U.S. Army launches combat field test to improve soldier readiness

The U.S. Army will introduce a new Combat Field Test in April 2026, adding an annual, combat-focused assessment to its physical readiness program for soldiers in 24 designated combat military occupational specialties. The seven-event test is conducted continuously and scored on total time, and it will be required in addition to the Army’s general fitness test for most active-duty personnel in those roles.

“The Combat Field Test is a critical step forward in ensuring our Soldiers serving in the most physically demanding specialties have the specific fitness required to dominate on the modern battlefield,” said the Secretary of the Army Hon. Dan Driscoll. “This is about readiness, lethality, and the well-being of our Soldiers.”

The Army said the CFT is built around mission tasks and a single passing standard that applies to all soldiers in combat-designated roles, regardless of age or sex. It features back-to-back events—a one-mile run; 30 dead-stop push-ups; a 100-meter sprint; 16 lifts of a 40-pound sandbag to a 65-inch platform; a 50-meter carry of two five-gallon water cans at 40 pounds each; a 50-meter movement drill with a high crawl and a 3- to 5-second rush; and a final one-mile run. Soldiers must complete the sequence in 30 minutes or less while wearing the Army Combat Uniform, combat boots and a brown T-shirt, without a head cover.

“This isn’t just about passing a test; it’s a direct measure of our commitment to readiness and ensuring our warfighters can dominate in any environment,” said Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer. “We’re asking more of our combat arms Soldiers, and this test validates their ability to meet that high standard.”

The CFT will not replace the Army Fitness Test. Active-duty Regular Army soldiers and Reserve Component soldiers on active-duty orders in combat specialties must pass both tests each year. Other Reserve Component soldiers in combat specialties will alternate annually between the two tests.

To ease the transition, the Army is instituting a diagnostic period with no adverse administrative actions for failures—365 days for Regular Army and active-duty Reserve Component soldiers and 730 days for other Reserve Component soldiers. During that time, soldiers who conclude they cannot meet the CFT standard may request voluntary reclassification to a non-combat specialty.

The service said it will support units with command-led physical training, Holistic Health and Fitness resources, and a dedicated CFT microsite. Photos released by the Army show soldiers from the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) conducting trial runs at Joint Base Myer–Henderson Hall, Va., including movements such as sandbag lifts, the high crawl and the water-can carry.

Implementation details, including the list of affected specialties, have not been published. The Army directed soldiers and leaders to the Army Fitness Test website for updates and guidance.