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Soldiers were introduced to the new Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) starting last October, which replaced the old Army Physical Fitness Test. Soldiers will be expected to meet ACFT requirements regardless of age or gender, as part of military training. The minimum requirements will instead vary by job or unit.<\/p>\n
Despite the differences in test requirements, early data shows nearly half the female soldiers failed to pass the minimum requirements. Testing includes:<\/p>\n
-Strength deadlift: You must perform a three-repetition deadlift, with the weight increased with each repetition. The weight range of the deadlift is 120 to 420 pounds. The deadlifts replicate picking up ammunition boxes, a wounded soldier, supplies or heavy equipment.<\/p>\n
-Standing power throw: You will need to toss a 10-pound ball backward as far as possible to test the muscular explosive power that may be needed to lift yourself or a fellow soldier over an obstacle or to move rapidly across uneven terrain.<\/p>\n
-Hand-release pushups: You will have two minutes to do as many hand-release pushups as possible. Depending on your job, there may be a minimum number you are required to complete. These are similar to traditional pushups, but at the down position you lift your hands and arms from the ground and then reset to do another pushup.<\/p>\n
-Sprint\/drag\/carry: You must run five times up and down a 25-meter lane, sprinting, dragging a sled weighing 90 pounds, and then carrying two 40-pound kettlebell weights. This can simulate pulling a soldier out of harm\u2019s way, moving quickly to take cover, or carrying ammunition to a fighting position or vehicle.<\/p>\n
-Leg tuck: Similar to a pull-up, you must lift your legs up and down to touch your knees\/thighs to your elbows between one and five times. This exercise strengthens the core muscles.<\/p>\n
-Two-mile run: This is a timed run to build endurance and cardiovascular strength.<\/p>\n
Finally recognizing the physical differences between the genders, the Army is considering some changes.<\/p>\n
\u00a0By\u00a0Steve Beynon<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The\u00a0Army<\/a>\u00a0is considering adding gender-specific standards to its new Army Combat Fitness Test, or ACFT, after early data shows nearly half of female soldiers can’t pass the test and might face being removed from service once it becomes official next year.<\/p>\n Service officials, including Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston, testified before a House Appropriations Committee subpanel Monday that scores may end up being separated by gender to identify the 1st, 10th, 25th and 50th percentile of soldiers.<\/p>\n In practice, this could mean men and women still would have to meet the same standards but would not be compared to one another. Physical fitness scores are heavily considered in promotions, especially in combat-arms jobs such as infantry and cavalry.<\/p>\n Army officials said one possibility would be to note the soldier’s percentile ranking in their record. For example, the record could show the soldier was in the top 10% of fitness ability among their gender across the Army.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n “We expect all soldiers to meet the exact same minimum standards, regardless of age, gender, or occupational specialty,” the trio said in their combined written testimony.<\/p>\n The news comes shortly after Military.com obtained internal Army data showing that\u00a044% of women are failing<\/a>\u00a0the ACFT, compared to 7% of men.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla), chairwoman of the House Appropriations subpanels, had a few pointed questions on the issue. The answers are patently obvious.<\/p>\n Military.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"