New Military Fitness Standard for Combat Troops? Highest Male Standard - Here is What That Means

Here is a Breakdown of the Military Branches' Highest Male Physical Fitness Standards (for each age group) 

There are several different fitness tests throughout our military. The standard physical fitness test that everyone has to take throughout their career, and then there are specialized fitness tests largely used within the Special Operations Communities. However, the standard of all combat units reaching the highest male physical fitness standard in that branch of service varies depending on the service. If this new standard by the Department of Defense that every combat job has to meet the highest male standards is going to happen, the charts below show you what you need to accomplish to get those top scores.

I have always thought combat units should have their own physical fitness standards, as these are the jobs that can be the most physically demanding. Current tactical fitness tests are helping to create well-rounded tactical athletes in the military, requiring a combination of fitness components, including strength, power, speed, agility, endurance, and muscle stamina. For the most part, these jobs, such as infantry, artillery, combat medics, special operations, and others, already set a higher standard for themselves. Other combat support roles in the military are equally essential, but the physical demands are less intense. The need for physical standards remains for them as well, but with a greater emphasis on health and wellness goals rather than elite physical standards to perform their job. 

Improve Time to Train, Nutrition, and Sleeping Quarters MUST be Addressed as Well

If you are going to raise the standards among combat roles, you also need to increase the time allocated for daily training, improve the meals provided to the troops, and enhance their sleeping conditions. Many may also not know how to achieve high physical standards, so some coaching and nutrition guidance will be helpful if the highest male standard on current physical fitness tests is the new standard. 

The sections below are the proposed fitness standards for combat units, which are the highest male standards for the fitness test of that branch, with age ranges included:

Marine Corps PFT Combat MOS (Proposed DOD Fitness Standards) (source)

As you will see, the USMC has the toughest physical standards, which apply to both combat and non-combat MOS (jobs). You will likely not see much complaining coming from the combat MOSs in the Marine Corps, as they are accustomed to maintaining high physical standards across the USMC. 

The test consists of Pullups (or Pushups), Plank, and 3 mile run.

*pushups are done if you cannot do pullups (but you cannot max out the test if you do pushups)

Marine Corps CFT Combat MOS (Proposed DOD Fitness Standards) (source)

The Combat Fitness Test comprises several activities in three events:

• Movement to Contact (MTC) Run 880 yards (two laps around a track), simulating movement in a battle dress uniform at a fast pace.
• Ammo Can Lift (ACL) Lift a 30-pound ammunition can overhead from shoulder height for max reps for two minutes.
• Manuever Under Fire (MUF) is a timed 300-yard shuttle run in which Marines are paired up by size and perform the following tasks: sprints, agility course, high crawl, low crawl, body drag, fireman carry, ammo can carry, push-ups and grenade throw.

There are other fitness tests within the USMC that include rucking, swimming, and pool skills within the Recon and MarSOC communities that adhere to high standards and should also be in the maximum range of the USMC PFT/CFT. These units already require advanced fitness tests and standards. 

Army Fitness Test (AFT) (source) 

The latest version of the Army Fitness Test consists of the following events:

Hex bar max deadlift 3RM (lbs) (MDL)
Hand Release Pushups 2 min (HRP)
Sprint, Drag, Carry (sprint 2x25m, sled drag 2x25m, carry 40lb KB 2x25m, sprint 2x25m) (SDC)
Plank pose (PLK)
2 Mile run (2MR)

Navy Physical Readiness Test (PRT) (source)

The Navy PRT consists of the following: Pushups, Plank Pose, 1.5 mile run (or 2km row or 500yd swim)

The Navy Special Warfare/Operations has both the Navy Physical Screening Test (PST) and the Human Performance Test (HPT) for all units in specialized groups like SEALs, SWCC, EOD, Diver, and Rescue Swimmer. The units already require advanced fitness tests and standards. 

Air Force Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) (source)

The Air Force is in the process of changing their current fitness test, but currently tests the following options twice a year: 

Height to Body Weight Ratio (WHR)
Pushups 1 min or HR Pushups 2 min
Situps 1 min or cross-legged reverse crunches 2 min or plank
2 mile run (once a year) then run 20m shuttle run Beep test, the other test date (graded in 20m lengths run to the beep timing)

The Air Force Special Warfare community requires all airmen to complete their own version of the Air Force Physical Fitness Assessment, in the form of Initial Fitness Tests (IFT) and Operator Fitness Tests (OFT). The units already require advanced fitness tests and standards. 

Still thinking about how to define CG and Space Force, but they should not shoot for minimum physical fitness standards either. 

Coast Guard Physical Fitness Test (PFT) (Source)

While the Coast Guard may not have traditional combat roles, they do a variety of high-risk searches and seizures at sea, which require a high level of fitness and tactical training. They are our homeland maritime force that engages all types of criminals, terrorist threats, and Mother Nature. This requires a high standard for their operators. Additionally, those involved in rescue operations are specialized Coast Guardsmen who must meet higher physical standards to perform their jobs effectively.  Here are their standards:
 

Space Force - It appears that the Space Force will implement the Air Force Fitness Standards this year, though the weight-to-height ratio is not a graded portion of its test.  (source)

I think "exceeding the physical standard IS the standard" is a mindset all combat units should have. Are these standards impossible to meet? NO. However, it does require time and focused training on these events to achieve the proposed levels. 

Therefore, the military members require more time to train and better food in the chow halls if they truly want to achieve this level of fitness across the board.