The controversial leg tuck exercise left the Army feeling defeated and has now been substituted with the plank exercise instead.
The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) will consist of the 2-mile run, a deadlift, a modified push-up exercise, a medicine ball throw, and litter drag. It will replace the 40-year-old Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) which included three classic timed events, the push-up, sit-up, and 2-mile run.
The Army had ambitious plans for the ACFT, eliminating gender norming initially and attempting to implement a science-supported physical fitness regime would increase the soldier's performance in combat.
But the test met with immediate controversy and garnered Congressional attention. Even after compromises were floated which would set different standards to combat and support troops, and even when the standard was lowered to just a single leg tuck, many complained that the test was sexist.
Data showed that in 2021, 44% of female soldiers who took the ACFT were failing it as opposed to 7% of male soldiers. Some sources who spoke to Connecting Vets charged that the Army was turning its back on what the data indicated for political reasons.
Active Duty soldiers will begin taking the ACFT for record in October, but it will not be fully implemented across Reserve components until 2024.
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