Army deadlift standards for the AFT 3-rep max
Last updated: 24 September 2026
Key takeaways
Army deadlift standards for the Army Fitness Test are a 3-repetition maximum on a 60-pound hex bar. For ages 17–21, HQDA EXORD 218-25 Annex B scores a male soldier 60 points at 150 pounds and 100 points at 340 pounds. A female soldier the same age scores 60 points at 120 pounds and 100 points at 220 pounds. Grade the lift in the AFT calculator, then copy the points onto a DA Form 705 score card.
17–21 point weights
Annex B, approved 1 May 2025 and effective 1 June 2025, lists the 3-repetition deadlift in pounds. The first male column and the first female column are the 17–21 rows. Combat MOS still needs 350 total points across five events. That total is not a 350-pound deadlift.
| Points | Male 17–21 | Female 17–21 |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 340 lb | 220 lb |
| 60 | 150 lb | 120 lb |
The GoArmy event card prints a single 60-point figure of 140 pounds and a 100-point figure of 340 pounds. Use 140 pounds only as that summary card. The age-and-sex table used here is Annex B: 150 pounds for a 17–21 male at 60 points. Older cohorts step down on the same sheet. Read them on the AFT score chart. The calculator’s 17–21 male 60-point deadlift is 150 pounds, matching this row. The 2-mile column on that engine is a separate official table.
How the grader runs the lift
GoArmy’s MDL instructions put the soldier inside a 60-pound hex bar, feet about shoulder-width, hands on the center of the handles in a closed grip. On “GET SET,” arms are straight, the back is flat, and the heels stay down. On “GO,” the soldier stands by extending hips and knees together. Hips should not shoot up ahead of the shoulders. After the upright position, the bar returns to the ground under control and the plates touch.
Three continuous repetitions at one weight are one attempt. The maximum is two attempts. A failed first attempt is retested lighter. A clean first attempt may be repeated once, heavier. Log the successful weight, then the points, on the score card. Soldiers in a combat MOS still need the 350-point total described on the combat standard page. The deadlift itself is not scored to 350 pounds.
Reps that do not count
The five-event hub lists the other four events. Forearm plank times are on the army plank standards page. GoArmy stops the repetition when the bar is dropped, when the plates do not touch the ground, or when the lifter loses balance. A rounded back is a safety stop, not a partial rep to round up. Letting go of the handles between reps ends the continuous set. The National Guard walkthrough of the same event describes the top position as ear, shoulder, hip, and ankle in one line, with a short pause before the controlled descent.
Source: HQDA EXORD 218-25 Annex B scoring tables (PDF), effective 1 June 2025, and GoArmy, 3 Repetition Maximum Deadlift.
FAQ
What is the Army deadlift standard for a passing AFT score?
Male 17–21: 150 pounds for 60 points. Female 17–21: 120 pounds for 60 points. Both figures are a 3-repetition maximum.
How many deadlift attempts does the AFT allow?
Two. One lighter retest after a miss, or one heavier attempt after a make.
What bar does the 3-rep max deadlift use?
A 60-pound hex bar. Plates must touch the ground. A dropped bar does not count.
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