Army pushup standards in the AFT: events & scoring

AFT events, measurements, and MOS mapping: how army pushups fit into the scoring system

AFT overview: the five-event lineup and their purposes

• The AFT uses five events to measure different fitness elements in one test.
• Each event is scored separately, and those scores add up to a total.
• You should aim for a minimum of 60 points per event and a 350 total to pass.

Push-up measurement criteria: technique, range of motion, and fail conditions

• Push-ups are measured with strict form.
• Keep a solid plank, lower to a defined depth, and press back to full arm extension.
• The hand-release push-up arm extension option requires lifting the hands briefly between reps to reset the motion.
• Fail conditions include incomplete depth, insufficient range, or stopping short of full extension.

Scoring rules: minimums, per-event targets, and total thresholds

• Each event has a scoring target based on performance.
• The minimum is 60 points per event.
• The overall score must reach 350 to pass, and the push-up event contributes to that total.

MOS classifications in practice: combat vs enabling and impact on scoring

• Some MOS use combat standards, others enabling standards.
• Meeting the standard for the push-up event earns points toward the event total, with the applicable standard guiding the measurement.

Mapping events to MOS: how to identify which standards apply to a given MOS

• Check your MOS to identify which standard applies to the push-up event.
• If your MOS changes, review which standard is in effect for scoring.

Phase-in dates and MOS rollout: 2025 to 2027 timeline and policy governance

The AFT will phase in the new push-up standards over three years, starting June 1, 2025. This approach lets units adjust measurement, record keeping, and medical screening without sudden shifts in workflow.

Timeline of launch: June 1, 2025 and subsequent milestones

• June 1, 2025: Phase-in begins. All personnel take the AFT under the new framework, and data is captured for baseline.
• 2025 to early 2026: Data collection and training across units, with adjustments to reporting templates as needed.

Active-duty MOS-specific rollout: 2026 effective standards

• In 2026, active duty soldiers must meet MOS-specific push-up requirements that align with their primary occupation.

Reserve and National Guard rollout: 2026 to 2027 timelines

• Reserve and National Guard units implement MOS-specific standards over 2026 and 2027.

Policy governance, medical profiling, and accountability mechanisms

• Policy governance sets the standards and oversees implementation, with medical profiles considered where appropriate. Units will be held accountable through periodic reviews and updated SOPs.

What this means for unit readiness and administrative processes

• Admin teams will update training calendars, medical screening, and record-keeping to reflect the phased rollout.

Context, policy implications, and practical scoring: history, RAND analysis, and implementation considerations

historical context

• The AFT history sits between the APFT and the ACFT, guiding how fitness numbers translate to readiness for both combat and enabling MOS.

RAND analysis and policy implications for practice

• RAND analysis explored how age-normed and sex-neutral scoring affect fairness and unit administration.
• DoD fitness policy aims for objective performance while minimizing bias in scoring and rollout.

scoring in practice: achieving minimums (60 per event) and 350 total

• To meet the floor, train with steady progress, practice form, and simulate test conditions in cycles.
• Track each event, ensure 60 points per event and push toward a 350 total.

combat vs enabling in practice: sex-neutral and age-normed considerations

• Combat standards tend toward uniform expectations, enabling standards may use age-normed adjustments.
• Build unit plans that meet the minimums without sacrificing safety or form.

crosswalk: how ACFT, APFT, and AFT decisions shaped current standards

• The moves from APFT to ACFT and now AFT shape current scoring curves and minimums.