Setting Higher Close Combat Standards for the Army Combat Fitness Test Evidence and Recommendations / SEAN ROBSON, DANIEL HICKS, ELIZABETH CHASE, AMY NABEL, CARRA S. SIMS, MAX STEINER.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Robson, Sean

Contributor:

Hicks, Daniel

Chase, Elizabeth, 1767-1840.

Nabel, Amy

Sims, Carra S.

Steiner, Max

Arroyo Center

Rand Corporation

United States. Army

Series:

Research report (Rand Corporation) ; A3092-1

Report ; A3092-1

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

United States. Army--Physical training.

United States.

Physical fitness--Standards--United States.

Physical fitness.

Physical fitness--United States--Testing.

Gender Integration in the Military.

Military Career Field Management.

Physical Exercise.

United States Army.

Local Subjects:

Gender Integration in the Military.

Military Career Field Management.

Physical Exercise.

United States Army.

Physical Description:

xii, 88 pages : illustrations ; 28 cm

Place of Publication:

Santa Monica, CA : RAND, 2024

Summary:

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 calls for higher minimum fitness standards for soldiers in close combat military occupational specialties (MOSs). This report details options for increasing Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) standards for such soldiers. After reviewing the evidence for setting higher fitness standards, the RAND team identified eight options for the Army to pilot in a "Practice Phase" among a sample of soldiers in close combat MOSs. The Army chose to pilot an increase in the total ACFT point standard to 450 points overall, along with a requirement of 150 pounds on the 3 Repetition Maximum Deadlift (MDL). Evidence from the Practice Phase suggests trade-offs across alternative standards and that the Practice Phase standard may be too high to achieve the Army's desired pass rates for various subgroups in the short term, particularly Guard and Reserve soldiers. Soldiers' performance improves with experience, so the pass rates observed in the Practice Phase may understate the extent to which soldiers will continue to improve toward new standards. Several options for higher fitness standards satisfy important decision criteria and are reasonable courses of action for the Army. Options that raise the overall points requirement may be simplest to implement while promoting fitness among all close combat soldiers.

Contents:

CHAPTER 1: Introduction

CHAPTER 2: Initial Evidence for Higher ACFT Standards

CHAPTER 3: Practice Phase Design and Results

CHAPTER 4: Perspectives on Higher ACFT Standards for Close Combat MOSs

CHAPTER 5: Conclusions and Courses of Action

APPENDIX A: Additional Background on Sources of ACFT Evidence

APPENDIX B: Additional Details on Methodology

APPENDIX C: Additional Details on Workshop Methodology and Results

APPENDIX D: Pass Rates by Subgroups for Each Alternative Standard

Notes:

Title from PDF document (title page; viewed December 16, 2024)

"Prepared for the United States Army"

"RAND ARROYO CENTER"

Includes bibliographical references (pages 87-88)

Description from electronic resource

ISBN:

1977414435

9781977414434

OCLC:

1481948860