ACFT vs AFT: 7 Critical Differences in the 2025 Army Fitness Revolution

The U.S. Army’s fitness landscape underwent its most significant transformation since 1980 when the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) was officially retired on June 1, 2025, and replaced by the Army Fitness Test (AFT). This wasn’t a minor update—it was a complete re-engineering of how the Army measures combat readiness. While both tests aim to produce stronger, more resilient soldiers, the AFT addresses the ACFT’s most glaring flaws: complexity, injury risk, and operational inefficiency.

This in-depth comparison breaks down seven critical differences using official Army data, pilot program results, and real soldier feedback from 2025 field tests. Whether you’re a private prepping for your first AFT or a company commander planning unit PT, understanding these changes is mission-critical.

Difference 1: Number of Events – 6 vs 5

ACFT: 6 events
- 3RM Deadlift, Standing Power Throw, Hand-Release Push-Ups, Sprint-Drag-Carry, Leg Tuck (later ALT), Two-Mile Run
AFT: 5 events
- Trap Bar Deadlift, Hand-Release Push-Ups, Sprint-Drag-Carry, Plank, Two-Mile Run

Impact:

Removed: Standing Power Throw and Leg Tuck
Added: Plank (replaces leg tuck)
Result: 40% reduction in equipment setup, 55% faster test administration (1.8 hours vs 3.5+ for ACFT)

Soldier Quote (Fort Liberty, July 2025): “We used to spend half the morning just setting up power throw lanes. Now we’re done by 0900 and back to weapons qual.” – SSG Rivera, 82nd Airborne

Difference 2: Scoring System – Complex Multipliers vs Direct Points

Feature	ACFT	AFT
Scoring Method	Gender/Age Multipliers	Direct 0–100 Points
Minimum Pass	60 points/event (adjusted)	60 raw points/event
Combat MOS Minimum	60 (some 65)	70 raw points/event
Max Score	600	500

AFT Scoring Example (25-year-old, sex-neutral):

Deadlift 240 lbs → 76 points
HRPU 40 reps → 82 points
SDC 2:20 → 82 points
Plank 3:30 → 90 points
Run 13:30 → 92 points Total: 422 / 500

ACFT Equivalent: Same performance might yield 580/600 due to multipliers—but with more confusion.

Difference 3: Injury Risk – High vs Significantly Reduced

Event Risk (2024–2025 Data)	ACFT Injury Rate	AFT Injury Rate
Shoulder (Leg Tuck/Power Throw)	22%	6%
Lower Back (Deadlift Form)	18%	11%
Knee/Ankle (SDC)	15%	9%

Key Change:

Leg Tuck → Plank: Eliminated dynamic spinal loading
Power Throw Removed: No more overhead explosive stress
Trap Bar vs Straight Bar: Neutral grip reduces lumbar shear

2025 Pilot Results (10,000+ soldiers):

28% overall injury reduction
87% fewer medical profiles post-test
$4.2M saved in medical costs (TRADOC estimate)

Difference 4: Equipment & Logistics – Nightmare vs Streamlined

Requirement	ACFT	AFT
Equipment Needed	12+ items (medicine balls, sleds, pull-up rig, etc.)	5 core items (trap bar, plates, sled, kettlebells, cones)
Setup Time	60–90 min	20–30 min
Space Required	100m lane + throw zone	50m lane only
Personnel Needed	12–15 graders	6–8 graders

Unit Impact:

A platoon of 40 can now test in under 90 minutes
Zero weather delays (no outdoor throw zone needed)
Deployable kits fit in one CONEX

Difference 5: Combat Relevance – Lab vs Field Validated

The ACFT was designed using lab-based biomechanics. The AFT used field data from 2023–2024 deployments.

Task Correlation (RAND 2025 Study)	ACFT Predictor	AFT Predictor
Casualty Drag (150 lbs, 50m)	68%	91%
Ruck March (45 lbs, 12 miles)	61%	88%
Obstacle Negotiation	55%	84%
Sustained Operations (72+ hrs)	49%	79%

Why AFT Wins:

Deadlift → Direct lift simulation
SDC → Load-bearing movement
Plank → Core stability under body armor

Difference 6: Age & Gender Standards – Segregated vs Unified with Buffers

ACFT: Separate male/female tables + age multipliers
AFT: Sex-neutral raw standards + age-normed time/weight buffers

Example: Two-Mile Run (Pass = 60 points)

Age	ACFT Male	ACFT Female	AFT (Sex-Neutral)
22	15:36	18:54	18:00
37	16:48	20:06	20:30 (+2:30 buffer)

Retention Impact:

+12% retention for soldiers 35+ (HRC 2025)
Women in combat arms: Pass rate up from 61% → 78%

Difference 7: Promotion & Career Impact – Delayed vs Immediate

Timeline	ACFT	AFT
Promotion Board Use	Phased in 2022–2025	Fully effective Oct 1, 2025
Points for E5–E6	Max 100 (fitness portion)	Max 120 (AFT + H2F metrics)
Failure Consequences	2x retest, flag	1x retest, mandatory training

New AFT Promotion Tiers (DA PAM 600-25, Sep 2025):

400–450 points: +20 promotion points
451–480 points: +25 points
481–500 points: +30 points (automatic board review)

Transition Timeline: What Soldiers Must Do Now

Month (2025)	Action Required
June–Aug	Units conduct diagnostic AFTs
September	Last ACFT scores accepted for records
October 1	AFT mandatory for all evaluations
November	First promotion boards using AFT scores

How to Bridge the Gap: 90-Day ACFT-to-AFT Conversion Plan

Week 1–4: De-load & Assess

Drop power throws, leg tucks
Baseline AFT (record raw scores)

Week 5–8: Build AFT-Specific Strength

Monday: Deadlift + SDC
Wednesday: HRPU + Plank circuits
Friday: Run intervals

Week 9–12: Peak & Test

Full mock AFT every Saturday
Taper last 5 days

Final Verdict: AFT Wins on Every Metric

Metric	ACFT	AFT
Test Time	❌	✅
Injury Risk	❌	✅
Combat Relevance	❌	✅
Logistics	❌	✅
Fairness	❌	✅
Promotion Clarity	❌	✅

The AFT isn’t a downgrade—it’s an upgrade for the modern battlefield. It rewards functional strength, resilience, and efficiency—exactly what the Army needs to fight and win.

Resources:

AFT vs ACFT Comparison Chart (PDF)
H2F Transition Toolkit
Unit AFT Grader Certification (ATTRS Course)

What is the New Army Fitness Test (AFT) and Why It Replaced the ACFT in 2025?

Army AFT Scoring Chart 2025: Complete Guide to 60+ Points Per Event

ACFT vs AFT: 7 Critical Differences in the 2025 Army Fitness Revolution