Overview of the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT)
The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) was introduced in 2019 to replace the previously used Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). The purpose of the ACFT is to provide a more comprehensive assessment of a soldier’s physical fitness and readiness for combat. The test is designed to measure a soldier’s strength, endurance, and mobility through a series of six events.
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The six events in the ACFT include the deadlift, standing power throw, hand-release push-ups, sprint/drag/carry, leg tuck, and a two-mile run. Each event is scored on a point system, with a maximum score of 600 points. The minimum passing score for each event varies based on the soldier’s military occupational specialty (MOS) and gender.
The ACFT is also designed to be gender- and age-neutral, ensuring that all soldiers, regardless of gender or age, are held to the same standard. The test is also designed to be more challenging than the APFT, with the goal of better preparing soldiers for the physical demands of combat.
Overall, the ACFT is a more comprehensive and challenging test than its predecessor, designed to ensure that soldiers are physically ready for the demands of combat. As the Army continues to evolve and adapt to new challenges and threats, the ACFT will continue to play a critical role in ensuring that soldiers are physically prepared to meet those challenges.
ACFT Events and Scoring Standards
Current ACFT Events and Scoring Standards
The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) is comprised of six events that gauge soldiers’ physical fitness and readiness. The events and their scoring standards are as follows:
1. Deadlift: This event assesses the soldier’s capacity to lift a weighted barbell from ground to standing position. The barbell’s weight varies based on the soldier’s gender and body weight. The maximum score for this event is 100 points.
2. Standing Power Throw: This event measures the soldier’s ability to throw a 10-pound medicine ball as far as possible. The maximum score for this event is 100 points.
3. Hand-Release Push-Up: This event examines the soldier’s upper body strength and endurance. The soldier must lower their body to the ground, release their hands, and then push back up to a starting position. The maximum score for this event is 100 points.
4. Sprint-Drag-Carry: This event measures the soldier’s ability to move quickly and efficiently while carrying heavy weights. The soldier must sprint 25 meters, drag a weighted sled back 25 meters, carry two 40-pound kettlebells back 25 meters, and then sprint another 25 meters. The maximum score for this event is 100 points.
5. Leg Tuck: This event evaluates the soldier’s core and grip strength. The soldier must hang from a pull-up bar and bring their knees up to touch their elbows as many times as feasible. The maximum score for this event is 100 points.
6. 2-Mile Run: This event measures the soldier’s endurance and cardiovascular fitness. The soldier must complete a 2-mile run in the shortest time feasible. The maximum score for this event is 100 points.
To pass the ACFT, soldiers must accomplish a minimum score of 60 points in each event. However, to be considered “highly qualified,” soldiers must accomplish a minimum score of 80 points in each event. The ACFT scoring standards are designed to challenge soldiers and ensure they are physically fit and ready for any mission.
How the NDAA ACFT Differs from the Previous APFT
The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) is the modern physical fitness test that has replaced the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). The ACFT differs from the APFT in a few ways.
Firstly, the ACFT is a more comprehensive test that measures a soldier’s overall physical fitness. The APFT consisted of only three events: push-ups, sit-ups, and a two-mile run. In contrast, the ACFT measures a soldier’s muscular strength, endurance, power, agility, and speed through six events: the deadlift, standing power throw, hand-release push-ups, sprint-drag-carry, leg tuck, and a two-mile run.
Secondly, the ACFT 4.0 has different standards for different military occupational specialties (MOS). This means that soldiers in physically demanding MOSs like infantry or combat arms will have higher standards to meet than soldiers in less physically demanding MOSs. This ensures that soldiers are physically ready for the demands of their specific job.
Thirdly, the ACFT has a gender- and age-neutral grading system. In the APFT, there were different standards for men and women, and older soldiers had lower standards to meet. In the ACFT, everyone is graded on the same standards regardless of gender or age.
Overall, the ACFT is a more comprehensive and challenging physical fitness test that better prepares soldiers for the physical demands of their job.
Training for the ACFT
To meet the new ACFT standards, soldiers will need to undergo specific training to prepare for the test. This training will include both physical conditioning and skill-building exercises.
Physical Conditioning
The ACFT is designed to test soldiers’ physical readiness, so physical conditioning is a vital component of training for the test. Soldiers will need to focus on developing their strength, endurance, and agility to perform well on the ACFT.
Strength Training: Soldiers will need to build their strength through weightlifting and resistance training exercises. This will help them to perform well on the deadlift, standing power throw, and other strength-based events.
Endurance Training: The ACFT includes events that test soldiers’ cardiovascular endurance, such as the two-mile run and the sprint-drag-carry. Soldiers will need to engage in endurance training to build up their stamina and improve their performance on these events.
Agility Training: The ACFT includes events that test soldiers’ agility and coordination, such as the shuttle run and the leg tuck. Soldiers will need to engage in agility training exercises to improve their performance on these events.
Skill-Building Exercises
In addition to physical conditioning, soldiers will need to engage in skill-building exercises to prepare for the ACFT. These exercises will focus on the specific events included in the test.
Deadlift: Soldiers will need to practice proper deadlift form and technique to perform well on this event. They will also need to build up their strength through weightlifting exercises.
Standing Power Throw: Soldiers will need to practice their throwing technique to perform well on this event. They will also need to build up their upper body strength through weightlifting exercises.
Hand-Release Push-Up: Soldiers will need to practice proper push-up form and technique to perform well on this event. They will also need to build up their upper body strength through push-up variations.
Sprint-Drag-Carry: Soldiers will need to practice their sprinting, dragging, and carrying technique to perform well on this event. They will also need to build up their endurance and agility through running and functional fitness exercises.
Leg Tuck: Soldiers will need to practice their leg tuck technique to perform well on this event. They will also need to build up their core strength through core exercises.
Two-Mile Run: Soldiers will need to engage in endurance training to build up their stamina and improve their performance on this event.
In conclusion, training for the ACFT will require soldiers to engage in both physical conditioning and skill-building exercises. By focusing on strength, endurance, agility, and specific event techniques, soldiers can prepare themselves to meet the current ACFT standards.
The Future of the ACFT
The of ACFT seems hopeful with the ongoing advancements in technology and the increasing focus on health and fitness. The Army is continuing to refine and improve the ACFT to ensure it remains a reliable and accurate tool for measuring soldiers’ physical readiness.
One area of development is the incorporation of wearable technology, such as fitness trackers and heart rate monitors, into the ACFT. This technology could provide real-time data on a soldier’s performance and help identify areas for improvement.
Another potential future development is the use of virtual reality training to simulate ACFT tasks and scenarios. This could provide soldiers with a more immersive and realistic training experience, ultimately leading to better performance on the ACFT.
Overall, the future of the ACFT is bright, and the Army is committed to ensuring that it remains an effective tool for measuring soldiers’ physical readiness. As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more innovations and improvements to the ACFT in the years to come.
