The United States Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) is the fitness test for the United States Army. It was designed to better reflect the stresses of a combat environment, to address the poor physical fitness of recruits, and to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries for service members. It consists of six events. Each event is graded on a scale from 0 to 100 points. A minimum of 60 points is required to pass each event. The maximum score is a 600. The test is the US Army's fitness test of record since October 2022. [1]
The ACFT was developed to more closely measure "combat-readiness", after it was found that more battlefield evacuations were performed during the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan due to musculoskeletal injuries than were due to the ongoing fighting. [2] Such injuries may also be a significant contributing factor in the attrition rate for current service members. [3]
It was also designed to address the "declining health and fitness standards of incoming recruits". [4] [lower-alpha 1] Studies leading up to the release of the new standard indicated an "increase of overweight recruits who can't pass entry-level physical fitness tests" as well as an increase in injuries resulting from the poor physical condition of new soldiers. [6]
The ACFT began development in 2013, and was based on a set of 113 essential "warrior tasks and drills" laid out in army doctrine, as well as feedback from those who had completed tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. [7] [8] The test replaced the United States Army Physical Fitness Test in October 2022. [1] In 2019, the new test was fielded with 63 Reserve and National Guard units. [9] It is the first change in the US Army physical fitness test in four decades. [2]
Before being finalized, the ACFT went through several changes. Such changes included removal of the "leg tuck" and replacing it with a plank and changing scores to be age- and gender-dependent. Initially, the ACFT was planned to be scored without regard for age and gender. [3] Instead, soldiers were assigned to one of three tiers based on their military occupational specialty. [3] However, this 'do-not-adjust' policy caused a debate whether it would penalize women and overshadow expertise and intellectual preparations. [10] Eventually, age- and gender- based scoring was introduced.
The ACFT is intended to more closely mimic physical tasks and stresses associated with combat. [11] It is designed to measure "power, speed, agility ... balance [and] muscular and aerobic endurance". [7]
The test consists of six athletic events: [2] [3]
It is graded in a scale with a maximum score of 600 points. In August 2019, a member of the 22nd Chemical Battalion became the first soldier to record a perfect score, beating out the previous record of 597, set in June by a member of the Kentucky Army National Guard. [12] [13]
The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution. The oldest and most senior branch of the U.S. military in order of precedence, the modern U.S. Army has its roots in the Continental Army, which was formed on 14 June 1775 to fight the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783)—against the British for independence before the United States was established as a country. After the Revolutionary War, the Congress of the Confederation created the United States Army on 3 June 1784 to replace the disbanded Continental Army. The United States Army considers itself a continuation of the Continental Army, and thus considers its institutional inception to be the origin of that armed force in 1775.
Military recruit training, commonly known as basic training or boot camp, refers to the initial instruction of new military personnel. It is a physically and psychologically intensive process, which resocializes its subjects for the unique demands of military employment.
Physical fitness is a state of health and well-being and, more specifically, the ability to perform aspects of sports, occupations and daily activities. Physical fitness is generally achieved through proper nutrition, moderate-vigorous physical exercise, and sufficient rest along with a formal recovery plan.
A Physical Readiness Test, also known as a Physical Fitness Assessment, or PFA, is conducted by the United States Navy to determine the physical fitness of their sailors.
The Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) was designed to test the muscular strength, endurance, and cardiovascular respiratory fitness of soldiers in the United States Army. Soldiers were scored based on their performance in three events consisting of the push-up, sit-up, and a two-mile run, ranging from 0 to 100 points in each event. A minimum score of 60 in each event was required to pass the test. The soldier's overall score was the sum of the points from the three events. If a soldier passed all three events, the total could have range from 180 to 300.
The United States Marine Corps requires that all Marines perform a Physical Fitness Test (PFT) and a Combat Fitness Test (CFT) once each calendar year. Each test must be held at an interval of six months. The same standards apply for reservists. The PFT ensures that Marines are keeping physically fit and in a state of physical readiness. It consists of pull-ups or push-ups, planks, and a 3-mile run.
