Army Basic Training Physical Requirements: What Recruits Must Pass

What Are the Physical Requirements for Army Basic Training?

The physical requirements for Army basic training are medical qualification and body composition before shipping, a pre-shipping fitness assessment, and a passing Army Fitness Test (AFT) during training. MEPS checks medical fitness and body composition; recruiters verify the required fitness assessment before departure.

The AFT measures physical performance through the three-repetition maximum deadlift, hand-release push-up, sprint-drag-carry, plank, and two-mile run. Recruits generally need at least 60 points per event and 300 points in total to pass, while combat specialties follow a higher standard. The Army identifies the AFT as part of initial training for new Soldiers.

The three pre-shipping checkpoints begin with body composition standards, detailed below.

Height, Weight and Body Fat Standards for Army Recruits

Army recruit height, weight and body fat standards set screening limits by height, age and sex. Applicants must meet the minimum weight and remain within the applicable maximum screening weight, or meet the body-fat limit through an authorized assessment.

Height	Minimum weight	Maximum screening weight, men: ages 17–20 / 21–27 / 28–39 / 40+	Maximum screening weight, women: ages 17–20 / 21–27 / 28–39 / 40+	Maximum body fat, men: ages 17–20 / 21–27 / 28–39 / 40+	Maximum body fat, women: ages 17–20 / 21–27 / 28–39 / 40+
58 in	91 lb	N/A / N/A / N/A / N/A	119 / 121 / 122 / 124 lb	20% / 22% / 24% / 26%	30% / 32% / 34% / 36%
59 in	94 lb	N/A / N/A / N/A / N/A	124 / 125 / 126 / 128 lb	20% / 22% / 24% / 26%	30% / 32% / 34% / 36%
60 in	97 lb	132 / 136 / 139 / 141 lb	128 / 129 / 131 / 133 lb	20% / 22% / 24% / 26%	30% / 32% / 34% / 36%
61 in	100 lb	136 / 140 / 144 / 148 lb	132 / 134 / 136 / 138 lb	20% / 22% / 24% / 26%	30% / 32% / 34% / 36%
62 in	104 lb	141 / 145 / 149 / 153 lb	136 / 139 / 141 / 144 lb	20% / 22% / 24% / 26%	30% / 32% / 34% / 36%
63 in	107 lb	145 / 149 / 153 / 158 lb	141 / 144 / 146 / 149 lb	20% / 22% / 24% / 26%	30% / 32% / 34% / 36%
64 in	110 lb	150 / 155 / 160 / 165 lb	146 / 149 / 152 / 155 lb	20% / 22% / 24% / 26%	30% / 32% / 34% / 36%
65 in	114 lb	155 / 160 / 165 / 170 lb	150 / 154 / 158 / 162 lb	20% / 22% / 24% / 26%	30% / 32% / 34% / 36%
66 in	117 lb	160 / 165 / 170 / 175 lb	155 / 158 / 162 / 166 lb	20% / 22% / 24% / 26%	30% / 32% / 34% / 36%
67 in	121 lb	165 / 170 / 176 / 181 lb	159 / 163 / 167 / 172 lb	20% / 22% / 24% / 26%	30% / 32% / 34% / 36%
68 in	125 lb	170 / 175 / 181 / 187 lb	164 / 168 / 172 / 177 lb	20% / 22% / 24% / 26%	30% / 32% / 34% / 36%
69 in	128 lb	175 / 180 / 186 / 192 lb	169 / 173 / 177 / 182 lb	20% / 22% / 24% / 26%	30% / 32% / 34% / 36%
70 in	132 lb	180 / 185 / 191 / 197 lb	174 / 178 / 182 / 187 lb	20% / 22% / 24% / 26%	30% / 32% / 34% / 36%
71 in	136 lb	185 / 189 / 197 / 202 lb	179 / 183 / 188 / 193 lb	20% / 22% / 24% / 26%	30% / 32% / 34% / 36%
72 in	140 lb	189 / 194 / 201 / 207 lb	184 / 188 / 193 / 199 lb	20% / 22% / 24% / 26%	30% / 32% / 34% / 36%
73 in	144 lb	194 / 200 / 206 / 213 lb	189 / 194 / 199 / 204 lb	20% / 22% / 24% / 26%	30% / 32% / 34% / 36%
74 in	148 lb	199 / 204 / 211 / 218 lb	194 / 199 / 204 / 209 lb	20% / 22% / 24% / 26%	30% / 32% / 34% / 36%
75 in	152 lb	204 / 210 / 217 / 224 lb	200 / 205 / 210 / 215 lb	20% / 22% / 24% / 26%	30% / 32% / 34% / 36%
76 in	156 lb	209 / 216 / 223 / 230 lb	205 / 210 / 216 / 221 lb	20% / 22% / 24% / 26%	30% / 32% / 34% / 36%
77 in	160 lb	214 / 222 / 229 / 236 lb	210 / 215 / 221 / 227 lb	20% / 22% / 24% / 26%	30% / 32% / 34% / 36%
78 in	164 lb	219 / 228 / 235 / 242 lb	216 / 221 / 226 / 232 lb	20% / 22% / 24% / 26%	30% / 32% / 34% / 36%
79 in	168 lb	224 / 233 / 241 / 248 lb	222 / 227 / 232 / 238 lb	20% / 22% / 24% / 26%	30% / 32% / 34% / 36%
80 in	173 lb	229 / 238 / 247 / 254 lb	227 / 233 / 238 / 244 lb	20% / 22% / 24% / 26%	30% / 32% / 34% / 36%

