ACFT ALTERNATE EVENTS

ACFT Alternate Events – Army Combat Fitness

There has been a LONG debate about the ACFT alternate events for the new Army Combat Fitness Test. What should the ACFT Alternate Events be for Soldiers on permanent profiles?  Well the answers are in. These Alternate Events are not easy either! I LIKE IT! Read more and find out!

FAQ: Army ACFT Alternate Events

Will the ACFT have alternate events?

Yes, The ACFT will have Alternate Events. The Alternate Events were created for those Soldiers on Profile who can NOT perform the 2 Mile Run Event.

What are the alternate events for the ACFT?

The Alternate Events on the ACFT are:
1. Walk – 2.5 Miles
2. Bike – 12k Meters
3. Row – 5k Meters or…
4. Swim – 1k Meters

New ACFT Alternate Events 2022

ACFT ALTERNATE EVENT STANDARDS- NEW! – 2022

https://www.army.mil/acft/

Army 2.5 Mile Walk – The NEW Alternate Event

That’s right; the Army has returned the 2.5 mile walk test. The 2.5 mile walk was the newest addition to the ACFT alternate events. The 2.5 Mile walk is for Soldiers who are not able to perform the other alternate events (Row, Bike, or Swim). Please see the standards for the Army 2.5 mile walk test above.

Update on Alternate Events

Army 2.5 Mile Walk!

Army 2.5 Mile Walk
ACFT Alternate Events – 2.5 mile walk

The US Army

The 3 “Must-Do ACFT Events” & Alternate Events

Alternate Events Audio

“No Exceptions” For the modified ACFT Alternate Events Standards.

The Army is introducing a new physical fitness test. The current test the Army Physical Fitness Test or APFT has been the test of record since it was implemented in 1980. It consists of two minutes of push-ups, two minutes of setups and a two-mile run. 

The new PT test the Army Combat Fitness Test or ACFT, consists of six events that are based on tasks a Soldier might encounter in training or in combat. This test will become the test of record by 1 October 2020.

For Soldiers on a permanent profile, the Army has developed a modified ACFT  within the limits of their profile. Soldiers on permanent profile will complete the three most critical test events:

The 3 “MUST EVENTS” : ACFT Alternate Events – New US Army Combat Fitness Test

3 MUST-DO - ACFT Alternate Events
  1. Dead-Lift
  2. Sprint Drag Carry
  3. 1 Aerobic Event
    • 2 Mile Run or one of the following:
      • Walk
      • Row
      • Bike
      • Swim

Aerobic Alternate Event Options – Army ACFT

If you are not able to perform the 2 Mile Run event you will have to choose one of the following Alternate Events. Below are the standards for the Aerobic Alternate Events.

2.5 Mile Walk Standards

Walk

12,000 Meter Bike Standards

Alternate Event ACFT - Bike

Bike

1,000 Meter Swim Standards

Swim ACFT Alternate Events #3

Swim

5,000 Meter Row Standards

Row ACFT Alternate Events #2

Row

Rules and Regs for ACFT Alternate Events Standards: 

  • There are no exceptions to the modified ACFT testing sequence or protocols. 
  • Soldiers on permanent profiles must be cleared by the medical provider before taking the modified ACFT.
  • The stationary row and bike machines must have:
    • Adjustable resistance and must be available for training and testing. 
    • Seat handles and foot straps (must be adjusted to accommodate soldiers of different sizes). 
    • An odometer.
    • Good working order / calibrated prior to testing.

During the test:

  • Soldiers may pause briefly to rest and adjust the resistance, grip, or seat position. 
  • Soldiers should NOT rest for more than 30 seconds at any point to keep machine odometers from resetting to zero.

Pass / Fail:

Point scales are currently being developed. 

60 point PASS/FAIL

US Army
  • The NCOIC should transition from the sprint-drag-carry test to an aerobic test event in 10 minutes or as soon as possible similar to the scoring for the two-mile run test event.
  • Soldiers will receive more points the faster they complete the row, bike, or swim. 
  • Point scales are currently being developed. 
  • The current 60-point PASS/FAIL is the standard for now.