United States Marine Corps Recruit Training is a 13-week program, including in & out-processing, of recruit training that each recruit must successfully complete in order to serve in the United States Marine Corps.
Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP) is a program of the United States Army National Guard designed to introduce new recruits to the fundamentals of the U.S. Army before they leave to basic combat training (BCT) and advanced individual training (AIT). The motto is "Paratus Preliator".
United States Army Basic Combat Training (BCT) is the recruit training program of the United States Army, for service in the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, or the Army National Guard.
The Combat Fitness Test (CFT) is an annual physical fitness test of the United States Marine Corps. The purpose of the CFT is to assess a Marine's physical capacity in a broad spectrum of combat related tasks. The CFT was specifically designed to evaluate strength, stamina, agility, and coordination as well as overall anaerobic capacity. The CFT is a complement to the USMC Physical Fitness Test and measures the functional elements of combat fitness through execution of a series of events that represent every Marine's combat experience, emphasizing the ethos of "every Marine is a rifleman." All active duty and reserve Marines are required to conduct the Combat Fitness Test every year between the dates 1 July to 1 January. The test is designed to test each Marine's ability to perform in a high-intensity setting. The British Army formerly used a test of the same name which is currently known as the Annual Fitness Test.
The burpee, a squat thrust with an additional stand between repetitions, is a full body exercise used in strength training. The movement itself is primarily an anaerobic exercise, but when done in succession over a longer period can be utilized as an aerobic exercise.
A loaded march is a relatively fast march over distance carrying a load and is a common military exercise.
Basic Training in the United States Army is the initial training for new military personnel typified by intense physical activity, psychological stress and the development of social cohesion. The United States Army Center for Initial Military Training (USACIMT) was created in 2009 under the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command to oversee training related issues.
The Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) is a standard physical fitness test used by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) to test the basic components of physical fitness and motor skills of their members. The IPPT is applicable to all eligible persons with National Service (NS) liability, including Full-Time National Servicemen (NSFs), Operationally-Ready National Servicemen, and regulars. The test presently consists of three stations: sit-up, push-up, and 2.4 km (1.5 mi) run. Based on their age, sex and vocation, persons taking the IPPT are required to meet certain standards under the IPPT Standards and Scoring System in order to pass the test. As of October 2013, about 116,000 people take the IPPT every year. Personnel who have a Physical Employment Standards (PES) status of B3/4, C or E are exempt from taking the IPPT.
The plank is an isometric core strength exercise that involves maintaining a position similar to a push-up for the maximum possible time.
In the British Army, the Annual Fitness Test is designed to assess soldiers' lower and upper body strength and endurance. The test was formerly known as the Combat Fitness Test – and is still colloquially known by soldiers as the CFT. The test involves a fast-paced march at fifteen minutes per mile, in full combat gear including the SA80 personal weapon, across rough terrain and on roads. The exact weight of the equipment carried depends upon the type of unit and it is usually 15 kg to 25 kg dependent on service or arm, but all will cover a distance of 8 miles in less than 2 hours.
The Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (AROTC) is the United States Army component of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. It is the largest Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program which is a group of college and university-based officer training programs for training commissioned officers for the United States Army and its reserves components: the Army Reserves and the Army National Guard. There are over 30,000 Army ROTC cadets enrolled in 274 ROTC programs at major universities throughout the United States. These schools are categorized as Military Colleges (MC), Military Junior Colleges (MJC) and Civilian Colleges (CC).
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The Army Body Composition Program(ABCP) is a United States Army program that dictates height and weight standards for all Active Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve Soldiers; the ABCP is covered in Army Regulation (AR) 600-9. The program is designed to enhance and facilitate Soldier "readiness" and maintain optimal well-being and performance under all circumstances by instituting standards and guidelines designed to evaluate a Soldier's height, weight, and ability to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT).
Mark Thomas Esper is an American politician and manufacturing executive who served as the 27th United States secretary of defense from 2019 to 2020. A member of the Republican Party, he had previously served as the 23rd U.S. secretary of the Army from November 2017 to July 2019.