CECOM IG Update May 2021

By CECOM IGMay 27, 2021

(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Update to the Army’s Combat Fitness Test – ACFT 3.0 

Courtesy CECOM IG

ABERDEN PROVING GROUND, Md. —On March 22, 2021, Sgt. Maj of the Army Michael A. Grinston, released an SMA Sends formally announcing the release of the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT ) 3.0 to the Total Army. This adaptation of the ACFT (effective April 1) includes six events (3-Repetition Maximum Deadlift, Standing Power Throw, Hand-Release Push-Ups, Sprint-Drag-Carry, Leg Tuck or Plank, and 2-Mile Run), with one significant change that adds the Plank as a full 100-point alternative to the Leg Tuck for Soldier’s core strength test event.

In addition to this change, ACFT 3.0 explores the establishment of an evaluation system with performance categories that may be used to proportionally tier ACFT performance according to gender. These proposed performance tiers include:

- Platinum (top 1%; female/male);

- Gold (top 2-10%; female/male);

- Silver (top 11-25%; female/male);

- Bronze (top 26-50%; female/male)

- Green (Soldiers who pass the ACFT, but do not place in the top 50% of scores across the Total Army.)

Under ACFT 3.0, these performance categories would be calculated annually based upon ACFT scores from across the force. Categorizing scores into tiers allows for variations in height, weight, test conditions, slope, surface, etc., and further recognizes physiological differences between men and women, while fostering and recognizing above-average physical performance.

While the Army expects to fully implement the ACFT in 2022, policy changes will only be finalized when sufficient data exists for Army senior leaders to make informed decisions. Until then, ACFT scores will not be linked to a Soldier’s record in any Army personnel system, and as Army Directive 2020-06 stated, leaders will not take adverse administrative actions for or against Soldiers on the basis of their ACFT performance.

In addition to these changes, Soldiers and leaders should be aware of the following:

- All COMPOs will conduct a minimum of one ACFT and record the results in DTMS prior to 31 August 21 (per HQDA EXORD 144-21).

- The ACFT is a training requirement in Initial Military Training, but not a graduation requirement.

- Soldiers with a permanent profile should execute any events their profile permits. Soldiers on a temporary profile that prevents a full six-event ACFT should recover, rehabilitate, recondition and then complete a full ACFT.

- During FY21, Soldiers attending institutional training courses that require a physical fitness test as an entrance requirement should use their last record APFT score. However, functional course commandants may continue to establish their own course-specific physical performance requirements.

The Army remains committed to the health and safety of Soldiers and encourages Soldiers to maintain physical fitness while continuing to follow COVID-19-related safety practices (washing hands, maintaining social distancing, wearing masks).

To contact the CECOM IG:

Office: APG building 6001, RM C1-103

Email: usarmy.apg.cecom.list.amsel-ig@mail.mil

SharePoint Site: https://cecom.aep.army.mil/cecom/home/ig/default.aspx

Phone: 443-861-6600

References:

SMA Sends (ACFT), 22 March 2021.

Army Directive 2020-06 (Army Combat Fitness Test), 12 June 2020.

HQDA EXORD 144-21 (Army Physical Fitness Training and Testing for FY21-22), 22 March 2021.

Resources:  

www.army.mil/ACFT

ACFT PRT App (Available on Android and iOs).