Bike – 12,000 meter – Alternate ACFT Event Standards

Video Instructions for: Bike – 12,000 meter – Alternate ACFT Event Standards
MP3 ACFT Alt Event Bike Standards

Bike Event Information – ACFT Alternate Events Standards: 

The NCOIC should attempt to start the 12,000 meter bike test within 10 minutes or as soon as possible.

  • The OIC or NCOIC is responsible to inspect and validate the stationary bike. 
  • The OIC or NCOIC should check the stationary bike to make sure it’s serviceable and that the odometer is functioning correctly. 
  • The 12,000 meters stationary bike test event measures your level of aerobic fitness. 
  • The resistance should be set at the mid level between low and high.
  • On the command “Go” the clock will start.
  • Soldiers should begin pedaling at their own pace. 
  • You may stop pedaling and rest at any point during the 12,000 meter ride but may not dismount the bike. 
  • SM will be scored on the ability to complete the 12,000 meter distance  
  • The test taker will receive more points the faster he/she completes 12,000 meters. (soon to come)
  • SM may set the bike resistance and make any individual adjustments necessary.

NCOIC / OIC Instructions for Starting: 

Are you ready to begin?

Get set. 

Go!

Instructor: NCOIC/OIC

Key Points – ACFT Bike Event: 

  1. Soldiers may rest at any point during the 12,000 meter bike test, It is advised not to rest too long. 
  2. SM should not rest for more than 30 seconds, at any point to keep the bike odometer from resetting to zero.
    • This will result in an event failure
  3. Soldiers may not dismount the bike machine. 

NCOIC / OIC Instructions for Completion: 

You are at ____ meters and have 5 minutes remaining.

Stop.

You have completed the 12,000 meters stationary bike test event. 

You have completed 12,000 meters in 23 minutes and 39 seconds 

Good job!

Row – 5,000 meter – Alternate ACFT Event Standards

YouTube Channel: US ARMY ACFT Alternate Events
Army ACFT Alternate Event Row MP3

Row Event Information – ACFT Alternate Events Standards: 

  • The OIC or NCOIC should attempt to start the 5000 meter row test within 10 minutes or as soon as possible.
  • The test OIC or NCOIC is responsible for inspecting and validating that the stationary rower is serviceable and that the odometer is functioning correctly.
  • The resistance should be set at the mid-level between low and high.
  • You will take a seated position on the rower.
  • Ready to begin on the command “GO” the clock will start.
  • You should begin rowing at your own pace. 
  • You may rest at any point during the 5000 meter row, BUT may not dismount the rower.
  • SM will be scored on your ability to complete the 5000 meter row as fast as possible.
  • SM will receive more points the faster they finish. (Standards – soon to come)

OIC or NCOIC’s Instructions to Soldier: 

Take a seated position on the rower and get ready to begin.

Secure your feet and grasp the handles.

Are you ready to begin?

Get set.

Go

OIC / NCOIC

Key Points – ACFT Row Event: 

  1. Soldiers may rest at any point during the 5,000 meter row test.
  2. SM should not rest for more than 30 seconds at any point to keep the row machine from resetting and resulting in an event failure.
  3. Soldiers may not dismount the rowing machine. 

OIC or NCOIC Instructions for Completion Soldier: 

You are at the 4,800 meter mark and have five minutes remaining.

You have 100 meters remaining.

Stop.

You have completed the 5000 meter stationary row test.

Your time is 23 minutes and 43 seconds for 5000 meters.

Good job!

