Why the Army Is Adding a Second Fitness Test for Combat

Why the Army is adding a second fitness test for combat

The Army says it is adding an annual, combat-focused fitness test for soldiers in front-line specialties, creating a tougher, gender-neutral standard on top of the service’s existing baseline fitness examination. The new Combat Field Test will apply to soldiers in specialties such as infantry, armor, Special Forces and explosive ordnance disposal, as well as to artillery officers, forward observers, combat engineers, engineering officers and Arm…

US Army announces new gender-neutral Combat Field Test

…for Combat specialty soldiers. Goes in line with there should not be two standards for combat duty.  ( US Army) The U.S. Army today announced the implementation of the new Combat Field Test (CFT), a major update to its physical readiness program designed to align fitness standards with the demanding realities of modern combat. Implementation will begin in April 2026. The CFT is required annually for active-duty Soldiers serving in 24 designated…

Army Announces New Fitness Test for Combat Specialties

Army Announces New Fitness Test for Combat Specialties jlieberher Fri, 04/24/2026 - 12:20 A new seven-event fitness test has been implemented by the Army and will be required annually for soldiers in 24 selected combat MOSs, the Army announced in a news release.  Known as the Combat Field Test, it is described as a “major update” to the Army’s physical readiness program that’s designed to align fitness standards with the demands of combat, the r…