Can you pass the new Army fitness test?

“Army Strong” is more than just a tagline — for soldiers, it’s a requirement for duty.The U.S.Army requires that all active-duty soldiers prove their physical prowess by passing a rigorous fitness test.

There have been multiple versions of the test over the years, and the Army recently announced that a new version has been adopted.On June 1, 2025, the military branch will roll out its new Army Fitness Test (AFT) as a replacement for the current Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). The new test, based on “18 months of data analysis and feedback from thousands of test iterations,” will introduce updated scoring standards that emphasize “readiness and combat effectiveness,” according to an Army press release.Soldiers will have until Jan.1, 2026, to meet the new AFT requirements without facing “adverse actions.”AFT scores are recorded during basic training for soldiers and initial training for officers, the Army states on its website.Active-duty soldiers are required to complete the test twice a year, while soldiers in the Army Reserve and Army National Guard must record scores once a year.“The AFT is designed to improve soldier readiness and ensure physical standards [and] prepare soldiers for the demands of modern warfare,” said Sgt.

Maj Christopher Mullinax, senior enlisted leader, deputy chief of staff for Operations, Army Headquarters, in the release. “It emphasizes holistic fitness over event-specific training and is grounded in performance.”Scoring requirements are more demanding for the new test, with soldiers in combat roles held to the highest standards.“Combat standards are sex-neutral for the 21 direct combat roles, a change designed to ensure fairness and operational readiness,” the release states.The AFT consists of the following five events, as described on the Army’s website.In this challenge, the soldier must lift the maximum weight possible three times using a 60-pound hex bar and plates.This move assesses musc...