Army Potentially Returning to Job-Specific Scoring for Fitness Test

The Army is considering returning to job-specific scoring bands for the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), the service’s top general told lawmakers Tuesday, Military.com reported.

U.S. Army Gen. James C. McConville

Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville and Army Secretary Christine Wormuth told lawmakers in the Senate Armed Services Committee that the force is adjusting the ACFT and balancing wanting a more physically fit force while also not harming efforts to fill less physically demanding jobs.

“I took it last week; I think it’s a good test. What we want to do is move forward with implementation. It’ll give us a more fit force,” McConville said.

As it stands now, the test has a single standard for men and women of all Army jobs.

No final decisions on the new test will be made until an independent study is finished at the end of 2021.

Once the test is established, failing and low scores could impede or end a service career.

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