Don’t look at us. We are pretty sure here at Popular Airsoft that we can carry beer bottles than carrying weights, so we are not in the best position to answer this question. But if you have been looking for a fitness regimen that you think is appropriate for meeting the challenges of Milsim, then you might want to keep a copy of the U.S. Army’s new fitness test so you can try it out and find out if you are as fit as the Army soldiers.

Approved earlier this year, the new Fitness Test and all soldiers, regardless of gender and age will need to take the test by October 2020. This test will which 6 events are as follows:

Strength deadlift: With a proposed weight range of 120 to 420 pounds, the deadlift event is similar to the one found in the Occupational Physical Assessment Test, or OPAT, which is given to new recruits to assess lower-body strength before they are placed into a best-fit career field. The ACFT will require Soldiers to perform a three-repetition maximum deadlift (only one in OPAT) and the weights will be increased. The event replicates picking up ammunition boxes, a wounded battle buddy, supplies or other heavy equipment.

 Standing power throw: Soldiers toss a 10-pound ball backward as far as possible to test muscular explosive power that may be needed to lift themselves or a fellow Soldier up over an obstacle or to move rapidly across uneven terrain. 

Hand-release pushups: In this event, Soldiers start in the prone position and do a traditional pushup, but when at the down position they release their hands and arms from contact with the ground and then reset to do another pushup. This allows for additional upper body muscles to be exercised. 

Sprint/drag/carry: As they dash 25 meters five times up and down a lane, Soldiers will perform sprints, drag a sled weighing 90 pounds, and then hand-carry two 40-pound kettlebell weights. This can simulate pulling a battle buddy out of harm's way, moving quickly to take cover, or carrying ammunition to a fighting position or vehicle. 

Leg tuck: Similar to a pullup, Soldiers lift their legs up and down to touch their knees/thighs to their elbows as many times as they can. This exercise strengthens the core muscles since it doubles the amount of force required compared to a traditional situp. 

2-mile run: Same event as on the current test. In the ACFT, run scores are expected to be a bit slower due to all of the other strenuous activity.

The U.S. United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) finally released the Fitness Training Guide to help the soldiers prepare in passing the Fitness Test. This guide states that these specific exercises will help develop strength, endurance, and mobility using common strength training methods and Army doctrine.

You can download the PDF file below for you to follow as it has been released for civilian reading too. You and airsoft team mates can go over the requirements in order for you to be able to conduct the exercises properly. Good luck in passing the test!

Top photo: A U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command senior leader participates in the strength deadlift at an exhibition of the new Army Combat Fitness Test at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Aug. 1, 2018. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tristan Biese)