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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.
