SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 – As I stated in my initial message to the Force, “Our standards will be high, uncompromising, and clear.” To ensure the lethality and readiness of America’s fighting Force, military leaders at all levels must ensure our Warfighters are prepared to meet the demanding requirements of combat by enforcing standards and leading by example. Our military’s discipline and excellence are what sets it above others across the globe.
My goal is unmistakable: our core fighting formations must not just meet the standard – they must embody it. We need high, uncompromising, sex-neutral standards rooted in combat effectiveness. Every warfighter must be held to the same rigorous expectations.
This directive outlines immediate actions to ensure every warfighter meets the physical and professional demands of combat, for which every Service member must be prepared. These requirements are not optional – they are foundational to our lethality and readiness.
Fitness Testing Requirements
Active Component Service members will execute two fitness tests annually:
- One will be the existing Service Fitness Test.
- The second will be:
- A Combat Field Test for combat arms personnel (see attached list).
- A Combat Readiness Test for non-combat arms personnel or the Service Fitness Test.
- Service members will perform physical fitness training every duty day.
National Guard and Reserve Component members will:
- Take personal responsibility to maintain an appropriate physical fitness regimen, regardless of duty status.
- Complete one fitness test annually, aligned to their combat or non-combat arms designation.
Each Military Department will verify and validate its Combat Field Test within 60 days and submit an execution plan for National Guard and Reserve Component implementation.
Regardless of Component, failure to meet established standards may be used to withhold favorable personnel actions, to include denied promotions, and administrative separation in accordance with standing regulations.
Read the complete announcement here.