The Army uses the applicable circumference-based body-fat assessment when an applicant exceeds the screening-table weight. The authorized measurements include height, neck and abdominal circumference for men, and height, neck, waist and hip circumference for women. Maximum body-fat limits are 20%, 22%, 24% and 26% for men across the four age groups, and women’s limits are 30%, 32%, 34% and 36%, according to Army Regulation 600-9, “The Army Body Composition Program”, published by Headquarters, Department of the Army, June 2013.

Applicants can estimate body fat before MEPS by taking consistent tape measurements and using the Army’s authorized worksheet. MEPS or Army-authorized personnel determine the official result, and applicants should confirm current accession guidance because body-composition policy may change.

Occupational Physical Assessment Test Before Shipping

The Occupational Physical Assessment Test (OPAT) is a four-event fitness assessment that applicants take before shipping to initial military training. The OPAT measures the standing long jump, seated power throw, strength deadlift, and interval aerobic run; the Army uses the results to place applicants in Moderate (gold), Significant (gray), or Heavy (black) physical-demand categories tied to military occupational specialties (MOS).

The article “Army to administer four-part OPAT to recruits” by C. Todd Lopez, June 2016, reports that Army recruiters administer the OPAT to future Soldiers before shipping to place each recruit in a best-fit MOS, and applicants must meet the category required for their selected MOS. Applicants who fall short may request a retest; applicants who still miss the required category may need to select an MOS with lower physical demands.

Medical Standards Checked in the MEPS Physical

The MEPS physical checks vision, hearing, blood and urine, general health, and joint and musculoskeletal function. Medical examiners review an applicant’s history and assess mobility, strength, prior injuries, and conditions affecting military service.

The Department of Defense accession standard identifies potentially disqualifying conditions involving cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, psychiatric, endocrine, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, skin, and musculoskeletal health, as set out in DoD Instruction 6130.03, Volume 1, “Medical Standards for Military Service: Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction”, issued by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness in May 2018 and amended through Change 6, February 2026. Applicants must disclose relevant medical history; service authorities may grant waivers after reviewing medical evidence, but some conditions do not qualify for waivers.

Which Army Fitness Test Standards Must Recruits Pass to Graduate Basic Training?

The Army Fitness Test standards that recruits must pass to graduate basic training are at least 60 points in each AFT event and the required total score. The five events are the 3-repetition maximum deadlift, hand-release push-up, sprint-drag-carry, plank, and two-mile run.

Event	Minimum raw performance	Minimum points per event	Minimum total score
3-repetition maximum deadlift	Reach the 60-point weight for the applicable age and sex group	60	300 general; 350 combat MOS
Hand-release push-up	Reach the 60-point repetition count for the applicable age and sex group	60	300 general; 350 combat MOS
Sprint-drag-carry	Finish within the 60-point time for the applicable age and sex group	60	300 general; 350 combat MOS
Plank	Hold for the 60-point time for the applicable age and sex group	60	300 general; 350 combat MOS
Two-mile run	Finish within the 60-point time for the applicable age and sex group	60	300 general; 350 combat MOS

The general AFT scoring scale adjusts raw performance by age and sex. The applicable Army score chart determines the exact weight, repetitions, hold time, or event time needed to earn 60 points.

