What is the Combat Field Test (CFT) under Army Directive 2026-07?

The Combat Field Test (CFT) is an operational physical readiness assessment established by Army Directive 2026-07 and HQDA EXORD 103-26. It consists of seven consecutive tactical movement stations executed in full Army Combat Uniform (ACU) with boots, requiring completion in 30 minutes or less on a sex-neutral pass/fail basis.

Which soldiers must take the annual Combat Field Test?

The CFT is mandatory for soldiers assigned to 24 designated combat Military Occupational Specialties (MOSs) and Areas of Concentration (AOCs), including Infantry (11-series), Combat Engineers (12-series), Field Artillery (13-series), Special Forces (18-series), Armor/Cavalry (19-series), and EOD (89-series).

How does the CFT integrate with the Army Fitness Test (AFT)?

Combat MOS soldiers must complete both the annual AFT (5 events, minimum 350 points) and the annual CFT (7 stations, under 30:00). Units must schedule the two assessments at least four months apart to optimize training cycles.

Army Directive 2026-07HQDA EXORD 103-2630:00 Flat Standard

Combat Field Test (CFT) Tracker

Log split times across all seven continuous CFT stations. The assessment is sex-neutral and pass/fail, requiring a cumulative time of 30 minutes or less in full ACU uniform with combat boots.

STANDARD:30:00 CUMULATIVE CAP

CUMULATIVE TIME:23:50

1-Mile Run (Entry)

Aerobic buy-in under load

30 Dead-Stop Push-Ups

Upper body chest-to-deck

100m Sprint

Anaerobic maximum sprint

16 Sandbag Lifts (40 lbs)

Lift to 60-inch platform

50m Water Can Carry

2 x 45-lb 5-gal water cans

High/Low Crawl & Rush

50m tactical bounding

2nd 1-Mile Run (Exit)

Terminal cardiovascular test

✓ GO / PASSED (MEETS COMBAT STANDARD)

Completed in 23:50 (6:10 under the 30:00 maximum limit)

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Official 2026 AFT 5-Event Score Calculator

Evaluate your 3-Rep Max Deadlift, HRP, Sprint-Drag-Carry, Plank, and 2-Mile Run points with real-time scoring and AR 600-9 tape test exemption checks.

Understanding the Combat Field Test (CFT) Architecture

Introduced under Army Directive 2026-07 and operationalized via HQDA EXORD 103-26, the Combat Field Test (CFT) is designed to assess dynamic, combat-specific physical capabilities that gym-based tests cannot replicate. Unlike the AFT, which evaluates broad athletic capacities (maximal strength, anaerobic power, and aerobic capacity), the CFT measures functional tactical stamina under sustained operational stressors.

How the 7 Continuous Stations Operate

The CFT must be conducted on an outdoor turf, dirt, or tactical training surface. The timer starts on the first stride of Station 1 and runs continuously without stoppage until the soldier crosses the finish line of Station 7:

Station 1: 1-Mile Entry Run

Executed in uniform with boots. Establishes baseline elevated heart rate and tests pacing discipline under thermal load.

Station 2: 30 Dead-Stop Push-Ups

Requires full chest-to-deck contact with hands lifted off the ground between repetitions, eliminating momentum and testing pure horizontal pushing power.

Station 3: 100-Meter Sprint

A maximum anaerobic acceleration shuttle simulating bounding under hostile fire across open terrain.

Station 4: 16 Sandbag Lifts (40 lbs)

Lifting 40-lb sandbags from the ground onto a 60-inch simulated 5-ton vehicle bed, measuring explosive triple extension and spinal stabilization.

Station 5: 50-Meter Water Can Carry

Transporting two 45-lb military 5-gallon water cans (90 lbs total), evaluating grip endurance, trapezius strength, and pelvic stability.

Station 6: 50-Meter Crawl & 3-5 Second Rush

25m of low/high crawling followed by 25m of alternating 3-5 second tactical bounding rushes to simulate reacting to contact.

Station 7: 2nd 1-Mile Exit Run

The decisive terminal endurance assessment, demanding sustained VO2 max output on pre-exhausted leg musculature.

24 Combat Specialties Governed by the CFT

Compliance is mandatory for all 24 combat MOS/AOC codes: 11A, 11B, 11C, 11Z (Infantry); 12A, 12B, 12D (Engineers & Divers); 13A, 13F (Field Artillery & FIST); 18A–18Z (Special Forces); 19A, 19C, 19D, 19K, 19Z (Armor & Cavalry); and 89D, 89E (EOD).