Swim – 1,000 meter – Alternate ACFT Event Standards

Army ACFT Alternate Event Swim MP3

Swim Event Information – ACFT Alternate Events Standards: 

  • The OIC or NCOIC should attempt to start the 1000 meter swim test within 10 minutes or as soon as possible.
  • The OIC or NCOIC is responsible for inspecting and validating the pool.
  • Either a 25 or 50 meter swimming pool is acceptable. 
  • The OIC or NCOIC is responsible for converting the 1000 meter distance to yards if using a 25 or 50 yard pool.
  • The 1000 meter swim measures your level of aerobic fitness. 
  • You begin the test with a controlled entry into the water. 
  • No diving is allowed at the start.
  • You must have a hand and foot in contact with the wall of the pool.

NCOIC or OIC Instructions: 

  • On the command “Go” the clock will start. 
  • You should begin swimming at your own pace. 
  • Using any stroke or combination of strokes, you must swim 20 laps for this pool to complete the 1000 meter distance. 
  • You must touch the wall at each end of the pool as you turn on every lap. 
  • Any type of turn is authorized. 
  • Pressing by standing on the bottom of the pool or holding on to the wall is authorized. 
  • You may not walk on the bottom of the pool.
  • Swimming goggles and caps are permitted but no other equipment is authorized unless specified by your profile.
  • You’ll be scored on your ability to complete the swim in 25 minutes. 
  • You’ll receive more points the faster you swim the 1000 meters. 
  • Civilian swim attire is authorized in place of the APFU)

NCOIC / NCO Instructions to Start: 

Are you ready? 

Get set.

Go!

Key Points:

  1. Soldiers must have at least one hand and one foot on the wall when starting.
  2. SM may use any stroke or combination of strokes.
  3. Tester may execute a flip turn as used in the Freestyle Stroke or Touch Turn used in the breaststroke.
  4. The soldier must touch the wall at each end on every turn and CAN rest on the wall as needed.

Army Alternate Events – Resources:

ACFT Alternate Events PDF Download

ACFT Printout of Alternate Events.pdf

BONUS: Top 3 Rowing Tips – Row Faster Now!

TOP 3 ROWING TIPS! – Row – ACFT Alternate Events

I would like to share with you some tips and tricks for better performance on the ACFT Alternate Events for all of you who are on profile. These useful tips are meant for rowing workouts and they can easily help you to cut your stroke rate and time in half. The tips provided here can be used for improving your score on the ACFT Standards.

Crew is One Hell of a Sport

I was participating in rowing for a crew team for several years during my high school years. I continued with rowing afterward because it’s a great workout for your body without a doubt. So, I learned some tricks and tips when I was rowing with my team that helped me to lower my stroke rate and estimated the time needed for achieving the wanted results.

Rowing is a team sport and everybody needs to row efficiently and properly. Meaning, every single improvement for every team member that can be used during rowing is crucial for a better result.

Because of that, I would like to share the top 3 tricks for rowing with you guys, and of course, feel free to share them with your friends. Also, make sure that you hit the like button, subscribe to my channel and enjoy the workout.

Tip 1 – Full Stroke

One of the common mistakes that many people make while rowing is that they only do half of the pull stroke. They are stopping with the stroke half way, or in other words they are only doing half the distance needed for pulling the full stroke.

The first thing you need to do is to extend your arms fully forward to almost touching the row machine with the handles. Then, lean all the way back with your body set in position almost parallel to the ground to do the full stroke. This will double your previous stroke, and also this will cut your stroke reps in half. With this tip you won’t need to go up and down the slide as much.

Power Back, Slow & Controlled Forward

Row faster ACFT Alt Event

Now you can fully concentrate on your power and your breathing while doing a more powerful stroke. While doing the full stroke you need to pull up your stroke all the way up to the chest, not to your bellybutton like you used to before. The diagram in the video shows the comparison between your old stroke and the new stroke. You can see that doing the full stroke means less reps, more meters, less fatigue and better ACFT score! 

Tip 2 – Proper Breathing

ACFT ALT EVENTS Row

The next thing to focus on during rowing is your breathing. You should breathe out on the way back while you are pulling the stroke and breathe in while you are coming forward. This is the important part, you should be breathing in while going up the slide, slowly and controlled so you can catch a good breath. This is crucial for you to not run out of breath during the workout.