A recruit must meet both the per-event minimum and the total score requirement. General-standard recruits need at least 300 total points, and recruits in designated combat MOS categories need at least 350 while still earning 60 points in every event, according to the article “Army establishes new fitness test of record to strengthen readiness and lethality” published by Army Public Affairs, April 2025.

Hand-Release Push-Up Minimum for Recruits

The hand-release push-up minimum depends on the recruit’s age-and-sex group in the AFT graduation table above. Recruits must complete the listed number of valid repetitions within two minutes and earn at least 60 points for the event; the general scoring scale varies by age and sex.

Each repetition requires the recruit to lower the body as one unit until the chest, hips, and thighs touch the ground, release both hands outward, then return the hands beneath the shoulders and push up to full elbow extension. A repetition does not count when the recruit sags or arches, fails to extend the elbows, or fails to return the hands to position; specified form violations can end the event.

2-Mile Run Time Recruits Must Beat

The 2-mile run time recruits must beat is the 60-point time for their age-and-sex category, and the 2-mile run is the fifth and final AFT event. For recruits ages 17–21, the approximate cutoff is 22:00 for males and 23:22 for females. Those cutoff times require an average pace of about 11:00 and 11:41 per mile, respectively.

The exact passing time varies by age and sex, so recruits should use the AFT graduation minimums table rather than treat either time as universal. Combat MOS recruits follow the separate combat scoring standard.

3-Repetition Maximum Deadlift Minimum for Recruits

The 3-repetition maximum deadlift minimum depends on the recruit’s age and sex group, as shown in the AFT graduation minimums table. Recruits lift an approved hexagonal bar, which weighs 60 pounds unloaded, and complete three continuous repetitions at the selected weight.

During each lift, recruits keep their backs flat, arms extended, and heels on the floor. ATP 7-22.01, “Holistic Health and Fitness Testing”, published by Headquarters, Department of the Army, March 2026, confirms that a recruit who fails the first attempt can make a second attempt at the same or a lower weight, while a recruit who completes three valid repetitions can attempt one heavier lift. The heaviest successful three-repetition lift counts as the score.

Sprint-Drag-Carry Time Limit for Recruits

The Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC) time limit applies to five consecutive 50-meter shuttles: sprint, sled drag, lateral movement, kettlebell carry, and final sprint. Recruits drag a 90-pound sled and carry two 40-pound kettlebells; the standard completion cap is four minutes across groups.

Recruits must follow the marked course, control the kettlebells, and cross the required line during each segment. A recruit meets the SDC minimum by finishing within the applicable time standard shown in the AFT graduation table.

Plank Hold Minimum for Recruits

The plank hold minimum depends on the recruit’s age and sex group in the AFT graduation minimums table above. Recruits must meet that hold time, earn at least 60 points for the event, and reach the required total score to pass the test.

During the plank, recruits keep a straight line from head to heels, supported by their forearms or fists and feet. The plank hold ends if another body part touches the ground, a hand or foot lifts, or the recruit fails to correct a position fault.

Do Combat MOS Recruits Need a Higher AFT Score to Graduate?

Yes, combat MOS recruits need a higher AFT score to graduate: at least 350 points in total and 60 points in each AFT event. The combat standard uses the same five events but applies sex-neutral, age-normed scoring. Covered specialties include infantry, armor and cavalry, combat engineering, field artillery, and Special Forces occupations, according to Army Directive 2025-06, “Army Fitness Test,” signed by Secretary of the Army Daniel P. Driscoll, April 2025.

The higher standard applies during the relevant Basic Combat Training or One Station Unit Training (OSUT) pipeline before graduation and MOS qualification. Recruits in other MOSs follow the general age- and sex-normed scoring scale.

Are Physical Requirements Different for Female Army Recruits?

Yes, physical requirements differ for female Army recruits under the general AFT scoring scale, which uses age- and sex-normed standards, while combat MOS recruits of both sexes use the same sex-neutral, age-normed combat standard. Army Public Affairs reports in “Army establishes new fitness test of record to strengthen readiness and lethality”, April 2025, that combat recruits must score at least 60 points in each event and 350 points in total.

