Army soldiers will soon be required to meet new “sex-neutral” physical fitness standards as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, himself a combat vet, moves to de-woke the armed forces and make the entire force focus on performance and lethality.

The U.S. Army mandates that all soldiers demonstrate their physical capabilities by passing a demanding fitness test—a requirement that has evolved over time. Most recently, the Army announced it will implement a new version of the test.

Beginning June 1, 2025, the Army will introduce the Army Fitness Test (AFT), which will replace the current Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT).

According to an Army press release, the new test, based on “18 months of data analysis and feedback from thousands of test iterations,” will introduce updated scoring standards that emphasize “readiness and combat effectiveness.”

Soldiers have until Jan. 1, 2026, to meet the new requirements without facing “adverse actions,” Fox News reported.

Active-duty soldiers must complete the test twice annually, while soldiers in the Army Reserve and Army National Guard must record their scores once a year.

“The AFT is designed to improve soldier readiness and ensure physical standards [and] prepare soldiers for the demands of modern warfare,” said Sgt. Maj. Christopher Mullinax, senior enlisted leader, deputy chief of staff for Operations, Army Headquarters, in the release. “It emphasizes holistic fitness over event-specific training and is grounded in performance.”

The new test features more stringent scoring requirements, with the highest standards reserved for soldiers serving in direct combat roles.

“Combat standards are sex-neutral for the 21 direct combat roles, a change designed to ensure fairness and operational readiness,” the release states.

The new test consists of:

Three-repetition maximum deadlift: In this event, the soldier must complete three repetitions lifting the maximum weight possible using a 60-pound hex bar with added plates.

The exercise evaluates muscular strength, balance, and flexibility.

Hand-release push-ups: “Hand release push-ups require a person to drop all the way to the ground, lift their hands in the air for a second, and then push themselves back up to high plank,” said Hill, who is also a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo, Fox News noted.

Sprint-drag carry: In the sprint-drag-carry (SDC) event, the soldier must complete five 50-meter shuttles—sprint, sled drag, lateral shuffle, kettlebell carry, and a final sprint—as quickly as possible, using two 40-pound kettlebells and a 90-pound sled.

“The sprint-drag-carry is probably the toughest sequence here, since it requires explosive strength, muscular endurance and cardiovascular endurance,” Hill said.

Plank: Fox noted: “The soldier must maintain a proper plank position for as long as possible, testing muscular endurance and balance.”

Two-mile run: The soldier must complete a timed two-mile run on a flat outdoor course to test aerobic endurance.