U.S Army’s Fitness Test: The U.S. military is making big changes to how it tests soldiers’ fitness for combat jobs. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered that all soldiers both men and women must now meet the exact same physical standards to serve in combat units.
No More Different Standards for Men and Women
Before this change, women and men had slightly different fitness requirements. Now, everyone must pass the same tough tests to qualify for combat roles. Hegseth explained this decision clearly “All combat roles are open to men and women BUT they must all meet the same, high standard. No standards will be lowered AND all combat roles will only have sex-neutral standards. Common sense.” Reported by TOI.
Each branch of the military has 60 days to explain how they will follow these new rules. It is not yet clear if women will have to match the old men’s standards or if new tests will be created.
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U.S Army’s Fitness Test: What is It?
Right now, all U.S. soldiers take the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). This test checks if soldiers are strong, fast, and fit enough for battle. Both men and women take the same test, but until now, they could pass with different scores.
The test includes six hard exercises:
- 3 Repetition Maximum Deadlift: Soldiers lift a heavy bar (starting at 60 pounds) as many times as they can to show their leg and back strength.
- Standing Power Throw: Soldiers throw a 10-pound ball backward as far as possible to test explosive power.
- Hand Release Push-Ups: Soldiers do as many push-ups as possible in two minutes, lifting their hands off the ground each time.
- Sprint-Drag-Carry: Soldiers run, drag weights, and carry objects back and forth over 50 meters to test speed and endurance.
- Plank: Soldiers hold a push-up position (but on their elbows) for as long as possible.
- Two-Mile Run: Soldiers run two miles on flat ground to check their stamina.
Army Combat Fitness Test Events Scoring Scale
The scoring scales for the test vary by age group and gender. There are age groups from 17-21, 22-26, 27-31, 32-36, 37-41, 42-46, 47-51, 52-56, 57-61 and over 62.
Before, men and women could pass the test with different scores. For example:
- In the deadlift, a young male soldier (17-21 years old) needed to lift 340 pounds for a perfect score, while a woman of the same age only needed 210 pounds.
- In the standing power throw, men had to throw the ball 12.6 meters, but women only needed 8.4 meters for full points.
These differences existed for all age groups. Now, Defense Secretary Hegseth wants the same passing scores for everyone.
Combat jobs in the military are dangerous and require extreme fitness. If soldiers are not strong enough, it could put their lives and their team’s safety at risk. By making the standards equal, the military ensures that every soldier in combat can handle the job.
Some people worry that fewer women will qualify under these stricter rules. Others say it is fair because battlefields do not have “easier” versions for women.
The Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines now have two months to decide how to apply these new rules. They might Keep the current test but make women meet the old men’s standards or create a new, tougher test for everyone.
Either way, the message is clear: If you want to fight in combat, you must be just as strong as anyone else no exceptions.
This change is part of the military’s push to keep high standards while giving everyone the same opportunities. As Hegseth said, it’s just “common sense.”