Body-fat limits differ by sex and age. For ages 17–20, the maximum is 20% for males and 30% for females; from age 40 onward, the limits are 26% and 36%, respectively, as documented in Army Regulation 600-9, “The Army Body Composition Program”, June 2013. Army body composition standards apply separately from the combat MOS AFT policy.

How Do Recruits Move From MEPS Screening to the Record AFT?

Recruits move from MEPS medical and body-composition screening to a pre-shipping fitness assessment, then complete AFT checkpoints during basic training. MEPS checks medical qualification and height, weight, or body-fat standards; before shipping, applicants complete the physical assessment tied to their selected MOS. At reception, recruits enter initial training, where drill sergeants administer a diagnostic AFT in the first weeks of training to establish a baseline.

TRADOC Regulation 350-6, “Enlisted Initial Entry Training Policies and Administration,” issued by the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command in August 2025, places the record AFT in basic training’s final three weeks, before the FORGE field exercise, and schedules the OSUT record test during its final two weeks. The diagnostic AFT provides a first training checkpoint, while the record AFT determines whether a recruit meets the graduation fitness standard.

Step 1: Take the Diagnostic AFT Early in Basic Training

The diagnostic AFT gives recruits an initial baseline of their physical performance. Army basic-training reporting places the first assessment in Week 4, near the end of Red Phase. Drill sergeants review results across the five events to identify weaknesses and target physical training.

The diagnostic AFT serves as a training assessment, not the graduation pass-or-fail test. Drill sergeants use the baseline to prepare recruits for the record AFT that determines whether they meet the fitness requirement for graduation.

Step 2: Pass the Record AFT Before the Final Field Exercise

The record Army Fitness Test (AFT) usually takes place late in basic training, before the final field exercise or culminating training event. Recruits must earn at least 60 points in each event and 300 points in total under the general standard; combat-specialty recruits must meet the higher combat standard when it applies.

A passing record AFT supports graduation eligibility, alongside the other required training objectives. A recruit who fails does not meet the fitness requirement for graduation and may receive further training, a retest, recycling into a later training cycle, or separation.

What Happens If a Recruit Fails the AFT in Basic Training?

If a recruit fails the Army Fitness Test in basic training, the recruit usually receives remedial physical training and a later retest, rather than immediate separation. Institutional training courses set retest timing according to the course schedule and the recruit’s progress; standard 90-day or 180-day retest timelines for regular Soldiers do not apply.

A training command may recycle a recruit into a later company for additional preparation before reassessment. Continued failure or inability to complete training requirements can lead to separation after retraining and applicable administrative procedures.

How Can Recruits Check They Meet the AFT Standard Before Shipping to Basic Training?

Recruits can check they meet the AFT standard before shipping to basic training by matching a full mock-test score against the applicable graduation standard. The Army AFT uses five events and requires at least 60 points per event and 300 points in total under the general standard, according to “Fitness Requirements (AFT)” published by the U.S. Army on GoArmy.com (accessed November 2026); combat MOS recruits need 350.

Find the minimum for your age, sex, and MOS category.
Complete a mock AFT in event order: deadlift, hand-release push-up, sprint-drag-carry, plank, and 2-mile run.
Record each raw result and use the Army scoring tables or an AFT score calculator to convert results into points.
Compare every event score and your total score with the applicable graduation minimums.

How Does the AFT Score Calculator Show Whether You Meet Basic Training Physical Requirements?

The AFT score calculator shows whether you meet basic training physical requirements by converting raw results from the five events into points for each event. Recruits enter their age, sex, and MOS category, then add their deadlift, hand-release push-up, sprint-drag-carry, plank, and two-mile run results. The calculator compares each event with the applicable standard and shows whether the recruit meets its minimum.

Event points add up to a total score; recruits generally need at least 60 points per event and 300 points in total. Combat MOS recruits must meet the sex-neutral standard of 60 points per event and 350 points total. Recruits can use events flagged below the minimum to target their training before shipping.

How Should Recruits Train to Meet Basic Training Physical Requirements?

Recruits should train to meet basic training physical requirements by building event-focused strength, endurance, running capacity, and recovery habits for the Army Fitness Test (AFT). A mock AFT helps identify weak events before recruits increase training demands.

