The U.S. Army has unveiled sweeping changes to its fitness testing protocol, marking the end of the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) and ushering in a new era with the Army Fitness Test (AFT) beginning in June 2025. The announcement signals a significant shift in how the largest branch of the U.S. military assesses its soldiers’ physical readiness, with reforms designed to bolster overall fitness, enhance warfighting capabilities, and address ongoing debates over test fairness and military effectiveness (USA Today).
For Thai readers closely following international military standards and their influence on Thailand’s own armed forces, these changes represent not just a matter of American military policy but also a window into emerging global best practices in physical training, gender equity, and scientifically-informed policy making.
The new Army Fitness Test (AFT) consists of five events: a three-repetition maximum deadlift, hand-release push-up army extension, sprint-drag-carry, plank, and a two-mile run. Notably absent is the Standing Power Throw, previously a hallmark of the outgoing ACFT. Soldiers must now score a minimum of 60 points per event and achieve an overall total of at least 350 points to pass. This marks a deliberate move by the Army to focus on core strength, muscular endurance, speed, and cardiovascular fitness as the pillars of combat readiness.
Unlike previous versions, the AFT will be “sex-neutral and age-normed,” meaning all soldiers—regardless of gender—will take the same test, but minimum scores will be adjusted for age, reflecting a nuanced balance between equality and physiological realities. According to statements from the Army, “RAND Corporation analysis and Army data from nearly 1 million test records helped inform the new standard,” underscoring the role of empirical evidence in modern military policy.
This updated fitness test will be implemented in phases. For active duty soldiers, full adherence to the new testing and scoring standards becomes mandatory on January 1, 2026. Reserve and National Guard components will follow suit by June 1, 2026. The delay in implementation for non-active forces reflects logistical challenges as well as continued adaptation to the fitness realities of part-time service members.
In the wider global context, military fitness testing has been a contentious topic, especially regarding inclusivity and combat effectiveness. The U.S. Army’s decision to drop the Standing Power Throw—a test arguably less relevant to practical battlefield tasks—and redesign the score thresholds, follows criticism that earlier standards inadvertently disadvantaged women and older soldiers while failing to directly correlate with actual job performance (RAND Corporation Report). This new approach aims to bridge that gap by incorporating feedback from nearly a million test results and using scientific evaluation to shape policy—an approach that could be instructive for the Royal Thai Army, which continues to modernize its own recruitment and assessment standards.
Lt. Gen. Gary M. Brito, Deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, explained in a recent interview, “We had to ask ourselves: what does the battlefield really demand, and how can we ensure our soldiers are prepared without imposing unnecessary barriers? The new AFT is both rigorous and fair, based on data and operational need” (Army Times). Independent military analysts note that such changes are part of a broader trend in NATO member states toward greater inclusivity and adaptive standards, reflecting both changing mix of personnel and evolving battlefield technologies.
For Thailand, where military conscription is a rite of passage for many young men each year and gender-discriminatory standards persist, the U.S. example provides valuable food for thought. In recent years, Thai military leaders have discussed reforms to recruitment and training, though change has been incremental. The focus on scientific validation and high-quality data analysis, as exemplified by the U.S. Army’s partnership with RAND, offers a model that could address concerns over both fairness and operational readiness in Thailand’s armed forces.
As Thai society becomes increasingly health-conscious and as the role of women in both civilian and military sectors expands, the question of how to fairly assess fitness for demanding roles continues to attract attention. Some health education experts in Bangkok’s leading universities have praised the U.S. move. Dr. Wimonrat Chuanchuen, sports science lecturer at Mahidol University, points out, “When the biggest army in the world changes its standards using both science and fairness, it sets an example. Thailand can learn a lot from this in designing our own balanced, effective recruitment practices.” She suggests piloting sex-neutral but age-normed standards in Thai fitness assessments, particularly for noncombatant roles, as a way to modernize without compromising effectiveness.
In the broader historical context, military fitness standards everywhere—including Thailand—have shifted over time in response to technological change, combat experiences, and evolving social values. During the Vietnam War, for instance, minimum standards heavily prioritized running and calisthenics over the kind of strength-based, functional fitness now in vogue. Today’s military operations, with their mix of urban warfare, peacekeeping, and disaster relief, demand soldiers who are adaptable, robust, and resilient—qualities that the new AFT aims to foster.
Looking ahead, international observers will watch closely to see how smoothly the U.S. Army manages the transition and whether the changes produce measurable improvements in combat performance and soldier wellbeing. For the Thai armed forces, ongoing dialogues about modernization and inclusion could receive a new impetus from this American precedent. As Dr. Amorntep Sanguan, defense studies expert at Chulalongkorn University, reflects, “When our allies adjust how they measure what makes a good soldier, we have to ask ourselves if our own standards are keeping up with the times.”
For Thai readers, especially those considering military service or involved in youth sports and health promotion, the lesson is clear: fitness standards are not static, and the most effective systems are those that evolve in response to new scientific findings and societal needs. Parents and educators can encourage young Thais to focus not just on passing specific tests, but on developing holistic, lifelong habits of health, strength, and resilience—a goal that benefits not only individuals but the nation as a whole.
As the Army Fitness Test rolls out in the U.S., it offers both a model and a challenge for Thailand: to embrace the best of global evidence-based practice without losing sight of local needs และความเป็นไทย. Staying informed and involved in these conversations is crucial for anyone interested in the future of health, fitness, and national security. For further reading and detailed fitness training guidelines, readers can visit the official U.S. Army and RAND Corporation websites.