The U.S. Army announced on April 22 the introduction of the new Combat Fitness Test (Combat Field Test, CFT). This represents an important update to its physical fitness program and is intended to align the fitness standards with the high demands of modern combat missions, according to the Army at the briefing. Overall, this approach aims not only to assess soldiers’ fitness but also to enhance readiness.
The rollout begins immediately with implementation slated for April 2026. The CFT is mandatory annually for active-duty soldiers in 24 designated military combat career paths. “The field combat test is a crucial step to ensure that our soldiers in the most physically demanding roles possess the necessary fitness to succeed on the modern battlefield,” said the (now former) Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. “It is about readiness, combat power, and the welfare of our soldiers.”
CFT comes to the Army Fitness Test
The CFT does not replace the general Army Fitness Test (AFT). Soldiers of the regular Army and the Reserve who have at least 365 days of active service must annually complete one of the two tests. All other reserve personnel in combat units complete a fitness test once per year, alternating between the AFT and the CFT. The CFT consists of seven disciplines that are performed without interruption and are scored based on total time. The disciplines include:
- 1.6-kilometer run
- 30 push-ups with a stop
- 100-meter sprint
- 16 repetitions of lifting an 18-kilogram sandbag onto a 165-centimeter-high platform
- Carrying two 19-liter water canteens of the U.S. Army over a distance of 50 meters, each weighing 18 kilograms
- A 50-meter movement drill consisting of 25 meters of crawling and a 25-meter sprint in three to five seconds
- Finishing again with a 1.6-kilometer run.
Age- and gender-independent standard
The soldiers must complete all disciplines of the test within a maximum of 30 minutes in combat uniform (BDU), combat boots, and a brown T-shirt. “This is not just about passing a test; it is a direct demonstration of our commitment to readiness and that our soldiers retain the upper hand in any deployment environment,” said the U.S. Army Sergeant Major, Michael Weimer. “We demand more from our battle group soldiers, and this test confirms their ability to meet that high standard.”
To give soldiers time to acclimate to the new test, during the initial 365-day diagnostic phase no disciplinary actions will be taken if the CFT is not passed on the first attempt. During this phase, soldiers may apply for a voluntary transfer to a non-combat specialty if they determine they cannot meet the standard. This allows the Army to retain valuable skills among its personnel.
The CFT establishes a uniform, mission-focused standard aligned with the demands of combat operations to ensure readiness and combat power. All soldiers in certain combat roles must meet the same criteria regardless of age or sex. The Army supports soldiers preparing for the CFT through command-led physical training programs, holistic health and fitness offerings, and a dedicated CFT website with additional information.
