The 5 Army Fitness Test Events
The AFT was developed by Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) and became effective June 1, 2025, replacing the Army Combat Fitness Test. The 5 events were selected to assess the physical demands of modern Army operations across strength, anaerobic capacity, and aerobic endurance.
| Event | Abbr | What It Tests | Equipment | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Rep Max Deadlift | MDL | Lower-body strength | Hex bar, weight plates, safety collars | Higher is better |
| Hand-Release Push-Up | HRP | Upper-body muscular endurance | None | Higher reps is better |
| Sprint-Drag-Carry | SDC | Anaerobic capacity and agility | Sled, kettlebells, stopwatch | Lower time is better |
| Plank | PLK | Core strength and isometric endurance | None | Higher time is better |
| Two-Mile Run | 2MR | Aerobic endurance | Stopwatch | Lower time is better |
MDL
Event 1: 3-Rep Max Deadlift (MDL)
What it tests
Lower-body strength, grip strength, and the ability to lift heavy loads safely. The MDL reflects the operational demand of lifting and moving heavy equipment, casualties, and supplies in combat environments.
Equipment
A hex bar (also called a trap bar), weight plates, and safety collars. The hex bar design allows a more natural lifting position than a straight barbell and reduces lower back stress. Soldiers train with the same equipment used on test day.
How it works
The soldier loads the hex bar to their chosen weight and performs exactly 3 repetitions with proper form. There is no time limit. The soldier has multiple attempts to reach their maximum weight. The heaviest successful 3-rep lift is recorded as the score.
Scoring
Higher weight equals a higher score. Minimum passing weight is 150 lbs for males aged 22 to 26 on the General standard. Maximum score (100 points) is 350 lbs for the same group. Scoring varies by age group and standard.
What it replaced
The ACFT also had the MDL as its first event using the same hex bar. The APFT had no deadlift event.
Common mistakes
Starting with too much weight and failing. Take a conservative opening attempt and build up. Grip failure ends sets early, so train your grip alongside the deadlift.
HRP
Event 2: Hand-Release Push-Up (HRP)
What it tests
Upper-body muscular endurance specifically in the chest, shoulders, and triceps. The hand-release requirement eliminates momentum and ensures each rep starts from a dead stop.
Equipment
None. Body weight only.
How it works
The soldier performs maximum repetitions in exactly 2 minutes. Each rep requires the soldier to lower completely to the ground, fully lift both hands off the ground, then press back up to the starting position. Reps where hands do not fully leave the ground do not count. The movement pattern mirrors pushing and pressing movements from Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills.
Scoring
Higher reps equal a higher score. Minimum passing is 14 reps for males aged 22 to 26 on the General standard. Maximum score (100 points) is 61 reps for the same group.
What it replaced
The APFT push-up test which did not require the hand release. The ACFT also used the hand-release push-up as its third event.
Common mistakes
Pacing too fast in the first 30 seconds causes early muscle failure. Soldiers who train standard push-ups without the hand release build the wrong movement pattern for this event.
SDC
Event 3: Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC)
What it tests
Anaerobic capacity, speed under load, lateral agility, and muscular endurance across multiple movement patterns. This is the most complex AFT event and the one most soldiers find most challenging to train for.
Equipment
A weighted sled for the drag shuttle, two kettlebells for the carry shuttle, and a stopwatch. The sled and kettlebell weights are standardized across all testing sites.
How it works
The SDC consists of 5 shuttle runs of 50 meters each in this order:
- •Sprint: Run 25 meters and back at full speed
- •Drag: Pull a weighted sled backwards 25 meters and back
- •Lateral: Shuffle sideways 25 meters and back without crossing feet
- •Carry: Pick up two kettlebells and walk or run 25 meters and back
- •Sprint: Run 25 meters and back at full speed
Lower time equals a higher score.
Scoring
Minimum passing time is 2:31 or faster for males aged 22 to 26 on the General standard. Maximum score (100 points) is 1:30 for the same group.
What it replaced
The ACFT had the same SDC event. The APFT had no equivalent event.
Common mistakes
The sled drag is the most unfamiliar movement. Soldiers who do not practice it specifically are unprepared for the resistance. Pacing mistakes in the first sprint cause fatigue that compounds through the remaining shuttles.
