Today we’re discussing more changes to the new army pt test (ACFT). The Army has been updating its physical fitness standards and ACFT test, and it’s now in beta.
The new army pt test score chart has six events that test a soldier’s physical fitness & abilities (muscular strength, power & endurance). They are the hand release push-up, plank, spring drag carry, 2-mile run, standing power throw, and the deadlift event.
There are Alternative ACFT Events for soldiers with a permanent profile; swimming, walking, rowing, and biking.
Changes have been coming left and right here and there to make things easier to test it, to see what works, what doesn’t work, to try to make it fair, but also something that’s going to test our soldiers to make sure they’re fit to serve in the Army.
The latest changes mean we might return to ACFT standards by MOS, which is a good move, meaning each US Army MOS will have different physical fitness requirements and standards.
The ACFT was initially based on the soldier’s Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) when it was first released, but that changed in 2020. So now, the minimum standards and requirements will vary depending on the MOS.
So if you’re in a specific type of unit or MOS, you would have a minimum standard requirement. If you are in a more physically demanding MOS or department, then the minimum standard requirements for your test increase slightly.
The ACFT test has one set standard for the entire Army, regardless of your MOS.
The Secretary of the Army mentions that they are considering returning to MOS-driven ACFT. But, of course, they have yet to say if they will do it or not.
A soldier in an admin-type position, a surgeon, or a soldier in a medical field doesn’t need the same ACFT standards as a special forces soldier, a ranger, or even an infantryman. I agree with this view, and it is a good thing to do.
It would be best if you held an admin clerk individual to a different standard than someone in the ranger or infantry division who must carry a big rucksack.
Some people will tweak this and think I’m advocating having fat bodies and lazy people in these admin positions. But, no, that’s not what I’m saying, and I’m sure that’s not what the Army will do either.
You still need to set a reasonable minimum standard across the board for all soldiers in the Army to ensure they are in good physical shape, even if they are in admin roles. So if they come into a situation where they’re on a convoy and get ambushed, they could still hold their own.
Based on the job, if you’re in a more physically demanding MOS, such as lifting things, or you have to do many cardio-type things like road marches or possibly chasing down a criminal, those should have a higher ACFT standard.
They should keep the gender and age-neutral aspect because it’s a good part of it, where it doesn’t matter if you’re a male or female. So if you’re going to be doing something like Infantry Special Forces, Rangers, whatever, it shouldn’t matter if you’re a male or female; you should be able to meet the requirements for the job.
If you can’t meet the requirements for the job, there are plenty of other jobs. They can keep the standards for both males and females for the job; it should be the same standards as the standards for the job.
In conclusion, ACFT standards by MOS, MOS would be a good move. We’ll see how this plays out, as no final decision has been made; we will probably wait until this year’s end.
If you want to read more content, the changes to the ACFT and ACFT 3.0, check those articles.
Born and raised in Bozeman, Montana, he graduated from George State University with an MBA in Actuarial Science. His hobbies include beach volleyball, hiking, fishing, and lifting weights
George is also a certified nutritionist with a passion for health and fitness.
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