Army unveils Combat Field Test with new fitness assessment: 'A critical step forward'
The Army announced in a news release earlier this week that it is rolling out a new combat fitness test for frontline troops as leaders push to strengthen battlefield readiness...
By Fox News · Fox News
The Army announced in a news release earlier this week that it is rolling out a new combat fitness test for frontline troops as leaders push to strengthen battlefield readiness amid ongoing recruiting challenges. The Combat Field Test (CFT), which is age and gender-neutral, applies to soldiers in combat specialties, is designed to mirror the physical demands of modern warfare and signals a shift toward stricter, role-specific standards as the Army looks to boost readiness across its ranks. The move comes after the Army missed recruiting targets in recent years, including falling roughly 15,000 soldiers short in 2022, according to U.S. Army Recruiting Command data, as leaders work to rebuild enlistment numbers and overall force strength. While the service has since rebounded to meet its 2025 targets, leaders continue to work on long-term readiness. The update follows broader changes to Army fitness standards in recent years. In 2025, the service announced a new Army Fitness Test to replace the previous Army Combat Fitness Test, after months of data analysis and feedback, with officials saying the changes were designed to improve readiness and emphasize combat effectiveness. TRUMP IS SENDING A POWERFUL MESSAGE TO OUR ENEMIES — AND ALLIES — WITH THE PENTAGON'S REBRAND The update comes amid War Secretary Pete Hegseth ’s broader push to shift the military back to what he calls the "warrior ethos." "The Combat Field Test is a critical step forward in ensuring our soldiers serving in the most physically demanding specialties have the specific fitness required to dominate on the modern battlefield," Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said in a statement Wednesday. "This is about readiness, lethality and the well-being of our soldiers." A spokesperson for the Army did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Soldiers will have 30 minutes to complete seven events with the clock running continuously while wearing the Army Combat Uniform and boots. ARMY UNVE…