US Army Launches Tough New Combat Fitness Test for Front-Line Soldiers

4 articles · Updated · Stars and Stripes · Apr 22

The US Army has introduced a new Combat Field Test (CFT) for soldiers in front-line combat roles, effective from April 2026.
The CFT features seven physically demanding events completed in succession, is age and gender neutral, and must be passed annually by combat arms personnel.
Soldiers who fail twice after an initial adaptation period may be reassigned or separated, as the Army aims to boost combat readiness and fitness standards.

Could requiring soldiers to pass both the AFT and the new CFT lead to more injuries and burnout?

Beyond pass rates, how will the Army measure if the CFT actually makes combat units more lethal?

How will the Army prevent its new gender-neutral fitness test from disproportionately removing female soldiers from combat roles?

With the CFT's diagnostic period now underway, what are the initial pass and fail rates among soldiers?

How accurately does the seven-event CFT replicate the true physical challenges faced on the modern battlefield?

What support is offered to career soldiers who fail the CFT and face involuntary separation from the Army?