95th Training Division Soldiers embrace new ACFT at Fort Sill

FORT SILL, Okla. — Soldiers from the Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 95th Training Division embraced the new Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma by conducting back to back diagnostic testing during the July and August battle assembly weekends.

When the US Army began implementing the ACFT for all active duty, reserve and national guard Soldiers, it was unclear how U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 95th Training Division would embrace it. The new ACFT changes the way Army physical fitness is measured. Compared to the old Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), the ACFT challenges Soldiers to perform fitness exercises related to actual tasks Soldiers would perform in combat.

Soldiers eagerly awaited the instructions and demonstrations on how to perform the new diagnostic ACFT. Once Soldiers began the new diagnostic ACFT, you could see the curiosity among the participants during each event.

“Combat related tasks are every Soldiers job in the Army,” said Sgt. Joline Tran, public affairs noncommissioned officer for the 95th Training Division, “the ACFT is able to measure your ability to perform those physical tasks in combat”.

Performing along side Soldiers during the July diagnostic ACFT was incoming Command Sgt. Maj. Kyle Edwards. Having the incoming

command sergeant major (CSM) performing the diagnostic ACFT in July and then overseeing the ACFT as the new division CSM in August was impressionable for Soldiers. It appears Soldiers of the 95th Training Division under the guidance of the division CSM will continue to strengthen their skills during the ACFT implementation.