1. Establish an AFT baseline.

Complete all five AFT events in order: the 3-repetition maximum deadlift, hand-release push-up, sprint-drag-carry, plank, and 2-mile run. Record each raw result, then use the AFT score calculator to identify events below the applicable minimum. Repeat the mock test periodically, allowing recovery between assessments.

2. Build a running base for the 2-mile event.

Run three or four days per week, combining easy aerobic runs with one controlled interval or tempo session. Add faster 200- to 800-meter repetitions as fitness improves, and practice target 2-mile pace without sacrificing running form. Schedule easier or rest days between demanding sessions.

3. Progress deadlift strength safely.

Learn the hex-bar setup and lifting technique before increasing the load. Begin with a light weight, then add small increments when each repetition remains controlled. Support deadlift training with squats, hip hinges, glute bridges, rows, and loaded carries. Avoid frequent maximum attempts; the AFT deadlift requires three technically sound repetitions.

4. Improve push-up and plank endurance.

Practice hand-release push-ups in several submaximal sets, stopping before form breaks down. Increase total repetitions gradually instead of testing a maximum every workout. Build plank endurance with multiple controlled holds, keeping the body aligned from shoulders through heels.

5. Train for the sprint-drag-carry.

Practice short accelerations, sled drags, lateral movement, kettlebell carries, and controlled transitions. Begin with manageable loads and distances, then progress toward test demands. Maintain stable technique during sled movement, lateral shuttles, turns, and carries.

6. Manage body composition before MEPS.

Track body weight and follow a sustainable eating plan before the MEPS screening. Prioritize nutritious meals, hydration, and regular activity rather than crash dieting. Applicants above the Army screening weight may need a body-fat assessment, so gradual preparation gives them more time to address the standard.

7. Schedule recovery and taper before shipping.

Use warm-ups, mobility work, sleep, and easier training days to support recovery. Reduce training volume during the final week before shipping while keeping brief, easy practice sessions. Avoid maximum lifts, extreme dieting, and unusually hard workouts immediately before departure.

FM 7-22, “Holistic Health and Fitness”, the Army’s physical readiness doctrine published by Headquarters, Department of the Army in October 2020, treats event-focused preparation, balanced physical training, recovery, sleep, and nutrition as parts of Soldier readiness.

Daily PT Sessions Inside Army Basic Training

Daily PT sessions inside Army basic training usually take place at the start of the training day, before classroom instruction and other scheduled activities. Army basic training PT generally runs six days per week, with sessions moving from preparation and mobility drills to the main workout and recovery exercises.

Weekly workouts rotate endurance, strength, and mobility rather than repeating one routine daily. Running develops 2-mile endurance; strength circuits support the deadlift, while push-ups, planks, and sprint drills prepare recruits for the AFT’s other events. The Army describes unit physical training as a daily part of Army fitness culture.

Future Soldier Program Workouts Before Shipping

Future Soldier Program workouts give Army applicants recruiter-led physical training before shipping to Initial Military Training. Recruiting personnel schedule sessions as appropriate, with Army guidance recommending at least two sessions per month and a maximum session length of 90 minutes, including warm-up and stretching.

Recruiters can use mock fitness assessments and ability-based plans to identify weaknesses before the Army Fitness Test. Applicants who do not meet body-composition or fitness-related accession standards may qualify for the Future Soldier Preparatory Course, which offers up to 90 days of supervised training, nutrition education, and healthy-habit coaching.

How Do Army Basic Training Physical Requirements Compare With Other Branches?

Army basic training physical requirements compare with other branches through different tests and timing: the Army uses an occupational assessment before shipping and the Army Fitness Test (AFT) for basic-training graduation, while the Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy apply separate entry and recruit-training standards.

