The Relevance of the Army Combat Fitness Test for the U.S. Army

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Table of Contents

Introduction
The ACFT Framework
The Issues within the ACFT and its Significance
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) is the renewed approach that will replace the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) to attain more comprehensive results. ACFT is aimed to more precisely reflect the full range of fitness essential for training and combat. The combat fitness test was developed within the study of army researchers, who identified the events that were the most reliable indicators of successful performance that covers army-related tasks. The new Army Combat Fitness Test will be implemented by October 2020 and is considered as a better concept to forecast a soldier’s readiness for the pressure one will encounter on the modern battlefield.

The ACFT Framework

The ACFT is based upon detailed scientific research and was previously exposed to several revisions. It is more likely to be applied in three phases, with the Initial Operating Capability (IOC) as the first phase. The new army test challenges soldiers to perform a 3-repetition maximum deadlift with a hex bar as part of the six events ACFT set. According to Poser, Trautman, Dicks, Christensen, Lyman, & Hackney (2019), the ACFT is aimed at “testing soldiers’ muscular strength, muscular endurance, muscular power, agility, anaerobic capacity, and aerobic endurance” (p. 409).

As such, the ACFT’s six events are conducted in order and involve “three-repetition-maximum deadlift, standing power throw, hand-release push-ups, sprint-drag-carry, leg tuck, and 2-mile run” (Bigelman, East, Thomas, Turner, & Hertling, 2019, p. 1772). In addition, the ACFT standards are designed for every soldier, regardless of age or gender.

The combat fitness testing excludes any exceptions for its sequence and currently has no alternative tests or test events. As stated in the U.S. army ACFT field testing manual (2018), the test record is expected to be completed in 70 minutes or less for two platoons of soldiers with 16 lanes. During the first phase, IOC-Field Testing, the soldiers will be tested within two protocols, such as groups of two and groups of four.

All six events have to be completed so that the ACFT can be classified as a valid test. The FM 7-22 Preparation Drill and 3 Repetition Maximum Deadlift warm-up are created to prepare soldiers before the beginning of the first test event. Poser et al. (2019) suggest the following training for the military personnel to prepare for the deadlift, including “squat variations, lunge variations, and explosive lower body exercise such as power jump or tuck jump” (p. 409). Soldiers are further expected to accomplish the MDL test event that is later followed by the master continuous clock. It assures that each of the test events is completed with the minimum amount of rest and fully executed within 70 minutes. There is a possibility for the retesting that can be individually administered and scored.

The Issues within the ACFT and its Significance

Considering that the isometric deadlift protocol’s association with the imitated evacuation of casualty is under its formulation, it undoubtedly promotes the use of the deadlift within the ACFT. The maximum isometric intensity of the deadlift facilitates some benefits for field-testing due to its mobility and secure storage, as well as a small amount of time needed for testing. In comparison with the former program, the APFT turned out to be an insufficient measure of routine combat tasks. Moreover, its three-event test was unable to demonstrate the soldier’s ability for lifting and carrying heavy loads, sprinting, and sustained foot marches under heavy loads, which one might face in combat.

However, the Army Combat Fitness Tests is still an evolving process, which means there are still features that are not finalized yet. Therefore, the field test described in the ACFT manual is designed to refine the field administration and scoring of the ACFT.

Furthermore, it provides a framework for the testing protocols that will be applied to the field test. In order to master the ACFT, one must anticipate poor individual performance and establish personalized interventions to improve the general performance of a soldier. Following the ideas of Bigelman et al. (2019), machine-learning methods can be used to achieve that goal. Altogether, the newest combat fitness testing indicates the soldier’s physical fitness and will that will serve as guidance in identifying one’s physical needs.

Conclusion

By analyzing the core principle of the new Army Combat Fitness Test, one may trace its beneficial impact on the U.S. army training and future-readiness for combat. Its modified version of the previous testing provides the reasons to consider ACFT as a better concept to foresee a soldier’s preparation for the challenges on the modern battlefield. The primary purpose of the ACFT site and equipment requirements, administrative guidance, as well as testing procedures designed for each of the six events is to adapt the troops to address future battlefield challenges.

Hence, the ACFT serves as a challenging, intermodal evaluation that challenges soldiers in both mental and physical ways and provides a broader focus for the military training routine. With that said, the new ACFT approach contributes to the emergence of an enhanced and decent strength basis, as well as a mental determination of the U.S. army.

References

Bigelman, K., East, W., Thomas, D., Turner, D., & Hertling, M. (2019). The new army combat fitness test: An opportunity to improve recruitment and retainment. Obesity, 27(11), 1772-1775. Web.

Poser, W., Trautman, K., Dicks, N., Christensen, B., Lyman, K., & Hackney, K. (2019). Simulated casualty evacuation performance is augmented by deadlift peak force. Military Medicine, 184(9-10), 406-411. Web.

U.S. dept of the army: U.S. army ACFT field testing manual. (2018). Fort Eustis, VA: TRADOC.

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The Relevance of the Army Combat Fitness Test for the U.S. Army

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