When the ACFT is eventually implemented as a test of record, it will likely be the most assessed and criticized physical fitness test ever to be implemented in the history of the service. When you take this into account, it is clear the Army needed to make a change to the fitness test. In my almost 15 years of service, I've been to physical therapy twice for sports-related PT-induced injuries despite being in good physical shape. One needs only to look at the data on disability claims and medical retirements over musculoskeletal or sports injuries as a result of overuse. I would hope that, in the 41 years since the APFT was first implemented as a test of record, we have gained a greater understanding of physical science.Īfter 20 years of constant deployments in austere environments, it has become obvious the APFT has deficiencies in preparing soldiers to lift heavy equipment, sprint quickly and rapidly, and even move wounded soldiers under fire. But the rampant criticism of the ACFT prompts a question: Is there a physical fitness test that could overcome all that resistance to change? Regardless of how you may personally feel, there has to be an acknowledgment that the current Army Physical Fitness Test is flawed. If anything, the testing and implementation of the ACFT revealed what many Army leaders already knew - that physical readiness across the force is in a severe state of a lack of readiness.Ĭhange is hard. Installations closed gyms, and PT formations were discontinued. U.S.The implementation of this test has gone on in the unprecedented environment of COVID-19.Implementation of the ACFT will improve movement lethality, transform the Army’s fitness culture, reduce preventable injuries and associated attrition, and enhance Soldier mental toughness and stamina. The ACFT is part of the Army’s evolving Holistic Health and Fitness System to generate lethal Soldiers, who are physically ready and mentally strong. Final validations are expected to be complete by October 2020 (FY21).įundamental to Army readiness is the readiness of the Soldiers. The FY20 Army-wide diagnostic tests will provide data to inform policy to transform the Army’s human workforce for future combat. Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers will take it once. What continued efforts does the Army have planned?īeginning FY20 the Army will implement training and practical testing of the ACFT for all Soldiers in Basic Combat Training, Advanced Individual Training, One Station Unit Training, Warrant Officers Basic Leadership and the Basic Officer Leaders Course.Īctive-duty Soldiers, not in initial training units, will take the ACFT as a diagnostic twice during FY20. 1, 2019, all Soldiers in Initial Military Training will take the ACFT. MOS-specific physical requirements required for each job skill have been codified in the ACFT standards.īeginning Oct. Pilot testing was conducted at 63 battalions, comprised of a wide-range of specialties to gather data and feedback from across the force. ![]() ![]() ![]() Army Center for Initial Military Training conducted extensive research and a large field test to validate specific ACFT events. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine and U.S. What are the current and past efforts of the Army? ![]() Soldiers will have to meet the Gold Standard as a requirement to graduate from Basic Combat Training, Advanced Individual Training, One Station Unit Training, Basic Officer Leadership and the Warrant Officers Basic Leadership courses. Individual performance minimums will be set for each category. The ACFT standards are based on the physical demands of Soldier Military Occupational Specialties (MOS). The age- and gender-neutral ACFT will prepare Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve Soldiers for the occupational demands of combat. The Army approved and released the fiscal year 2020 scoring standards for the new Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). Army Training and Doctrine Command Public Affairs
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