“Army Strong” is not just a slogan, but for soldiers, this is a requirement for on-duty.
this US Army All active soldiers are required to pass rigorous fitness tests to prove their physical abilities. Over the years, there were multiple versions of the test – the Army recently announced a new version.
On June 1, 2025, the military branch will launch new Army fitness test (ACFT) serves as a replacement for the current Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT).
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According to the Army press release, the new test will introduce updated scoring criteria that emphasize “ready and combat effectiveness” based on “18-month data analysis and feedback from thousands of test iterations.”
Soldiers will have to meet new stern requirements by January 1, 2026 without facing “adverse action”.
The U.S. Army requires all active soldiers to prove their physical abilities by passing rigorous fitness tests. (iStock)
The stern score is recorded in Basic training for soldiers The Army conducted preliminary training to officials on its website.
Active-duty soldiers must complete two exams a year, while Army Reserve soldiers and Army National Guard must create scores once a year.
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“The stern is designed to improve soldiers’ preparations and ensure Physical standards (and) prepare soldiers for the requirements of modern warfare,” Major Christopher Mullinax, senior leader of the Army Headquarters and deputy chief of staff, said in a press release.
“It emphasizes overall fitness for training targeting specific events and is based on performance.”
Recruiting received physical exercise on September 14, 2024 at the training center of the third independent assault brigade in Dnipro, Ukraine. (Getty Image)
The rating requirements for the new test are even more demanding, while the soldiers of combat roles meet the highest standards.
Release notes: “The combat criteria are gender neutrality of 21 direct combat roles, a change designed to ensure fairness and operational readiness.”
5 components of the test
The stern includes the following five events, as described on the Army website.
1. Triple training maximum deadlift
In this challenge, soldiers must use 60 pounds of hexagonal poles and plates to increase their maximum weight by 3 times.
This move evaluates muscle strength, balance and flexibility.
“It’s possible – but only in smart, progressive training.”
“The deadlift requires a person to recruit hip and hamstring strength to lift the bar from the ground to waist height,” said certified personal trainer Miles Hill. Boxing coach Rumble in New York City. “This is the most effective technique to pick up heavy objects from the ground.”
Dr. Hooman Melamed, an orthopedic spine surgeon from Beverly Hills and sports medicine expert, warned that deadlifts can also be dangerous for civilians.
Army soldiers must complete a scheduled two-mile run on a flat outdoor route to test aerobic endurance. (iStock)
“If your posture or form is not there, the risk of the lower back and hips is high – for some people it can be a career injury.”
2. Release push-ups by hand
Soldiers must use the appropriate technique to complete as many hand-release push-ups in two minutes using as many techniques as possible.
“Hand release push-ups require a person to fall all the way to the ground, lift his hand in the air for a second, and then push himself onto a high board,” Hill said.
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Melamed noted that while manual release push-ups are great for building upper body strength, if the person is not strong, sudden force can damage the shoulders.
Hand Release Pushup Test Muscle endurance and flexibility.
3. Sprint-Drag-Carry
In the case of Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC), the soldier’s mission is to complete five 50-meter shuttle buses (Sprint, drag, side, outside, carry, carry), using two 40-pound kettlebells and a 90-pound sled.
“Sprint – Carrying is probably the toughest sequence here because it requires explosive strength, muscle endurance and Cardiovascular endurance,” Hill said.
“The combat criteria are sexual behaviors of 21 direct combat roles, a change designed to ensure fairness and operational readiness,” Army Release said. (cecilie_arcurs)
Melamed calls SDC a “brutal test of speed and explosion capability.”
“If you are not restricted, you can have hamstrings or pulling things,” he said.
4. board
Soldiers must maintain proper board position as long as possible to test muscle endurance and balance.
“The planks are the final test of the core Strength and endurance“Because it requires a person to keep weight as long as possible. It can be challenging, but it’s the time requirement that determines the challenge,” Hill said.
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Melamed noted that while the move seems simple, holding the right planks is extremely challenging. “It exposes weaknesses in the back, core and shoulder straps.”
5. Two miles
Soldiers must complete the schedule Two-mile run In a flat outdoor course for aerobic endurance testing.
“For any sturdy person, two miles of running is relatively easy – but the time limit is what makes it challenging,” Hill said.
In the case of Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC), the soldier’s mission is to complete five 50-meter shuttle buses (Sprint, drag, side, outside, carry, carry), using two 40-pound kettlebells and a 90-pound sled. (iStock)
Not included anymore, this is part of the previous version of the test version.
“We eliminated the throw of standing strength because it does not effectively promote fitness and readiness,” Mullinax said.
“In addition, it presents an increased risk of overuse damage and encourages soldiers to focus on technology rather than showing real power.”
How difficult is it?
According to Dr. Jason Perry, MD, the resilience of exercise or fitness tests relative to the overall adaptability of an individual, according to Dr. Jason Perry, MD, Sports medicine physician in Deerfield Beach, Florida and Baptist Health Orthopedic Care.
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“In general, the stern is challenging, but not impossible for the average person with a basic fitness base,” Perry, who has nothing to do with the Army, told Fox News Numbers.
“It is designed to test whole body strength, muscle endurance, speed, agility and cardiovascular endurance – all elements are essential for combat preparation, but also with Functional fitness For civilians. ”
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The stern is more demanding than a typical gym workout because it combines different pHysterical realms He said, going into a test.
“It’s mild, but not easy, compared to elite athletic training,” Perry added.
During the maximum duration of three repetitions, the soldier must use a 60-pound hexagonal rod and plate to increase the maximum weight. (iStock)
He said this test range is very far for civilians who regularly train, run, or perform functional exercises such as CrossFit or HIIT.
For a civilian who exercises three to four times a week, the stern is “realistically realized” with a focus on training over eight to 12 weeks.
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“About 30% to 50% of healthy, recreationally active adults may have little or no moderate training,” he predicts. Chronic conditions There will be more difficult times and may take an eight to 12-week (or possibly longer) conditional plan to pass. ”
Melame is not very optimistic, with less than 5% of civilians expected to pass through the stern.
“If you try this kind of preparation, you can be seriously injured.”
“These are not weekend exercises – it’s military level adjustments,” he told Fox News Digital. “You have to work hard to get to the level of training that intensity.”
Experts also pointed out that there is one Psychological components To test, but just talking about mentality is not enough.
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“If you try this kind of preparation, you can be seriously hurt.” “It’s possible – but only through intelligent, progressive training. You have to work harder.”
“This test is as important as strategy and recovery, and is related to raw power.”