Just Like Lifting

Row Faster ACFT Alternate Events

While pulling your stroke you should breathe out, like you do while doing weightlifting or squatting. So, set your focus on going up slow and powering backwards. This is when we use maximum energy output and it’s the hardest part of the stroke, when you are pushing against the fan.

Tip 3 – Fan adjustment

Fan Adjust on Rowing Machine ACFT Army

First of all, some of you are wondering what (BEEP) is that thing located on the side of the Rower. That is the fan adjustment controller. You can set your difficulty level of the rowing machine from level 1 to 10. It’s important to understand what each level means.

Fan Levels

Setting the rowing machine to level 10 is usually designated for people who are stronger.  On the other hand, setting the rowing machine to level 1 is more designated for skinnier, cardio-type of athletes. The selector is on the side of the machine and you can select the suitable level for your workout.

It’s important to mention that if you choose to do your rowing workout at the maximum level, you should know that your focus will be on powered strokes and you will be coming up the slide much slower. Contrary to that, if you do your workout on the lowest level, your workout will be consisted of doing easier and faster reps – down and up the slide.

Get all 14 of Rob’s Rowing Tips Click Below

Row Faster on The Army Alternate Events Now!

ACFT Alternate Events Standards by Chis Chaos

The ACFT Alternate Event Standards are NO JOKE!  I like how have made exercises anyone can do on profile. Soldiers with bad joints can now do any of the 3 alternate events. What I like most about the Alternate events is you better not be FAKING YOUR PROFILE because these standards are high.  One of my favorite YouTuber Chris Chaos has something to say. If you like Chris’s video make sure you subscribe to his channel. Enjoy!

File name: Alternates Events Standards for the ACFT

Link: https://youtu.be/yBmB3MrZ190

Speaker: Christopher Chaos

Date: November 13, 2019.

So, if a soldier in United States Army has some sort of injury that is not serious enough to kick them out of the army, then they go on what is called a permanent profile and they still have to complete the Army Combat Fitness Tests. They just have some alternate events that they have to do. In this video we’re gonna be talking about those alternate events.

What is up my friends? Welcome to an all new video. In this one I’m talking about the alternate events Standards of the Army Combat Fitness Test for those individuals in the United States Army that are on what is called a permanent profile and I have to explain a little bit of kind of like content to give you some context to what a permanent profile is.

Attention Future Army Soldiers

For those of you that are not in the army, maybe future soldiers yourself, as I’m aware that if you’re currently the army you know what that means and this first part may not be necessary to you but for those of you that are watching this that are future soldiers you’re going to need to know a little context as to what a permanent profile is and how a soldier ends up on a permanent profile. And then I’ll get into the alternate events of the Army Combat Fitness Test.

But before I do that make sure you are subscribed to this channel if you’re not already. Also hit that little bell so you get notifications when new videos go live; include the live streams and join the notification bell tune.  Let’s talk about the alternative events standards but first talking about what is a permanent profile. 

Let’s Talk about the ACFT Alternate Event Standards

So, if a soldier let’s say something happens where maybe they sprained their ankle or some kind of injury happened while they were doing PT or while they’re doing a training exercise something like that, they may go on what is called a temporary profile. So, they have some kind of restrictions to what they can and can’t do and then they have to have some kind of recovery timeframe to try to recover from this injury and then get reevaluated to come off of this temporary profile. 

There are some times where they don’t necessarily come off of that temporary profile because they didn’t heal properly or it’s not going to heal properly whatever the case might be and in that circumstance a soldier may receive what is called a permanent profile. 

Injuries

Now, this is usually for some sort of injury that may result in not necessarily that they can’t do the army job anymore they just have certain little restrictions here or there that they have to kind of abide by. So, it’s not serious enough for them to get maybe medically chaptered out of the army or discharged or whatever but something that through some limitations they can still continue to do the army job and just carry through with this permanent profile for maybe the rest of their army career or maybe for several years or whatever the case may kind of vary. 

