The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) not only helps maintain the physical and mental well-being of Soldiers to ensure readiness, but it also plays a large role in the Army’s fitness culture.
Each event in the ACFT is designed to assess and improve your physical strength, mental toughness, coordination, and flexibility, while helping to prevent injuries.
Lift the maximum weight possible three times using a 60-pound hex bar and plates.
Throw a 10-pound medicine ball backward and overhead as far as possible.
Complete as many hand-release push-ups as possible in two minutes, using the proper technique.
Do five 50-meter shuttles (sprint, drag, lateral, carry, sprint) as fast as possible using two 40-pound kettlebells, and a 90-pound sled.
The ACFT is scored using different requirements based on gender and age. Download the scoring scale to see what’s expected for each event.
Building your fitness will help you feel prepared and confident in meeting the Army’s fitness standards. Here are some tips to ensure you’re physically ready for any challenge:
"I’m not in good enough shape."
Everyone comes to Basic Training at different levels. The Army prepares them to become Soldiers.
The Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) System focuses on the total health and wellness of every Soldier by combining physical fitness with proper sleep, nutrition, and spiritual health.
Athletic and training facilities are not only available to help you stay physically fit and prepared, but also to help prevent injury and improve rehabilitation.
With counseling, spiritual services, and retreats, there are a variety of opportunities available to ensure you feel good both mentally and spiritually.
You’ll have access to Army recreational sports leagues, as well as trails, parks, pools, courts, and other facilities on base to stay active.
The Army makes proper sleep and nutrition a priority to ensure you feel energized every day.
From infantry to medical, you’ll need to maintain your mental health and physical fitness regardless of your career field.
Push beyond
Push beyond
your limits.
your limits.
Physical fitness is not only necessary for a career in the Army, but it also becomes part of the Army lifestyle.
Unit Physical Training, or Unit PT, is part of the daily Army experience and ensures all Soldiers are ready to perform their jobs. It also helps Soldiers maintain a minimum fitness level, while building relationships with team members.
Most centers provide athletic and training facilities that include exercise and weight rooms, and various sports-related courts.
The Army has several sports leagues to participate in, from football, basketball, and golf, to bowling, fishing, and more.
In addition to running and biking, some bases have parks, pools, lakes, hiking trails, and other activities you can enjoy to maintain your health and wellbeing.
As an enlisted Soldier, you’ll attend Basic Training where you’ll be expected to complete drills, navigate obstacle courses, and learn various maneuvering techniques.
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A minimum passing score for each ACFT event is 60 points, for a total score of 360 for all six events. The required minimum score is the same for all Soldiers, regardless of career field.
After you join, if a permanent medical condition prevents you from completing the ACFT, there are alternate events you can do for your assessment, like walking or swimming instead of the two-mile run.
For temporary medical conditions, you can use alternate events to train. But you won’t take the scored ACFT until you’re medically cleared.
If you don’t pass a recorded-score ACFT, the Army will provide you with support and training to improve your score, and you’ll have a chance to retake the ACFT. If you don’t pass two consecutive recorded-score ACFTs, you may be involuntarily separated from the Army.
Yes, if you join the Army on a path to commission as an Officer, you will take the ACFT as a cadet, and every year after.
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