Army Implements New Fitness Test with Gender-Neutral Standards

The U.S. Army is introducing the Army Fitness Test (AFT), which will replace the Army Combat Fitness Test and feature five events instead of six, notably removing the widely criticized standing power throw. The new AFT aims to improve warfighting readiness and soldier fitness by implementing gender-neutral, age-adjusted standards for soldiers in 21 combat roles, requiring a minimum of 60 points per event and an overall score of 350. Other soldiers will follow standards adjusted by age and sex, with a lower overall minimum. The AFT will be phased in starting June 2025, with new combat-role standards effective in January 2026 for active-duty and June 2026 for Reserve and National Guard. The changes are informed by RAND Corporation analysis and nearly a million test records, reflecting congressional directives for uniform combat standards across genders. The Army will issue further implementation guidance and adapt policy frameworks to ensure readiness and retention under the new test.