New York Army National Guard Leaders train to conduct Army's new Combat Fitness Test on Saturday, April 27

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New York Army National Guard Sgt. Daniel London drags a 90-pound sled during an Army Combat Fitness Test grader certification training at Camp Smith, N.Y., Nov. 29, 2018.

LATHAM, NY (04/26/2019) (readMedia)-- New York Army National Guard leaders from across the state will practice the Army's new Army Combat Fitness Test to familiarize commanders and leaders with the Army's newest fitness standards and New York National Guard Headquarters on Saturday morning, April 27.

These standards become effective in 2020.

Battalion and Brigade commanders will walk through the six events which make up the new Army Combat Fitness Test with skilled instructors. Members of the press are invited to observe the training and discuss the new fitness program with New York Army National Guard leaders.

WHO: New York Army National Guard battalion and brigade commanders and senior non-commissioned officers.

WHAT: Familiarization and training for the Army's new Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). The new test is designed to evaluate a Soldiers ability to meet the physical demands of combat,

WHEN: 11:15 a.m., Saturday, April 27

WHERE: New York National Guard Joint Force Headquarters, 330 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham, N.Y.

Media opportunity: Imagery of senior leaders conducting physical fitness, interviews with senior leaders regarding Army National Guard fitness, readiness and wellness.

For access to this secure facility and questions about the training contact Col. Richard Goldenberg, 518-727-7314.

BACKGROUND

The Army's fitness test is an annual requirement for all traditional National Guard Soldiers. The new tests goes from three events in the current Army Physical Fitness Test to six events in the ACFT. The six events are: • Strength Deadlift• Standing Power Throw• Hand-raised Push-ups• 250-meter Sprint, Drag and Carry• Leg Tuck• Two-mile RunThe increased number of events was strategically designed to test areas of physicality that are important in combat scenarios and that were not addressed in the older test. By the end of 2020, the six-event ACFT will replace the current three-event Army Physical Fitness Test first implemented in the 1980s.

The new test is gender- and age-neutral, and includes three minimum standards that are based on unit and military job specialties. Soldiers in units that are physically demanding will have to score higher than those in less physically demanding units in order to pass the new test.

The Army is conducting tests and evaluations of the new fitness test in 2019 with pilot units, including the New York Army National Guard's 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation Regiment, headquartered in Latham, N.Y. Battalion leaders received training and qualifications to administer the new fitness test. While individual events will not change, the pilot tests in 2019 will help the Army determine what scores and categories need to be adjusted and how best to apply the fitness test around the world in every Army component.