But a permanent profile is evaluated by those doctors, they determine that and they determine if it’s a permanent profile or if it’s something just temporary and all that kind of stuff. 

Permeant Profiles

So, even with the previous PT test you still had an alternate kind of event that for permanent profile individuals that they had to do. You still had to do the pushups, you still had to do the sit-ups. But instead of doing the 2-mile run you had a walk. So, you would walk and you had a different time standard for the time you needed to finish this walk in to be able to pass the test.

With this new ACFT and having 6 events, well, some of those events are going to be very difficult for individuals with permanent profiles that doesn’t limit them from doing an army job and doesn’t require them to have to get kicked out of the army so, they have to kind of limit that down to actually 3 events. 

“Must Do” Events

So, for soldiers that are on what is this permanent profile, they have 3 events that they are going to be required to complete. Now 2 of those 3 events that someone on a permanent profile are going to have to complete are still the same 2 events that other soldiers have to complete i.e. the deadlift, that one is still required and the sprint drag carry. So those ones have the same requirements.

So, you still need to be able to do those 2. if you can’t do those 2 then you’re probably going to get chaptered out of the army. But if you can then those 2 events are what you have to be able to do and then you have to do some sort of aerobic event. 

The 3 Aerobic Events

Now they have 3 different aerobic events that you can do. Those 3 aerobic events that will be options for them to do is a stationary bike, a stationary rowing machine or a swim. Now actually, a swim was one of the alternate events for the PT test too but I don’t think I’ve ever seen anybody get to do the swim as an alternative event. Pretty much the most common one was the 2-mile walk. 

ACFT Standards for Alternate Aerobic Events

So, let’s talk about the standards are to pass those 3 aerobic events for individuals on permanent profile. So, with the stationary bike that is going to require them to do 15,000 meters; on the stationary rowing machine, they will need to do 5,000 meters and if they’re lucky enough to get to do the swim they have to do 1,000 meters. 

Now the requirement to pass any of those three events requires you to do whichever event you’re doing, the length you need to do it in, in 25 minutes or less. And then additionally to that when you transition from the deadlift, to the sprint drag carry and then you’re going to go over to the aerobic event you need to be doing so in 10 minutes or less. So, the rowing machine can’t be too far away or the exercise bike or swim pool can’t be too far away that’s going to give you more than a 10-minute rest time between doing that last event before you go off to do that alternate event.

Ultimate Events

Those are the 3 events that are the ultimate events that an individual on permanent profile will have to complete success. Like I said you have to do the distance in 25 minutes or less, you have to do a transition over that in less than 10 minutes and then if they pass the sprint drag carry, the deadlift and then whichever alternate event they’re doing of the aerobic event then they still pass the Army Combat Fitness Test. 

That is the three events for the alternate events of the ACFT. It’s definitely much shorter than someone who has to do the 6 events but this is what someone who is injured to have a permanent profile that do, that they can stay in the army and still continue to do their job they still need to do these three events. If they can’t do those three events, then yes, then it probably does result in medically being chaptered out of the army. 

Questions for Chris

So, maybe just a quick video kind of a thing just to let people know that we’re interested in about the ACFT alternate events standards because I received some questions about that. People wanting to know what were the alternate events because maybe they’re aware of the alternative events for the PT test, the army APFT, so you may be have been curious what the ACFT alternative events were for individuals on permanent profile. So, just kind of a quick video to kind of inform you.

 If there’s other things you want to know about the ACFT, whatever it may possibly be, if you leave those questions down in the comments section I’ll try to do my best to answer them. Maybe some other viewers watching this can help out. Maybe it can even result in a new topic for another ACFT video in the future. 

All right, so that’s it. That’s the ACFT Alternate Events Standards. Thank you so much for watching. If you enjoyed it and it was helpful in some way, hit that thumbs up. 

I’m Christopher Chaos. Thanks for watching and I’ll see you next time. See you.