PLK
Event 4: Plank (PLK)
What it tests
Core strength, isometric hold endurance, and spinal stability. The plank assesses the soldier's ability to maintain a strong body position under sustained tension.
Equipment
None. Body weight only.
How it works
The soldier assumes a plank position with forearms on the ground, body forming a straight line from head to heels, and holds the position for as long as possible. The test ends when form breaks down. Higher time equals a higher score.
A key feature of the PLK: it is the only AFT event with completely gender-neutral scoring. Males and females use identical scoring tables for the plank. This differs from the MDL, HRP, SDC, and 2MR which use separate tables for General standard males and females.
A key feature of the PLK: it is the only AFT event with completely gender-neutral scoring. Males and females use identical scoring tables for the plank. This differs from the MDL, HRP, SDC, and 2MR which use separate tables for General standard males and females.
Scoring
Minimum passing time is 1:25 for soldiers aged 22 to 26. Maximum score (100 points) is 3:35 for the same group.
What it replaced
The APFT sit-up event. The ACFT initially used the leg tuck event and later transitioned to the plank. The AFT uses only the plank.
Common mistakes
Holding breath causes rapid fatigue. Hips dropping or rising above the straight body line ends the test. Soldiers who only train planks statically benefit from adding anti-extension core exercises like dead bugs and hollow holds.
2MR
Event 5: Two-Mile Run (2MR)
What it tests
Aerobic endurance and cardiovascular fitness over a sustained effort. The 2-mile run has been a component of Army fitness testing since the APFT era and remains the primary aerobic assessment in the AFT.
Equipment
A stopwatch and a flat measured 2-mile course.
How it works
Soldiers run 2 miles on a flat, measured course as fast as possible. Lower time equals a higher score. The test is typically administered on a track or measured road course.
The 2MR reflects the aerobic endurance needed for sustained combat support operations. For soldiers with approved medical profiles, alternate events are available: 2.5-Mile Walk, 12km Bike, 1km Swim, or 5km Row. These are Go/No-Go only and do not earn points on the 0 to 100 scale.
The 2MR reflects the aerobic endurance needed for sustained combat support operations. For soldiers with approved medical profiles, alternate events are available: 2.5-Mile Walk, 12km Bike, 1km Swim, or 5km Row. These are Go/No-Go only and do not earn points on the 0 to 100 scale.
Scoring
Minimum passing time is 22:45 or faster for males aged 22 to 26 on the General standard. Maximum score (100 points) is 13:25 for the same group.
What it replaced
The APFT 2-mile run which used the same distance but different scoring tables. The ACFT also had the 2-mile run as its sixth event.
Common mistakes
Going out too fast in the first quarter mile is the most common mistake. Pacing conservatively in the first mile and finishing strong consistently produces better times than an all-out early effort.
How AFT Events Are Scored
Each event is worth 0 to 100 points for a maximum total of 500 points. To pass the AFT:
- •Every event must score 60 points or above. Failing any single event means failing the test regardless of total score.
- •General standard soldiers need 300 total points minimum.
- •Combat MOS soldiers need 350 total points minimum using sex-neutral scoring tables.
Scoring is age-normed for most events, meaning the required performance to earn a given point value varies by age group. There are 10 age groups from 17 to 21 through 62 and above.
See complete scoring tables →AFT Events Compared to ACFT and APFT
A comparison showing which events existed in each test:
| Event | APFT | ACFT | AFT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Push-up | Yes (standard) | Hand-release | Hand-release |
| Sit-up | Yes | No | No |
| Leg Tuck | No | Early versions | No |
| 2-Mile Run | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Deadlift | No | Yes (hex bar) | Yes (hex bar) |
| Standing Power Throw | No | Yes | No |
| Sprint-Drag-Carry | No | Yes | Yes |
| Plank | No | Later versions | Yes |
Key transitions:
- •Sit-ups were removed when the ACFT replaced the APFT. The plank replaced the sit-up as the core endurance test.
- •The leg tuck was controversial in the ACFT because many soldiers could not perform it. The Army transitioned to the plank as an alternative and the AFT uses only the plank.
- •The Standing Power Throw was removed for the AFT. It was the most equipment-dependent and least transferable event in the ACFT.