U.S. Army Introduces New Gender-Neutral Combat Field Test Following Secretary Hegseth’s Physical Readiness Directive

The U.S. Army has launched the Combat Field Test (CFT), a gender-neutral assessment for frontline troops mandated by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 23, 2026, 5:18 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from ABC News and the U.S. Army.

Standardization of Frontline Physical Readiness

In a significant shift toward specialized readiness, the U.S. Army has introduced the Combat Field Test (CFT) to supplement its existing annual fitness metrics. Developed under the direction of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the CFT establishes a single, gender-neutral benchmark for all soldiers serving in ground combat roles. The initiative reflects a broader effort to ensure that troops in high-intensity specialties possess the physical capacity to execute modern battlefield maneuvers, moving away from tiered standards based on age or gender.

Technical Components of the Combat Field Test

The new assessment is a high-intensity circuit that must be completed within a 30-minute window. It begins and ends with a one-mile run, sandwiching a series of functional movements designed to simulate specific battlefield tasks. These include 30 dead-stop push-ups, a 100-meter sprint, and 16 repetitions of lifting 40-pound sandbags onto a 65-inch platform. Additionally, soldiers must perform a 50-meter carry of two five-gallon water cans weighing 40 pounds each, followed by a movement drill consisting of high crawls and high-speed rushes.

Enforcement Timeline and Career Implications

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer emphasized that the CFT serves to validate the high standards expected of the service’s top enlisted leaders and combat formations. While the test is being rolled out immediately for unit familiarization, the Army will not begin enforcing personnel consequences for failure until April 2027. Once enforced, the inability to pass the CFT may result in a soldier’s administrative removal from the service, effectively making physical performance a non-negotiable requirement for continued service in combat arms.