Army's New Fitness Test Redefines Readiness 🏋️‍♂️

Is the Army Fit to Fight? A New Fitness Test will decide.

The Army has always measured readiness through physical fitness. But what defines readiness today and how do we ensure every soldier meets that standard? In this episode of The Jedburgh Podcast, host Fran Racioppi sits down from the Pentagon’s U.S. Army Broadcasting Studio with Sergeant Major Chris Mullinax, the developer of the Army Fitness Test, and receives a special appearance from Sergeant Major of the Army Mike Weimer.

SGM Mullinax explains why the new Army Fitness Test replaces the ACFT and APFT, how it prioritizes combat effectiveness, and why physical fitness must reflect the mission ahead. He breaks down why combat MOSs require sex-neutral standards, how the new grading system is designed, and what it will take to ensure the U.S. Army remains the most capable fighting force in the world.

They also discuss leadership in the 75th Ranger Regiment, the life-changing impact of Ranger School, and why physical fitness in leadership drives motivation across the ranks. SMA Weimer joins to provide insight into the Army’s new Blue Book and why readiness still starts with PT.

We Cover:
-Why the Army redefined its physical standards
-The structure and evaluation of the new Army Fitness Test
-Gender-neutral expectations in combat MOSs
-The Ranger mindset and leadership lessons from the field
-Why readiness, not minimums, should be the standard

About the Guests:
Sergeant Major Chris Mullinax is the Senior Enlisted Leader of U.S. Army Operations, Plans, and Training. He developed the Army Fitness Test and has served in all three Ranger Battalions, including as CSM of the 1st Infantry Division. Sergeant Major of the Army Mike Weimer is the 17th SMA and shares Army-wide perspectives on culture, standards, and leadership.

Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome to the Pentagon
01:47 Why change the PT test?
04:02 SMA Weimer drops in
04:51 Distributing the Blue Book
05:58 Upholding Army standards
10:48 Implementing a Warfighting Culture
15:26 AFT now five exercises
20:12 Combat vs Supporting MOSs
21:57 AFT Evaluation Metrics
23:26 Gender-neutral standard in Combat MOSs
24:48 Fitness is America’s Advantage
28:12 Ranger Regiment Standards
31:48 Leadership Through Ranger School
35:13 Is the Army Ready?
36:30 Preparing the Army for combat
39:04 Culture of Will
41:20 Daily Habits

Quotes:
"Changing the PT test is not a new idea. We’re always assessing our physical standards."
"I don’t like to start from the minimum standard. That to me is not a place you start any conversation, especially warfighters."
"You should be trying to exceed any standard."
"We exist to fight and win. We are not a jobs program."
"Our ability to fight and win our wars relies heavily on our fitness."
"The most important part about Ranger School is you learn a lot about yourself."
"PT might not be the most important thing we do today, but it's the most important thing we do every day."

Watch the full episode now and subscribe so you never miss a conversation with the nation’s top leaders and warriors.

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The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.

The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health and Performance, developing the next generation of fitness entrepreneurs from our Veterans.

Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Follow us on social media and watch the full video versions on YouTube.

The opinions presented on The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of our guests and creator and host Fran Racioppi. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation, and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy; nor does Green Beret Foundation endorse any political candidate or any political party.

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