"New" Army Standards

 The Army Combat Fitness Test.... 

Finally time I said something about this one. The ACFT as it is called has been in the works since prior to 2016. It was supposed to be the test of record April 1st, 2022. 

Well, shit happens and dates change. Major changes were just made and will be put into effect on April 1st. For those of you that weren't tracking the test was as follows: Deadlift, Standing power throw, hand release push-ups, sprint drag carry, leg tuck, and a two mile run. The test was one standard for both male and females, and for all ages. 

This was sort of a mess. but it was a test, and the powers above knew it needed to be fixed. 

So here are the changes: No more leg tuck, now we have a plank (lets make time stand still for a minimum of one minute and ten seconds). The test now has age and gender specific requirements. Finally, there is a 2.5 mile walk, for those of us that are permanently broken. 

Heres my take on each even:

- Deadlift- Is what it is... However, everything that is over 80lbs in the Army has paint or a label on it that says two-person lift. The minimum for my age is 120lbs...

- Standing Power Throw- Never in my Army Career have I had to throw something backwards ver my head, especially a 10lb ball. 

- Hand Release Push-ups- The push-up will always be a part of the Army. Once again, it is what it is. My minimum is ten. 

- Sprint-Drag-Carry- This one is a bitch. 300 meters, doing various exercises. I especially hate this one, because this what I hurt my knee on practicing for.  Its not going away, so I'm just going to have to deal with it. 

-Plank- So doing one leg tuck was too hard for people, so they made the plank the exercise of record. Screw that. Planks suck. Time doesn't move when you are doing a plank. One minute will feel like 20. 

-2 mile run- The longest combat run in the last 40 years was less than one mile. Why is 2 miles needed? Because the Army says so, thats why...

-2.5 mile walk- I like that this came back, however the time allowed for my old ass is 5.5 minutes less than what it used to be, after doing a more strenuous test. Not too sure what the idea was behind this, I've never walked 2.5 miles in 31 minutes before, can it even be done?

-Age and Gender specific grading- because I am old, I like this change. It may even save a few years on my body, who know. 

That all being said, whether you like the test of not its here. Its not going away.

Just Shut Up and Do it!!!