The Army Fitness Test (AFT) replaced the Army Combat Fitness Test as the Army's test of record on June 1, 2025. Its aerobic event is the 2-mile run. A 5,000-meter row, 12,000-meter bike, 1,000-meter swim or 2.5-mile walk is allowed only for Soldiers with a permanent medical profile. This guide uses Army sources checked on October 21, 2026.
What replaced the old Army fitness test?
The Army says the AFT became the official physical fitness test of record for all Soldiers on June 1, 2025, replacing the Army Combat Fitness Test. The Army removed the standing power throw because of its technical nature and injury risk, leaving five events, with the 2-mile run as the last one.
| AFT event | What you do |
|---|---|
| 3 repetition maximum deadlift | Deadlift the most weight you can three times |
| Hand-release push-up, arm extension | As many as possible in two minutes |
| Sprint-drag-carry | 5 x 50-meter shuttles: sprint, drag, lateral, carry, sprint |
| Plank | Hold a proper plank as long as possible |
| Two-mile run | Run two miles for time on a measured, generally flat course |
Source for the table and the date: U.S. Army: Army Fitness Test.
Who can take an alternate aerobic event instead of the 2-mile run?
Only Soldiers with a permanent medical profile that prohibits the 2-mile run. ATP 7-22.01 says alternate aerobic events are not authorized for temporary profiles; those Soldiers recover first and then take the regular five-event test. A permanently profiled Soldier must still pass an aerobic event and take every event the profile allows.
Source: ATP 7-22.01, March 2026. The Soldier's DA Form 3349 must state which events they can and cannot take (ATP 7-22.01).
What are the alternate aerobic events?
ATP 7-22.01 lists four: a 5,000-meter row, a 12,000-meter bike, a 1,000-meter swim and a 2.5-mile walk. To pass, the Soldier must finish in a time equal to the 60-point standard for their age and sex. A passing alternate event is required to pass a modified AFT.
| Event | Equipment or setting |
|---|---|
| 5,000-meter row | Stationary rowing machine with adjustable resistance and an odometer; you may pause but not get off |
| 12,000-meter bike | Stationary cycle ergometer; you may pause but not get off |
| 1,000-meter swim | Pool at least one meter deep; any stroke |
| 2.5-mile walk | Can use the 2-mile run course plus half a mile; breaking into a run ends the event as a no-go |
Source for the table: ATP 7-22.01, March 2026. Time standards are in the Army's current AFT scoring tables linked from the Army's AFT page.
What scores does the AFT require?
There are two standards. Combat specialties need a total of 350 with at least 60 points per event, scored the same for men and women but adjusted by age. Other specialties keep sex- and age-normed scoring with a required total of 300 and at least 60 points per event. Guard and Reserve Soldiers who fail have 180 days to retest.
Sources: U.S. Army: Army Fitness Test and ATP 7-22.01. Army Directive 2026-07 added the 12D, 89D and 89E specialties to the combat standard (Army Directive 2026-07).
What is the Combat Field Test?
A pass or fail test that Army Directive 2026-07 made a requirement for Soldiers in combat specialties. It is seven events done in sequence for one total time: a 1-mile run, 30 push-ups, a 100-meter sprint, 16 sandbag lifts, a water-can carry, a movement drill and a second 1-mile run.
The directive says the Combat Field Test is not a substitute for the AFT. Reserve Component Soldiers in combat specialties who are not AGR and not on active-duty orders of 365 days or more take one fitness test per calendar year, alternating between the AFT and the Combat Field Test (Army Directive 2026-07, April 2026).
What does this mean if you are preparing to join?
Train for the 2-mile run, not a substitute. Before you ship to training, recruits take the Occupational Physical Assessment Test: a standing long jump, a seated power throw, a strength deadlift and an interval aerobic run. You must meet the physical demand category for your job before shipping.
ATP 7-22.01 says retests are unlimited after a training interval and results are valid for up to 90 days (ATP 7-22.01). After you join, the AFT is your test of record (U.S. Army AFT page).
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Sources
- Army Fitness Test, U.S. Army, retrieved October 21, 2026
- ATP 7-22.01, Holistic Health and Fitness Testing (March 12, 2026), Army Publishing Directorate, retrieved October 21, 2026
- Army Directive 2026-07, Army Physical Fitness Standards (April 17, 2026), Army Publishing Directorate, retrieved October 21, 2026