GRAFENWOEHR, Germany - U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria hosted the Installation Management Command-Europe Senior Enlisted Seminar on Tower Barracks, March 6-7.

During the seminar, senior leaders within IMCOM-E received level one and level two certification for the new Army Combat Fitness Test.

"The certification training was spearheaded by USAG Bavaria Headquarters and Headquarters Company Non-Commissioned Officer's. Credentialing our senior leaders with ACFT certification creates a force multiplier within the IMCOM organization," said Master Sgt. Stuart Sword, USAG Bavaria S-3 NCOIC.

Sword also explained how all Soldiers within IMCOM-E will rotate to the operational Army eventually, therefore it is critical that they remain proficient in new Army initiatives such as the ACFT.

"Soldier fitness directly contributes to the Army's number one priority of readiness; readiness is emboldened by Soldier lethality. In order to be ready and lethal, we must be able to move further faster and fight harder than any other Soldier," said Sword.

The secretary and chief of staff of the Army directed replacement of the Army Physical Fitness Test based off the results of years of scientific study, and determined the legacy APFT does not adequately asses the combat physical fitness.

The new six-event ACFT was developed to better predict a Soldier's readiness for the demands of the modern battlefield and is both age and gender neutral.

Currently ACFT is in its initial stages as leaders across the Army conduct field testing and make refinements prior to the Army-wide implementation of the ACFT in fiscal year 2020.

With the implementation of ACFT, leaders are required to be trained and certified to administer the test to their Soldiers.

Level one certification consists of a two-hour training overview and passing of the ACFT. Competition of the training authorizes the individual to officially grade the ACFT.

Level two certification requires the individual to complete an eight-hour training overview and pass ACFT. Level two certification authorizes the individual to administer and grade ACFT.

USAG Bavaria and five other IMCOM-Europe garrisons successfully certified its senior NCOs in preparation for the new ACFT implementation.

"Getting all the senior leaders together and conducting ACFT gives us a better understanding of what the units will need to become ready for ACFT. As garrisons we have to understand how we can better support the units in each of our communities. By conducting ACFT today we have a better understanding of the effect it has on our resources whether it be equipment, fields, or amount of people we have to run ACFT," said IMCOM Europe Command Sgt. Maj. Samara Pitre.

"We're excited to pilot this certification at USAG Bavaria. Trained and competent leaders at the tactical level will ensure a smooth transition from APFT to ACFT. The new fitness test will be a challenge. The sooner units receive training from qualified leaders, the better," said Capt. Bobby Brown, commander, HHC, USAG Bavaria.

Speculation regarding events for ACFT has circulated across the Army. Listed below are the six events that will make up the new fitness test, according to the ACFT Handbook published in September 2018.

Event 1: 3-Repetition Maximum Deadlift
Event 2: Standing Power Throw
Event 3: Hand-Release Push-up
Event 4: Sprint-Drag-Carry
Event 5: Leg Tuck
Event 6: 2-Mile Run

The score scale and the equipment list for the fitness test can also be found in the ACFT Handbook.

The Army's end-state for implementing ACFT is to increase physical readiness, decrease chronic injuries and evolve the Army's fitness culture.