In June 2025, the U.S. Army officially replaced the old Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) and legacy fitness standards with the new Army Fitness Test (AFT). USAMM The AFT redefines how soldiers measure strength, endurance and readiness — and if you’re using an AFT calculator, it’s vital to understand exactly what this test includes.

---

What the AFT Tests — The Five AFT Events

The AFT consists of five events. Each of these is meant to assess a different domain of physical fitness, from core strength to cardiovascular endurance. USAMM

1. 3-Repetition Maximum Deadlift (MDL)

• You lift a hex-bar loaded with plates for three repetitions — testing lower-body strength, core strength, grip, balance and flexibility.
• Proper technique is essential: back flat, feet shoulder-width, controlled lift and return, with hips and knees extending correctly.

2. Hand-Release Push-Up (HRP)

• Do as many push-ups as possible in two minutes. The “hand-release” requires you to lift your hands off the ground briefly at the bottom of each rep before pressing up.
• This movement tests upper-body endurance and core stability — useful for tasks like carrying equipment or climbing.

3. Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC)

• A 250-meter shuttle combining sprinting, dragging a sled, lateral shuffles, carrying kettlebells, then sprinting again.
• This event evaluates anaerobic power, muscular endurance, agility, coordination — simulating physically demanding combat-style movements.

4. Plank (PLK)

• Hold a forearm plank position for as long as possible, maintaining correct form (straight body, aligned head-shoulder-hip-ankles) until form breaks. USAMM
• The plank tests core endurance and stability — essential for carrying loads, maintaining posture under stress, and preventing injuries.

5. Two-Mile Run (2MR)

• A timed two-mile run on a flat track or course. The run measures aerobic endurance — a core component of overall fitness and stamina.

---

Scoring: How AFT Is Graded

• Each event can score a minimum of 0 up to 100 points, with 500 points total maximum.
• To pass under the “general standard,” soldiers must earn at least 60 points per event, for a minimum total of 300 points.
• For combat-designated roles (combat specialties), a more demanding “combat standard” applies: a minimum total of 350 points with 60 minimum per event, using a sex-neutral, age-normed scoring chart for all genders. Illinois Publishing
• An interesting bonus: soldiers who score 465 or more are exempt from the Army’s body-fat standards, provided they score 80+ in each event. Army

---

Why AFT Was Introduced — And What Changed

• The move to AFT reflects a shift in priorities: instead of purely endurance or strength, AFT emphasizes readiness, full-body fitness, injury prevention, and combat-relevant functional fitness. Army
• AFT replaces the ACFT, which in turn replaced the older legacy fitness tests — the change acknowledges evolving understanding of what physical attributes are most important on today’s battlefield.
• By combining strength (deadlift, push-ups), anaerobic work (SDC), core endurance (plank), and aerobic capacity (run), AFT seeks a holistic approach — closer to real-world demands than traditional fitness tests.

---

How This Relates to Your AFT Calculator Page

If you’ve built an AFT calculator — whether for soldiers or civilians — here’s how the above helps:

• You should model five event inputs (MDL, HRP, SDC, Plank, 2-mile run).
• Use scoring formulas or thresholds based on sex, age, and whether the user is “general” or “combat-standard” — to match official requirements.
• Offer total-score evaluation plus pass/fail feedback: for general standard → pass if ≥ 300 & min 60/event; for combat standard → pass if ≥ 350 & min 60/event.
• (Optional) Provide extra insight: e.g. if user scores ≥ 465 & ≥ 80 per event, show note about potential exemption from body-fat standards (if mimicking official Army policy).