The ACFT, in its current state, requires a robust combination of gym equipment, including kettlebells, a sled, bumper plates and a medicine ball, and space for the two-mile run. Some Guard leaders interviewed fear the impractical nature for some units to administer a test will lead to fudging scores. But once the test goes live, failing it could lead to being booted from the force, while soldiers with high scores will have more job opportunities and can climb the ranks faster.īeyond the wide gender gap in performance, the sheer logistical hurdles of administering the six-event test have been a burden on leaders in the force - especially the Reserve and National Guard - who generally have limited access to the space and equipment to facilitate testing and training. Right now, scores do not adversely affect or positively impact a service member's career. The ACFT would be the first major overhaul to measuring a soldier's fitness in 40 years. Many soldiers interviewed by over the course of the past year agreed that there's no answer to the fitness test that will make everyone happy. With lingering questions about women's performance on the test, the Army is stuck between a rock and a hard place, juggling dueling goals of creating a fitter force while also trying to open more opportunities for women. Meanwhile, many male soldiers interviewed found the new test easier to pass than its predecessor but much more difficult to achieve a perfect score. Some changes, like allowing soldiers to substitute the leg tuck event for planking, have anecdotal evidence of slowly closing the gender gap. That startling data spurred Congress to delay the test until the Rand study could be completed. The Army hasn't had an official fitness test since September 2020, when the Army Physical Fitness Test, or APFT, was phased out.Įarly data of an early ACFT pilot obtained by showed half of the force's women couldn't pass the test and very few were scoring well. "The Army will make an announcement after Army senior leaders have had appropriate time to review RAND's findings and recommendations."
Gabriel Ramirez, an Army spokesperson, told in an email. "No final decisions have been made regarding the Army Combat Fitness Test," Lt. The test awaits final approval from Army Secretary Christine Wormuth, who during her confirmation hearing said she was concerned about the test's possible impact on retention of women in the force.
It is unclear how many tweaks are being made to the test following feedback from Capitol Hill. were delivered to lawmakers, two congressional aides told on the condition of anonymity, as they were not authorized to speak on the subject.
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