New Army Fitness Test Guidelines Reward High Performers
The U.S. Army has introduced new fitness test guidelines, applicable to all Army components and versions of the fitness test. The directive, published on September 4, aims to incentivise soldiers to maintain high fitness levels and rewards those who consistently excel in their speed test and internet speed test.
The new guidelines, led by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, offer exemptions to soldiers who score 80 points or more in each event of the Army Fitness Test. These exemptions are valid for less than 8 months for Regular Army and Active Guard Reserve soldiers, and less than 12 months for National Guard and Army Reserve soldiers. Notably, no alternative events are permitted for these exemptions.
Soldiers who achieve a total score of 465 points or more are exempt from the service's body fat standards. However, all soldiers must still undergo height and weight screening. Those who meet the fitness test score requirement but not the height and weight standards are not required to complete a tape test.
The new Army Fitness Test guidelines encourage soldiers to maintain peak physical fitness. By rewarding high performers with exemptions and adjusting body fat standards, the Army aims to boost soldier readiness and overall health. All soldiers are urged to strive for excellence in the new fitness test regime.
