7 Major Problems with the Proposed Army Combat Readiness Test & Our Proposed Replacement for the...

I'm not against changing the APFT but I don't think we necessarily need to have a test that attempts to test "combat events". Each MOS will have different duties in combat and each combat theater will bring its own set of challenges. The APFT is an overall fitness test. That's all. I never had to run 2 miles or do a single sit up in combat. But I never ruck marched or pulled a sled either (I patrolled, but that's different). Think of it like the NFL combine. I've never seen a football player bench press on the field, yet it's a part of the combine. And on how many plays does the average player sprint 40 yards in a straight line? And why aren't they in pads if that's what they have to play in? The point is, the NFL is just looking for fitness/agility/quickness/etc. If you can do well on these events, the conclusion can be made that you'll probably do well in a game. And that's what the APFT should look for. If we try to mimic actual combat we'll go absolutely crazy with this.

All that said, I do wish the Army would include pull ups. Best exercise ever.

This was quite a read. I think the change up of events is good but realistically it wouldn’t be possible. Just based off equipment, time, proper training etc. we would have to change up PT all together because three days of cardio and two days of muscle endurance (one day of rucking possibly) would not adequately prepare a soldier for this ACRT. There’s too many flaws with it for it to be put in motion this year, in my opinion. Some SF units on Carson are beginning to implement this so it will be interesting to see how this plays out.