The rumors are finally reality. If you’ve been scrolling through military forums or catching snippets of morning formations, you’ve probably heard the news: the ACFT is effectively dead, replaced by the Army Fitness Test (AFT). As of January 1, 2026, the transition is fully in force for the active component.
Honestly, the "yeet" is gone. The Standing Power Throw (SPT), that awkward 10-pound medicine ball toss that everyone loved to hate, has been scrapped. It’s a huge change. Sgt. Maj. Christopher Mullinax, the senior enlisted leader for Army G-3/5/7, recently noted that the throw just wasn’t moving the needle on combat readiness and carried a weirdly high risk for overuse injuries. So, the Army cut it.
We are back to a five-event test. But don’t think for a second that it’s getting easier. In fact, for a lot of people, the bar just got significantly higher.
The Core of the New US Army PT Test Standards
The AFT isn't just a rebrand of the old test; it’s a shift in how the Army views gender and job roles. For years, the debate over "sex-neutral" versus "gender-normed" standards dominated the headlines. The 2026 standards finally settle the matter with a split system.
Basically, if you’re in one of 21 designated combat specialties—think Infantry (11B), Combat Engineer (12B), or 13-series Artillery—you are now graded on a single, sex-neutral scale. This means men and women in those roles must meet the exact same physical benchmarks.
The "General Standard" still exists for everyone else. If you're a human resources specialist or a cook, your scoring is still normed by age and gender. But even then, the minimums have shifted. You’ve got to hit at least 60 points in every event, for a total of 300 points, to pass. If you're in those combat roles? You need 350.
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The Five Events You Have to Master
- 3-Repetition Maximum Deadlift (MDL): Still using the 60-pound hex bar. You get two attempts to find your max weight for three clean reps. It’s all about lower body power and grip.
- Hand-Release Push-Up (HRP): This one is a smoker. Two minutes to do as many as possible. You have to extend your arms fully at the bottom. No more "worming" your way up.
- Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC): Five 50-meter shuttles. Sprint, drag a 90-pound sled, lateral, carry two 40-pound kettlebells, and a final sprint. This is widely considered the hardest event on the test.
- Plank (PLK): The leg tuck is officially a distant memory. You’re holding a forearm plank for time. It’s a pure test of core stability.
- Two-Mile Run (2MR): The classic. It’s the final event, and by the time you reach it, your legs will feel like lead thanks to the SDC.
Why the Combat Standard is Changing Everything
The most controversial part of the new US Army PT test standards is the "Combat Specialty" requirement. This isn't just about passing; it’s about promotion. Starting in January 2026, if you’re on active duty in a combat MOS, you can’t even get promotion points unless your AFT score is recorded in the Digital Training Management System (DTMS) under these new, tougher rules.
The National Guard and Reserve have a bit more breathing room. Their deadline to meet the combat standard is June 1, 2026.
The Army is basically saying that the battlefield doesn't care about your age or gender. If you’re clearing a house or dragging a casualty, the weight of the gear doesn't change. Command Sgt. Maj. JoAnn Naumann has been vocal about this: the minimum passing standards for any group will not go down. In many cases—especially for women in combat roles—the minimums for the Deadlift and the Sprint-Drag-Carry have actually increased to align with the male scoring scale.
A New Way to Measure Body Fat
We can't talk about PT standards without talking about the "tape test." Alongside the AFT, the Pentagon has ditched the old height and weight tables. They’re moving to a Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR).
It’s pretty simple: your waist measurement can’t be more than half of your height. Specifically, the limit is a ratio of 0.55. If you’re above that, you’re looking at remedial programs or "fat camp."
There is a small silver lining, though. High performers on the AFT might get a little bit of leeway on body comp, but don't bet your career on it. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth made it clear in a 2025 memo that "high performance does not excuse non-compliance." You still have to look the part.
How to Actually Pass (and Max) the AFT
Look, training for a 2-mile run won't help you with a 340-pound deadlift. You have to train for the specific demands of the test.
For the MDL, you need to be doing heavy compound movements at least twice a week. Don't just do the hex bar; throw in some Romanian Deadlifts to build that posterior chain.
The Sprint-Drag-Carry is an anaerobic nightmare. The best way to prep for it is interval training. Sprinting 50 meters, resting for 30 seconds, and repeating it 10 times will do more for your SDC time than a 5-mile jog ever will.
And then there's the Plank. Most people fail because they forget to breathe or they let their hips sag. Practice "active" planks where you're squeezing your glutes and quads the whole time. It makes a difference.
Actionable Next Steps for Soldiers
- Identify Your Standard: Check if your MOS is one of the 21 "Combat Specialties." If it is, start training for a 350 total score immediately.
- Download the 2026 Scorecard: The Army has updated the points tables. A "60" in the push-up for a 20-year-old male is not the same as it was two years ago.
- Measure Your Ratio: Get a tape measure. If your waist is more than 50% of your height, you’re in the "danger zone" for the new WHtR policy.
- Schedule a Diagnostic: Don't let your first 2026 AFT be "for record." Take a diagnostic test with your unit to see where your weak points are before the NCOER/OER season hits.
The era of the "easy" PT test is over. Whether you’re an old-school 11B or a new recruit, these standards are designed to be a wake-up call. The focus has shifted from "can you do some push-ups?" to "can you survive a high-intensity combat engagement?" It’s a higher bar, but that’s the point.