Is there a particular model of sled that is approved for use during the new Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT, formerly the ACRT)?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 19:34:33 -0400

I've been thinking about adding a weight sled to my home gym to use for general conditioning, but I figure I might as well get something that can help me prep for the ACFT when it is rolled out Army wide in the next couple of years. After a quick web search I've seen endless configurations. Some use a runner system, like an ice sled, while others just have a flat base. It's been a been a while since my physics class, but I imagine the runner style move easier with the same amount of weight because of surface area in contact with ground, friction, etc. I'm assuming there will be some type of standardization across the Army. The sled in the pics I've seen, as well as the ACFT set-up my unit bought, look similar to the one pictured below. Has anyone seen anything official about what type of sled will be utilized? Thus far my searches have come up empty.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jul 24 at 2018 7:43 PM

SFC Stephen King — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 19:43:06 -0400

Great idea I would reach out to a recruiter they have most of the equipment for the events.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Aug 28 at 2018 11:31 AM

SFC Stephen King — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 11:31:18 -0400

https://mwi.usma.edu/good-bad-armys-new-physical-fitness-test/

Good info

The Good and the Bad of the Army’s New Physical Fitness Test - Modern War Institute

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on May 17, 2018. After years of study, experimentation, and pilot testing across the force, the Army appears to have settled on a new physical fitness test—the Army Combat Readiness Test, or ACRT. This new six-event test will keep the two-mile run from the current Army Physical …

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2018 2:11 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Sep 2018 14:11:45 -0400

There is a specific model and the NSN will be published soon in the equipment list. It's due to be published any day.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2020 10:31 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 10:31:08 -0500

Currently, as of last night, the DoD defense budget has been passed (Veto overridden from President Trump), which in it included a request to halt the ACFT adaptation in order to investigate failure rates of the current ACFT events. I only mention this because TRADOC (EDIT: technically any MACOM) may be in a pickle for awhile as no one can technically force a record ACFT, and the Army overall doesn't have a PT test of record at this time. This is to ease any concern over passing, but shouldn't be an excuse to not be in proper shape! (mostly running, and push ups....)

Now for the sled portion... there is a bit of confusion about the actual requirements as they have changed many times throughout the last 3-4 years of testing. At this time, the latest equipment manual from an Army source states this:

NOMENCLATURE: NYLON SLED (WITH PULL STRAP)
A. DESCRIPTION: 1 X PER LANE. THE NYLON SLED CAN BE DRAGGED ON MULTIPLE SURFACES (GRASS AND TURF).
THE SLED CAN HANDLE UP TO FOUR 45LB PLATES AND IS CONSIDERABLY LIGHTER THAN THE TRADITIONAL METAL DRAGGING SLED.
THE SLED SHOULD NOT BE USED ON CONCRETE, ASPHALT, OR ANY ROUGH TEXTURED SURFACE.
USE OF SLED ON AGGRESSIVE SURFACES CONCRETE, ASPHALT, OR ANY ROUGH TEXTURED SURFACE WILL SIGNIFICANTLY SHORTEN THE LIFESPAN OF THE SLED.
THE NYLON SLED CAN BE ROLLED UP FOR STORAGE.

B. SPECIFICATION:1) MADE OF THICK HEAVY DUTY NYLON.2) SIZE STANDARD IS 22” (LENGTH) BY 19.5” (WIDTH).2) CAN HANDLE UP TO FOUR 45LB PLATES.
WEIGHT STANDARD IS 90LBS (2 X 45LB PLATES).3) MUST INCLUDE PULL 92”STRAP WITH HANDLE ON BOTH ENDS.4) NYLON SLED COLOR IS NON-SPECIFIC.

C. USACIMT PROCUREMENT RECOMMENDATION: PRESENTLY, METAL SLEDS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR USE IN THE ACFT. NYLON SLED WITH STRAPS IS ONLY AUTHORIZED SLED FOR RECORD TESTING. STRONGLY RECOMMEND PURCHASING SLEDS AND PULL STRAP AS A UNIT.

This is from the ACFT website here: https://www.army.mil/e2/downloads/rv7/acft/acft_equipment_list_final.pdf
This STATES it's the final revision of the equipment, but from our MFT-certified Soldiers, there is talk about using different types of sleds for those that do not have grass or turf to use for the nylon sleds, but nothing has been properly put out (at least through my chain of command).

I would definitely stick with a nylon-based sled and use grass or turf as much as possible. There may be changes in the future but just starting the sprint-drag-carry will benefit you more than getting the "right" equipment for a testing system the Army is still modifying and adjusting with.

acft_equipment_list_final.pdf

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