Branch	Entry fitness test	Test events	Minimum standard	When it is taken
Army	Occupational Physical Assessment Test (OPAT), followed by the AFT	OPAT: standing long jump, seated power throw, strength deadlift, and interval aerobic run. AFT: three-repetition maximum deadlift, hand-release push-ups, sprint-drag-carry, plank, and two-mile run.	OPAT results must meet the physical-demand category assigned to the intended MOS. AFT graduation requires the applicable minimum for each event and the required total score.	OPAT before shipping; diagnostic and record AFT during basic training.
Marine Corps	Initial Strength Test (IST)	Pull-ups or push-ups, plank, and 1.5-mile run.	Entry minimums include three pull-ups or 34 push-ups for male applicants, and one pull-up or 15 push-ups for female applicants. Applicants must meet the plank and run standards for their category.	Before shipping, through the recruiting process.
Air Force	No single pre-shipping test equivalent to the Army OPAT or Marine Corps IST	Basic Military Training assesses cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, and core endurance. Fitness events include a run, push-ups, and core exercises.	Trainees must meet the applicable BMT graduation fitness standards. Exact thresholds depend on the current Air Force standard and the trainee’s category.	Fitness training and assessment during Basic Military Training.
Navy	Navy Physical Readiness Test (PRT) or applicable recruit-training assessment	Push-ups, plank, and 1.5-mile run, with Navy scoring rules and authorized alternatives.	Applicants and recruits must meet current Navy age- and sex-based standards; Navy thresholds do not correspond to Army AFT points.	Under current recruiting and recruit-training requirements.

The Army OPAT measures physical capacity for an assigned military occupational specialty, while the AFT measures performance for basic-training graduation. The Marine Corps IST screens basic strength and endurance before recruit training; Air Force and Navy standards follow their own training and scoring systems. Applicants should confirm current requirements with their branch recruiter because event rules and minimums can change.

Marine Corps Initial Strength Test Before Recruit Training

The Marine Corps Initial Strength Test (IST) screens applicants before recruit training. During the Delayed Entry Program, Marine recruiters assess poolees with pull-ups or push-ups, a plank, and a 1.5-mile run. Male applicants must complete three pull-ups or 34 push-ups within two minutes, hold a plank for 40 seconds, and run 1.5 miles within 13:30. Female applicants must complete one pull-up or 15 push-ups within two minutes, hold a plank for 40 seconds, and run within 15:00, according to “Enlistment Requirements” published by the U.S. Marine Corps on Marines.com (accessed November 2026).

The Marine Corps IST measures basic strength, core endurance, and running ability before shipping. The Army’s pre-shipping assessment evaluates occupational physical demands, while the Army Fitness Test (AFT) sets a separate graduation standard across five events: deadlift, hand-release push-ups, sprint-drag-carry, plank, and a two-mile run. The IST therefore screens entry readiness; the Marine screening test does not match the AFT’s broader event range or replace fitness testing during recruit training.

Air Force Basic Military Training Fitness Standards

Air Force Basic Military Training fitness standards assess push-ups, sit-ups, a 1.5-mile run, and body composition. Stew Smith’s “Air Force BMT Physical Fitness Test”, published by Military.com in September 2021, lists the minimum Liberator graduation standard for male trainees as 45 push-ups, 50 sit-ups, and the run in 11:57, with push-ups and sit-ups counted during one-minute events. Female trainees must complete 27 push-ups, 50 sit-ups, and the run in 14:21, and trainees must meet the applicable body-composition requirement.

Unlike the Army AFT, which tests five events and combines event scores, the Air Force assessment uses push-ups, sit-ups, running, and body-composition screening. The branch comparison table above shows how the Air Force graduation assessment differs from the Army’s deadlift, hand-release push-up, sprint-drag-carry, plank, and two-mile run standards.

Are Army Basic Training Physical Requirements Getting Harder in 2026?

Yes, Army basic training physical requirements are getting harder in 2026, but the changes do not raise the standard equally for every recruit. The Army replaced the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) with the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), then introduced the five-event Army Fitness Test (AFT) in 2025. Sgt. Woodlyne Escarne reported in “Army introduces new fitness test for 2025,” published by the U.S. Army in May 2025, that the AFT retains the deadlift, hand-release push-up, sprint-drag-carry, plank, and two-mile run and removes the ACFT’s standing power throw. The APFT sit-up and the ACFT leg tuck were replaced earlier in the test’s development.

In 2026, recruits assigned to designated combat MOSs must meet a sex-neutral, age-normed minimum of 60 points per event and 350 points in total. The Army has tightened body-composition enforcement for Soldiers through a waist-to-height ratio standard, as Army Public Affairs reported in “Army modifies body composition program, adopts waist-to-height ratio,” July 2026, but applicants and recruits must meet the accession rules in force at their processing checkpoints. Recruits shipping in 2026 should prepare for medical screening, body-composition checks, any required pre-shipping fitness assessment, and the applicable AFT graduation standard.