Tweaks to Army's Physical Fitness Test Are Relatively Modest
Army Combat Fitness Test at Fort Campbell
Military.com | By Steve Beynon
Published May 08, 2025 at 1:09pm ET
The Army has approved a series of revisions to its physical fitness test, recalibrating performance benchmarks in a modest and symbolic move that reflects mounting internal and political pressure over how the military measures fitness.
What began as an initiative to introduce gender-neutral standards for combat arms roles has gradually evolved into a servicewide adjustment. The new Army Fitness Test, or AFT, which will take effect in June, introduces incremental changes -- some stricter, some more lenient -- but in most cases, little different from the standards already in place.
The revisions follow a congressional mandate aimed at raising baseline requirements for combat-specific occupations, and coincide with a broader push from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has made physical readiness a hallmark of his early tenure. Hegseth has repeatedly emphasized the need for a fitter force, often echoing the refrain: "Fit, not fat."
"Army fitness standards have faced intense scrutiny," noted an internal memo reviewed by Military.com. "Concerns persist over the practicality of applying uniform standards across all ranks and roles. The Army intends to address these concerns through a robust communications campaign."
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/05/08/tweaks-armys-physical-fitness-test-are-relatively-modest.html
