What Is the Army Fitness Test (AFT)?
The Army Fitness Test (AFT) is the official physical fitness assessment for all U.S. Army soldiers. It replaced the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) on June 1, 2025, reducing the test from 6 events to 5 by removing the Standing Power Throw.
The AFT measures functional strength, muscular endurance, aerobic capacity, and anaerobic power across five events that reflect the physical demands of modern military service. Every soldier — active duty, reserve, and National Guard — is required to pass the AFT at regular intervals throughout their career.
AFT standards are published in Army Directive 2025-06 and FM 7-22. Standards effective June 1, 2025 with Combat MOS standards effective January 1, 2026 (Active Duty) and June 1, 2026 (Reserve/National Guard).
The 5 Army AFT Events
Every soldier completes all 5 events in a single test session in this order:
1. 3-Rep Max Deadlift (MDL)
Lift the maximum weight you can for 3 consecutive reps. You get three attempts — your best single weight counts. Minimum 60 points: 140 lbs. Maximum 100 points: 340 lbs or more. The deadlift is the only pure strength event on the AFT.
2. Hand-Release Push-Ups (HRP)
As many hand-release push-ups as possible in 2 minutes. At the bottom of every rep, both hands must fully leave the floor. Minimum 60 points: 10 reps. Maximum 100 points: 60+ reps. Soldiers who train standard push-ups often underperform here because the hand-release significantly slows each rep.
3. Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC)
5 x 50-meter shuttles: Sprint, drag a 90-lb sled, lateral shuffle, carry two 40-lb kettlebells, sprint. Lower time earns more points. Minimum 60 points: under 3:00. Maximum 100 points: under 1:33. The SDC is the most commonly failed event for soldiers new to the AFT.
4. Plank (PLK)
Hold a forearm plank for as long as possible with hips level and body rigid. Minimum 60 points: 1:30. Maximum 100 points: 3:40 or more. The plank is the most underestimated event — soldiers who skip plank-specific training routinely fail it.
5. 2-Mile Run (2MR)
A timed 2-mile run on a flat measured course. Minimum 60 points: under 21:00 for most age groups. Maximum 100 points: under 13:22. The run has the highest score variance of all 5 events — improving your run time produces the most total points per unit of training effort.
Army AFT Passing Standards
Two standards apply based on your Military Occupational Specialty. For the complete breakdown including the implementation timeline and failure consequences, see the Army AFT Standards 2026 guide. The per-event minimum is 60 points for all soldiers. The difference is in the total score requirement and how scoring tables are applied.
| Standard | Min Per Event | Min Total | Max Score | Who It Applies To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Standard | 60 pts | 300 pts | 500 pts | All non-Combat MOS soldiers |
| Combat MOS Standard | 60 pts | 350 pts | 500 pts | 21 designated combat-arms MOSs |
| Fail | <60 pts any event | <300 / <350 | — | Administrative flag applied |
A soldier who scores 100 on four events but 59 on the Plank has failed the AFT. There is no averaging. No exceptions. This is why diagnosing and fixing your weakest event is the most important preparation step.
AFT Performance Categories and Promotion Points
Beyond pass/fail, the AFT uses performance categories for promotion points and Army physical fitness awards. Scoring higher directly affects your career.
| Category | Score Range | Promotion Points | Career Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extensive | 450 – 500 | 120 pts | Maximum promotion points — highly competitive |
| Significant | 400 – 449 | 100 pts | Above standard — strong promotion record |
| Moderate | 350 – 399 | 80 pts | Meets Combat MOS minimum |
| Baseline | 300 – 349 | 60 pts | General Standard pass — minimum acceptable |
| Fail | <300 or any event <60 | 0 pts | Flag applied — no promotion actions |
Soldiers scoring 465 or above are exempt from Army body fat standards. This exemption applies as long as the soldier maintains the threshold on subsequent recorded tests.
AFT vs the Old ACFT: What Changed?
The AFT replaced the ACFT effective June 1, 2025. ACFT scores expired September 30, 2025 and are no longer valid for promotion, compliance, or any personnel action. Here is the direct comparison:
| Feature | ACFT (Retired) | AFT (Current 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Events | 6 (included Standing Power Throw) | 5 (SPT removed) |
| Max Score | 600 points | 500 points |
| General Standard Min | 300 pts | 300 pts |
| Combat MOS Min | 350 pts | 350 pts |
| Score Validity | Expired Sept 30, 2025 | Current |
How to Use the Army AFT Calculator
The free Army AFT calculator at MilitaryFitnessCalc.com uses the official Army scoring tables from FM 7-22 and Army Directive 2025-06. To use it:
1. Select your age group and MOS category (General or Combat).
2. Enter your raw performance for each event — deadlift weight in lbs, push-up reps, SDC time in mm:ss, plank time in mm:ss, and run time in mm:ss.
3. Your exact point score for each event, total score, pass/fail status, performance category, and promotion point tier display instantly.
Use it before your test to set targets. Use it after your test to understand your score. Use it during training to calculate how much improvement in one event changes your total.