Army rolls out new combat fitness test for frontline troops

The military announced in a press release earlier this week as it rolls out a new combat fitness test for frontline troops, as leaders work to boost battlefield readiness amid persistent recruiting challenges.

The Combat Field Test (CFT), which is age- and gender-neutral, applies to Soldiers in combat specialties, is designed to reflect the physical demands of modern warfare and signals a shift toward more stringent, role-specific standards as the Army seeks to strengthen readiness within its ranks.

The move comes after the Army missed recruiting goals in recent years, including missing about 15,000 troops in 2022, According to U.S. Army Recruiting Command data, leaders are working to rebuild enlistment numbers and overall force strength.

Although the service has since rebounded to meet its 2025 goals, leaders continue to work on long-term preparation.

The update follows broader changes to Army physical fitness standards in recent years.

In 2025, the service announced a new Army Physical Fitness Test to replace the previous Army Combat Fitness Test, after months of data analysis and feedback, with officials saying the changes were designed to improve readiness and emphasize combat effectiveness.

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A group of men perform push-ups during a military training session. (iStock)

The update comes as part of a broader push by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to return the military to what he calls the “warrior ethos.”

“Combat Field Testing is a critical step in ensuring that our Soldiers serving in the most physically demanding specialties possess the specific physical fitness required to dominate on the modern battlefield,” Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll said in a statement Wednesday. “It’s about the readiness, lethality and well-being of our Soldiers.”

An Army spokesperson did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Soldiers will have 30 minutes to complete seven events, with the clock running continuously, while wearing combat uniform and Army boots.

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The update follows broader changes to Army physical fitness standards in recent years. (iStock)

They must first run a mile, followed by 30 non-stop push-ups, a 100-yard sprint, 16 lifts of a 40-pound sandbag on a 65-inch platform and a 50-yard carry of two army water cans weighing 40 pounds each.

The test then requires Soldiers to complete a 50-yard movement drill with a high ramp and a 25-yard run of three to five seconds before a final one-mile run.

The test then requires Soldiers to complete a 50-yard movement drill with a high ramp and a 25-yard run of three to five seconds before a final one-mile run. (Reuters, file)

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The Army will begin implementing the new test this month, and Soldiers will be required to take it annually.

During the first year of deployment, Soldiers will not be penalized as the Army gradually implements the new standard, part of a broader effort to prepare troops for the physical demands of modern combat.