The Army Fitness Test (AFT) 2025 Transition Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Understanding the shift from ACFT to AFT and what it means for your military career
Army Fitness Test (AFT) 2025: The Transition from ACFT
The U.S. Army is currently undergoing a major structural shift in how it assesses physical readiness. Beginning in June 2025, the Army is transitioning from the six-event Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) to a streamlined five-event Army Fitness Test (AFT).
This transition is part of a broader effort to simplify testing logistics while maintaining the core principles of Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F).
Why the Change?
The shift to the AFT aims to reduce the logistical burden on units. While the ACFT was highly effective at measuring combat readiness, the requirement for specialized equipment (hex bars, 10lb medicine balls, and weighted sleds) made it difficult for National Guard, Reserve, and remote units to conduct testing frequently.
The new AFT focuses on events that require minimal equipment while still providing a high-fidelity assessment of a soldier's ability.
The New 5-Event AFT Structure
The most significant change in the transition is the removal of the Standing Power Throw (SPT). The Army's data indicated that while the SPT was a good measure of explosive power, its correlation to overall combat success was less significant than the remaining events.
The Five Core Events of the AFT:
3-Repetition Maximum Deadlift (MDL)
Remains the primary measure of muscular strength.
Hand-Release Push-Ups (HRP)
Still used to assess upper-body endurance.
Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC)
Remains the "centerpiece" of the test for measuring agility and anaerobic capacity.
The Plank (PLK)
The mandatory core assessment (replacing the leg tuck permanently).
2-Mile Run (2MR)
The standard assessment for aerobic endurance.
Important Timeline & Deadlines
Soldiers must be aware of the "Effective Dates" to ensure their DA Form 705-TEST remains valid for promotion points and permanent records.
| Date | Phase | Impact on Soldiers |
|---|---|---|
| June 1, 2025 | AFT Pilot Launch | Select units begin testing the 5-event AFT protocol. |
| October 1, 2025 | Diagnostic Phase | All units may begin conducting the AFT for diagnostic purposes. |
| January 1, 2026 | Full Implementation | The AFT becomes the official test of record. Adverse actions for failure begin. |
How Scoring Changes
One of the most common questions regarding the AFT calculator is how the points are redistributed now that there are only five events.
Total Max Score:
The max score remains 600 points.
Point Weighting:
To maintain the 600-point ceiling, the points previously allocated to the Standing Power Throw have been redistributed across the remaining five events.
Minimum Passing:
You still require a minimum score of 60 points in each event (300 total) to pass the AFT.
Pro Tip:
Because each event is now worth more "weight" toward your total score, a failure in a single event like the 2-Mile Run or Sprint-Drag-Carry will have a more drastic impact on your overall physical readiness rating.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the Standing Power Throw gone forever?
Yes. Under the AFT 2025 standards, the Standing Power Throw is removed from the official scorecard to simplify testing and equipment requirements.
Will my old ACFT score still count for promotion?
ACFT scores recorded before the January 1, 2026 deadline will remain valid for their standard duration (usually 1 year for Active Duty, 2 years for Reserve/Guard). However, after January 2026, all new record tests must follow the 5-event AFT format.
Does the AFT still use MOS categories?
Yes. The Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) demand categories (Heavy, Significant, Moderate) still apply. Soldiers in high-demand roles like Infantry (11B) will still be held to a higher performance standard within the 5-event framework. Check our comprehensive ACFT standards by MOS guide to see how the transition affects your specific job requirements.
Will there be new alternate events?
The alternate events for soldiers on medical profiles (Bike, Row, Swim, and Walk) remain largely unchanged, but the time standards are being recalibrated to match the 5-event scoring curve. Use our ACFT Alternate Events Calculator to see how these changes affect your profile-based testing.
Stay Prepared with Our AFT Calculator
As the Army finalizes the 2025-2026 scoring tables, we are updating our AFT Calculator in real-time. Use our tool to simulate your 5-event score and see how the removal of the SPT affects your promotion points.
Try the New 5-Event AFT Calculator Mode →