The New Ranger Fitness Test: A Modern Twist on an Old Torture Routine

The day is blazing hot, and you’re already a bit tired from the five-mile run you just finished. Still, you know a timed evolution for push-ups is headed your way in a few seconds, and you do your best to psych yourself up. You drop in the dirt to the front leaning rest position (for the uninitiated, that is face down on the ground with your hands shoulder-width apart and your body aligned in a straight line from head to heels).

You wait for the command. “Begin!” the instructor barks, and you push yourself away from the center of the earth, fully extending your arms. Next, you lower your entire body, moving as a single unit, toward the ground until your chest barely touches the dirt. “One!” shouts the instructor as you do it all over again. Then comes the moment every soldier dreads. “One!” the instructor sounds off after your second pushup, and your third, and your fourth.  One!, One!, One!, One!…and so it goes. This is what happens to those who don’t use perfect form. Welcome to Ranger School.

Ladies and gentlemen gather ’round as we break down the latest masochistic endeavor from our beloved Army: the revamped Ranger Physical Fitness Test (RPFT). Because, apparently, the old-school beatdown wasn’t quite cutting it anymore. Let’s break down this new gauntlet, compare it to the “good ol’ days,” and explore the rationale behind fixing something that wasn’t broken (in my humble opinion).

Out with the Old: The Classic RPFT

Once upon a time, aspiring Rangers faced a straightforward, albeit grueling, set of challenges:

• Push-Ups: 49 reps in 2 minutes.​
• Sit-Ups: 59 reps in 2 minutes.​
• Chin-Ups: 6 reps from a dead hang.​
• 5-Mile Run: Completed in 40 minutes or less.​

This regimen was designed to test muscular endurance and cardiovascular fitness, ensuring candidates had the physical chops to endure the rigors of Ranger School. ​They should give you some kind of test to see how well you handle food deprivation but don’t worry, that’s coming later. 

In with the New: The 2025 RPFT Overhaul

Fast forward to April 21, 2025, and behold the Army‘s latest creation: a nine-event monstrosity that seems inspired by a sadistic personal trainer’s fever dream. The new RPFT includes:

800-Meter Run: In full combat uniform and boots because comfort is for the weak.​

30 Dead-Stop Push-Ups: No momentum, just pure muscle agony. You must lift your hands off the ground after each repetition. This is the devil’s push-up. 

100-Meter Sprint: Again, in combat uniform—because why not?​

16 Sandbag Lifts: Hoist a 40-pound sandbag onto a 68-inch platform. Repeatedly.​

50-Meter Farmer’s Carry: Lugging two 40-pound water cans, channeling your inner pack mule.​

25-Meter High Crawl: Embrace the mud and the glory.​

25-Meter Three-to-Five Second Rushes: Sprint, drop, repeat—reminiscent of evading imaginary sniper fire.​

Another 800-Meter Run: Because one wasn’t enough.​

Four-Mile Run: Change into your PT uniform and knock it out within 32 minutes.​

Six Chin-Ups: Just when you thought it was over.​ From the hanging position with your arms completely extended, of course. 

All of this is to be completed in a seamless, continuous sequence designed to push candidates to their physical and mental limits. ​

Why the Change? The Method Behind the Madness

The Army’s top brass, in their infinite wisdom, decided that the traditional RPFT wasn’t adequately preparing soldiers for the “functional fitness” demands of modern combat. Brigadier General Phil Kiniery, commandant of the Army Infantry School, stated that the new assessment is “better aligned with the Army’s focus on training functional fitness and is tailored to help our cadre better assess student potential to successfully complete the Ranger Course safely.” ​

In layman’s terms, the old test measured if you could run and do calisthenics; the new test assesses if you can haul heavy stuff, sprint in gear, and endure tasks that mimic actual battlefield scenarios.​ Because, God knows, you’ll probably have to knock out at least a few good chin-ups in a combat zone. 

The Bigger Picture: Evolution of Military Fitness Standards

This overhaul isn’t happening in isolation. It’s part of a broader trend across the military to shift from traditional fitness tests to more combat-relevant assessments. The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), for instance, was introduced to better prepare soldiers for the physical demands of warfare, emphasizing strength, agility, and endurance over mere aerobic capacity. ​It’s actually a pretty good idea. 

Similarly, the Marine Corps revamped its Combat Fitness Test to include functional movements like ammo can lifts and maneuver-under-fire drills, reflecting real-world combat tasks. ​

The Bottom Line

So, dear aspiring Rangers, if you thought the path to that coveted tab was tough before, brace yourselves. The Army has upped the ante, ensuring that only the most functionally fit, mentally resilient, and perhaps slightly masochistic individuals earn the honor. Remember, it’s not just about passing a test; it’s about proving you can handle whatever hellish scenario Uncle Sam might throw your way.

Good luck, and may your sandbags be ever light.

-RLTW