Introduction
In the modern world of military defense, the focus is primarily on the strength and stamina of military personnel. In order to assess the readiness of soldiers for military service, the army uses two physical fitness assessments: the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) and the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). Both tests are designed to test the physical condition of soldiers, but the latter is more comprehensive and of greater interest from the point of view of physical training.
Compared to the APFT, the Army Combat Fitness Test provides a more comprehensive assessment of the physical readiness of soldiers. It provides a more rational indicator of a soldier’s ability to fight. The following is an analysis of why the Army Combat Fitness Test is the preferred test for evaluating the physical readiness of soldiers.
Comparison of the APFT and the ACFT Tests
The Army Physical Fitness Test was developed to assess the physical fitness of military personnel and test their suitability for military service. The test consists of three components – a two-mile run, a push-up test with a barbell, and a press. All three components were designed to evaluate the cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and physical endurance of military personnel (United States Army, 2020). However, the test only evaluates specific physical characteristics and cannot give a complete picture of military personnel’s physical fitness and moral worth.
The Army Combat Fitness Test was designed to evaluate physical fitness and military personnel’s merits more accurately. The test consists of six components that provide a more detailed assessment of military personnel’s physical characteristics and readiness for combat. These include three physical and three components oriented toward moral merit (Bigelman et al., 2019). The test also provides an additional assessment of military personnel in categories such as neatness and stress tolerance.
The three physical events in the ACFT consist of a 3-mile run, pull-ups, and a medicine ball throw. These events provide a more detailed assessment of the physical capabilities of service members, far surpassing the power of the APFT. The 3-mile run provides more practical data on the cardiorespiratory fitness and endurance of service members (Bigelman et al., 2019). Additionally, the pull-ups and medicine ball throws allow for a better evaluation of the muscular strength and power of service members.
The three events oriented towards moral worth include a security board, a march, and a tactical board. These events allow for an assessment of the service members’ knowledge of security, their ability to march and perform tactical maneuvers, and their readiness to perform combat missions. Thus, the ACFT provides a more detailed and accurate assessment of the physical and moral capabilities of service members than the APFT (United States Army, 2020). The three physical events offer a more detailed evaluation of cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and physical endurance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Army Combat Fitness Test demonstrates its advantage over the Army Physical Fitness Test as a more realistic tool designed to assess the physical fitness of military personnel. It more accurately and fully reflects the skills necessary to maintain morale and prepare the military to fulfill their duties.
Unlike the Army Physical Fitness Test, it includes exercises that are close to actual combat conditions and more accurately reflect the principles of combat training. The new test provides more opportunities for military personnel to prepare for their duties in various combat situations. Furthermore, it contributes to increased morale and supports the ideals upon which the army is based. Therefore, the Army Combat Fitness Test would be a more effective means of assessing the physical fitness of military personnel than the Army Physical Fitness Test.
References
Army, U. S. (2020). The Army Combat Fitness Test. Lulu.com.
Bigelman, K. A., East, W. B., Thomas, D. M., Turner, D., & Hertling, M. (2019). The new Army Combat Fitness Test: an opportunity to improve recruitment and retainment. Obesity, 27(11), 1772-1775.