Here’s a comprehensive summary of the new Army Fitness Test (AFT) regulation for 2025, including policy changes and implementation phases:
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📝 Overview of AFT Regulation
- The Army Fitness Test (AFT) replaces the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) as the official physical fitness test starting June 1, 2025
- The AFT includes five mandatory events: Deadlift, Hand-Release Push-Ups, Sprint-Drag-Carry, Plank, and Two-Mile Run
- It removes the Standing Power Throw due to injury concerns and limited combat relevance
⚖️ Scoring Standards
Combat MOSs
- One sex-neutral, age-normed standard.
- Minimum of 60 points in each event and 350 total
Non-Combat/Combat-Enabling MOSs
- Maintains sex- and age-normed scoring.
- Minimum of 60 points per event and 300 total
📆 Implementation Timeline
🔹 Phase I: Preparation Period
Dates: June 1 – August 31, 2025
- Commanders will counsel Soldiers on the new AFT standards.
- Units may conduct optional AFT assessments to familiarize Soldiers with the new scoring system.
- Focus is on education and readiness, not punishment.
🔹 Phase II: Transition Period
Dates: September 1 – December 31, 2025
- Voluntary reclassification opens for Soldiers in combat MOSs who score below 350 points.
- Soldiers are encouraged to meet the new standards or consider moving to a non-combat role.
- Final for-record AFTs under the transition policy may be conducted.
🔹 Phase III: Enforcement Begins
Date: January 1, 2026
- Mandatory compliance with AFT standards for Active-Duty Soldiers in combat MOSs.
- Those who do not meet the required standard (60 points per event, 350 total) must reclassify or face administrative action.
- No exceptions unless documented through valid permanent medical profiles.
🔹 Reserve and National Guard Enforcement
Date: June 1, 2026
- The combat MOS standards apply to Reserve and National Guard Soldiers starting this date.
- The same scoring thresholds and reclassification rules will be enforced.
| Phase | Date | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Phase I | June 1 – Aug 31, 2025 | Commanders counsel Soldiers, verify coding of scoring between 300–349, conduct optional AFT assessments |
| Phase II | Sep 1 – Dec 31, 2025 | Voluntary reclassification for those scoring below combat standard; final for-record AFT conducted |
| Phase III | Jan 1, 2026 onward | Mandatory reclassification begins; combat MOS Soldiers who fail the AFT must reclassify |
| June 1, 2026 | Date | Standards extended to Reserve and National Guard combat MOS Soldiers |
🪖 Policy Highlights
- No adverse action will be taken for failure before January 1, 2026, for active-duty Soldiers
- Afterward, Soldiers in combat MOS failing to meet standards may need reclassification or risk removal from their MOS.
- Support mechanisms are provided for Soldiers with medical profiles and commanders, including policy guidance and monitoring frameworks.
🎯 Why This Change?
- Goal: Strengthen warfighting readiness, reduce injury rates, and align fitness tests with combat demands.
- Data Driven: Based on RAND Corporation research and nearly 1 million ACFT records.
✅ Summary
The AFT regulation formalizes a new five-event fitness test, sets stricter combat MOS standards starting January 1, 2026, and introduces a phased implementation process to prepare Soldiers and units. It also defines guidance for Soldiers with medical profiles and supports ongoing readiness monitoring.