by Michael E. Pittman
While serving as a basic training drill sergeant for incoming infantry soldiers at Fort Moore, Georgia, I saw a steady decline in overall fitness. In the past, trainees were easily able to pass the 1-1-1 assessment (1 minute of push-ups, 1 minute of sit-ups, and a 1 mile run). But as my time as a drill sergeant progressed, the consistent 90-95% pass rate became 85%, then 75%, until we were lucky if 65% of the Company passed.
As large-scale combat operations become the Army’s primary focus, physically fit Soldiers have never been more necessary. If the Army does not raise and maintain high standards of fitness for combat arms Soldiers, the combat effectiveness and lethality of our frontline Soldiers will suffer.
Creating fit soldiers requires a deliberate approach. One key component is effective assessments. A better assessment of fitness can be accomplished through reinstituting an combat fitness test with standards tailored to each type of military occupational specialty (MOS). Previous attempts have been made by the Army to correct this issue. These were the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) 2.0 that introduced Black, Gold, and Silver standards based on Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). However, these attempts have not reached their intended aim.
Below are reflections on how we got to today’s degraded fitness and higher obesity. Additionally I’ve outlined specific problems the Army faces with the current fitness standards. Finally I offer possible solutions to restore the Army to a healthier and more physically fit fighting force.
How We Got Here
It’s true, the Army has never fully lived up to its ideal of a perfectly fit fighting force. However, there is reason to believe the Army’s fitness has worsened in recent years. According to the Centers for Disease Control in 2020, 19% of active-duty service members were considered obese as of 2020. This was up from 16% in 2015. Among other consequences, this body fat costs the Department of Defense $1.5 billion annually in obesity-related health care. Obesity increases the risk of other health related issues and may lead to separation from service. Obesity also reduces a Soldier’s ability to pass a fitness test and increases the amount of time it will take to get back in better shape or recover from injury.
In 2022, the Army officially discontinued the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). This test always had limitations, testing only had a very narrow range of fitness via push-ups, sit-ups, and a 2-mile run. The emphasis was always placed on the individual to do more PT on their own time. Yet, the APFT (before COVID) had several reliable advantages. First, it was easy to administer. It required no equipment and minimal prior planning. Second, it was in effect for so long that generations of service members had lived by it. This made it an easy standard to apply. Soldiers failing to meet APFT standards were counseled accordingly. Repeat failures were flagged and put on a trajectory to exit the Army.
Despite being a better measure of overall fitness, the ACFT was undercut by a lack of enforceability. As the Army transitioned to the ACFT, due to COVID Soldiers were not required to take a for-record test for the first two years. The COVID pandemic response forced Soldiers to either remote work or not go to work at all, increasing obesity rates and decreasing physical fitness. In addition to COVID, Congress questioned the validity (and unfavorable outcomes) of the test. Later, the test was changed and the fitness standards lowered into what we know now as ACFT 3.0. These factors combined and created a several-year period where Army leaders could hardly point to a legally enforceable fitness standard. Without leader supervision, many Soldiers were left to their own devices and fitness across the force degraded.
The current ACFT does not differentiate between the different MOSes. An Infantry Soldier can score the same minimum as a Finance Soldier, despite the fact that more will be asked of the Infantry Soldier daily. For example, the minimum deadlift score for all Soldiers currently is 140 pounds for males and 120 pounds for females. This does not align with the heavy equipment we ask our Infantry or Armor Soldiers to carry on a daily basis.
Red, White, and Blue ACFT Standards
To fix the fitness problems within combat arms MOSes, the Army needs to reimplement the MOS-specific ACFT. Soldiers from all job specialties can be evaluated on their performance in relation to what is required of their job.
The overall scoring system of the current ACFT would remain the same, but MOS’s would be separated into three separate groups: Red, White, and Blue. The Red group would consist of Soldiers in an MOS that requires heavy physical demands such as Infantry, Armor, and some support like Combat Medics and Combat Engineers. Those Soldiers would follow the current scoring system but must achieve a minimum of 70 in each event (based on their age and gender) to pass. The White group would consist of Soldiers in an MOS that requires a significant physical demand such as Mechanics and non-combat Engineers. Those Soldiers would be required to achieve a 65-point minimum in each event. The Blue group will encompass all other MOS’s that require only moderate physical activity and would be required to maintain the current 60 point minimum in each event.
Conclusion
The Army must be physically fit, and Soldiers fighting on the front lines need to be in the best possible shape to combat the growing threat we face. The problems the Army faces today, such as low ACFT standards for combat arms and obesity, will continue to degrade our readiness and effectiveness in combat. If combat arms Soldiers were held to a higher standard such as the Red, White, and Blue ACFT groups, the Army would see a rise in the overall fitness of our combat forces, and ensure that our Soldiers are physically prepared to fight when answering the call of our nation.
Michael E. Pittman is currently a First Sergeant at the Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Moore, GA. Previously, 1SG Pittman was a First Sergeant and Platoon Sergeant with the 101st ABN DIV at Fort Campbell, KY. He has served in the Infantry for 17 years. His passion for fitness started while working as a Drill Sergeant for the Fitness Training Unit at Fort Moore, GA in 2017 ensuring Soldiers were physically fit enough to meet the demands of Basic Training.
Photo Credit: SPC Samantha Hall, US Army
