MARCH 6, 2020 - The U.S. military cannot do its job without the capabilities inherent in the National Guard, Air Force Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel told the Senate appropriations defense subcommittee Wednesday. Lengyel, the chief of the National Guard Bureau and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the panel the National Guard is not just a reserve, but an integral part of … [Read more...]
Archives for March 2020
Policy Changes Underway for International Military Students After Pensacola Shooting
MARCH 5, 2020 - Late last year, a Saudi Arabian service member training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, opened fire in a classroom, killing three U.S. service members and wounding eight. The Justice Department determined the attack to be terrorism. Now, new policies are being put in place to mitigate the likelihood of a repeat attack, Garry Reid, director for … [Read more...]
Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT)
NOTE: The U.S. Army officially adopted the Army Fitness Test (AFT) as the new test of record for Soldiers starting June 1, 2025. The Army Combat Fitness Test consists of six events: 3 Repetition Maximum Deadlift (MDL) Standing Power Throw (SPT) Hand-Release Push-Up (HRP) Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC) Leg Tuck (LTK) 2-Mile Run (2MR) The ACFT replaced the APFT … [Read more...]
Army Now Accepting Applications for Next Astronaut
March 5, 2020 - If you're looking to upgrade your combat uniform to a spacesuit, here's your chance. The Army is currently searching for candidates to be its next astronaut. And whether enlisted, warrant officer or a regular officer, any Soldier who is qualified can apply. In the previous astronaut class, the service considered about 200 Soldiers who applied for the NASA … [Read more...]
OPAT Grading Standards
UPDATED OCTOBER 2021 - The Occupational Physical Assessment Test (OPAT) is a battery of four events used to assess a recruit’s capabilities to engage in physically demanding Army training. As an assessment, the OPAT measures physical capacity in the three major areas of physical readiness: upper- and lower-body power, lower-body strength, and aerobic endurance. Individuals … [Read more...]