The three big changes
- 1.A new Combat Field Test for 24 combat specialties (Army Directive 2026-07).
- 2.The waist-to-height ratio replaced the tape test for body composition (Army Directive 2026-13).
- 3.The AFT 465 body fat exemption was rescinded. Fitness and body composition are now judged separately.
2026 Army Fitness Changes at a Glance
| Area | Before | Now |
|---|---|---|
| Fitness test of record | Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), 6 events | Army Fitness Test (AFT), 5 events, since 1 June 2025 |
| Combat requirement | Only the AFT, with a combat standard for some MOSs | Combat Field Test (7 events, pass/fail) for 24 combat specialties, plus the AFT |
| Body composition method | Tape / circumference test and height-weight tables (AR 600-9) | Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), the sole method, since 7 July 2026 |
| Body composition standard | Maximum body fat percentage, varied by age and sex | WHtR under 0.55, the same for every soldier |
| AFT body fat exemption | A 465+ AFT score exempted you from body fat standards | Rescinded. No AFT score exempts a soldier from the WHtR standard |
The AFT Is the Test of Record (Since June 2025)
The foundation is the Army Fitness Test, which replaced the Army Combat Fitness Test on June 1, 2025. It has five events, the deadlift, hand-release push-up, sprint-drag-carry, plank, and two-mile run, scored out of 500. That test itself did not change in 2026; everything below is what changed around it. For the current scoring, use the AFT calculator or the score chart.
New: The Combat Field Test
Army Directive 2026-07, signed 17 April 2026, created the Combat Field Test (CFT): a continuous, pass/fail sequence of seven events completed in 30 minutes, in ACUs and boots. It applies to soldiers in 24 designated combat specialties, who now take both the AFT and the CFT rather than one test. It is age and sex neutral and does not replace the AFT. Full details, including the event list and the 24 MOSs, are on the Combat Field Test page.
New: The Waist-to-Height Ratio Replaced the Tape Test
Army Directive 2026-13, effective July 7, 2026, is the biggest change to body composition policy in years. It rescinded the circumference tape test and the height and weight screening tables and made the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) the sole standard: waist measured at the navel divided by height, with under 0.55 passing, the same for every soldier. Calculate yours on the WHtR calculator.
Gone: The AFT 465 Body Fat Exemption
Under the old policy, a total AFT score of 465 or above exempted a soldier from body fat screening. Army Directive 2026-13 rescinded that exemption (formerly Army Directive 2025-17). Fitness and body composition are now assessed completely independently: a soldier can max the AFT and still be enrolled in the Army Body Composition Program if their WHtR is 0.55 or higher, and units must leave at least seven days between the AFT or CFT and a WHtR screening.
Timeline of the Changes
1 June 2025
The AFT replaces the ACFT as the test of record (Army Directive 2025-06).
1 January 2026
The AFT combat standard takes effect for the active component.
17 April 2026
The Combat Field Test is established for combat specialties (Army Directive 2026-07).
1 June 2026
The AFT combat standard takes effect for the National Guard and Reserve.
7 July 2026
The waist-to-height ratio replaces the tape test (Army Directive 2026-13).
16 April 2027
The Combat Field Test grace period ends; failures begin carrying administrative action.
For the directives themselves, the correct numbers, and where to find the official PDFs, see our AFT regulation reference.