Army Reserve Soldiers conduct a diagnostic ACFT ahead of roll out

By Staff Sgt. Erika WhitakerJuly 15, 2021

Master Sgt. Desmond J. Eskridge, Operations Non-commissioned Officer, 85th U.S. Army Reserve Support Command, performs a leg tuck during a diagnostic Army Combat Fitness Test, July 10, 2021. The U.S. Army expects to fully implement the ACFT in 2022, replacing the 40-year old Army Physical Fitness Test.   
(U.S. Army Reserve photo by SSG Erika F. Whitaker)
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Master Sgt. Desmond J. Eskridge, Operations Non-commissioned Officer, 85th U.S. Army Reserve Support Command, performs a leg tuck during a diagnostic Army Combat Fitness Test, July 10, 2021. The U.S. Army expects to fully implement the ACFT in 2022, replacing the 40-year old Army Physical Fitness Test.
(U.S. Army Reserve photo by SSG Erika F. Whitaker) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Erika Whitaker)
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Army Reserve Soldiers assigned to the 85th U.S. Army Reserve Support Command, headquartered in Arlington Heights, Illinois, participate in the Standing Power Throw event of the Army Combat Fitness Test. The 85th USARSC conducted a diagnostic ACFT July 10-11, 2021. The U.S. Army expects to fully implement the ACFT in 2022, replacing the 40-year old Army Physical Fitness Test.   
(U.S. Army Reserve photo by SSG Erika F. Whitaker)
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army Reserve Soldiers assigned to the 85th U.S. Army Reserve Support Command, headquartered in Arlington Heights, Illinois, participate in the Standing Power Throw event of the Army Combat Fitness Test. The 85th USARSC conducted a diagnostic ACFT July 10-11, 2021. The U.S. Army expects to fully implement the ACFT in 2022, replacing the 40-year old Army Physical Fitness Test.
(U.S. Army Reserve photo by SSG Erika F. Whitaker) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Erika Whitaker)
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Staff Sgt. Alyssa N. Fowler, center, Human Resources Non-commissioned Officer, 84th Training Division, pulls a 90-pound sled during the Sprint-Drag-Carry portion of the Army Combat Fitness Test. The 85th USARSC conducted a diagnostic ACFT at its headquarters in Arlington Heights, Illinois July 10-11, 2021. The U.S. Army expects to fully implement the ACFT in 2022, replacing the 40-year old Army Physical Fitness Test.   
(U.S. Army Reserve photo by SSG Erika F. Whitaker)
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Staff Sgt. Alyssa N. Fowler, center, Human Resources Non-commissioned Officer, 84th Training Division, pulls a 90-pound sled during the Sprint-Drag-Carry portion of the Army Combat Fitness Test. The 85th USARSC conducted a diagnostic ACFT at its headquarters in Arlington Heights, Illinois July 10-11, 2021. The U.S. Army expects to fully implement the ACFT in 2022, replacing the 40-year old Army Physical Fitness Test.
(U.S. Army Reserve photo by SSG Erika F. Whitaker) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Erika Whitaker)
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ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Soldiers assigned to the 85th U.S. Army Reserve Support Command and 84th Training Division conducted a diagnostic Army Combat Fitness Test during their battle assembly weekend training, in Arlington Heights, Illinois, July 10-11, 2021.

The ACFT, initially transitioned from the Army Physical Fitness Test in 2019, consists of six events: the three-repetition Maximum Deadlift, Standing Power Throw, Hand-Release Push Ups, Sprint-Drag-Carry, Leg Tuck or Plank, and the Two-Mile Run.

Although diagnostic ACFTs are currently conducted for data collection on test performance results, the test is slated to be fully implemented, replacing the 40-year old APFT in 2022. Master Sgt. Laroy G. Warren, assigned to the 85th USARSC, was the event’s noncommissioned officer-in-charge and discussed differences in the new test to include logistical challenges, specifically to the movement of the 700 lb. equipment. Warren’s team utilizes fork lifts operators to position the equipment to the field. However, he added his perspective on the ACFT’s holistic health and fitness capability to prepare physically and mentally strong Soldiers.

“(The ACFT) allows you to be healthy as far as exercising and is a game changer as far as total body fitness,” said Warren. “You got your cardio. You got your strength training. You got everything encompassed. As far as the old test, it didn’t really measure your endurance and strength.”