Army Contingent practices ACFT

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Story by Lt. Col. David Olson
NATO-Allied Land Command (LANDCOM)

The U.S. Army Contingent assigned to NATO Allied Land Command (LANDCOM) Headquarters practiced the new Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) on Feb. 22, 2019, to gain a better understanding of the events.
Even though the small contingent of approximately 30 U.S. Army soldiers is stationed at a remote location 5,282 miles east of the Pentagon and several countries away from their higher headquarters, they continue to follow U.S. military standards by remaining physically fit.
There are six events in the new ACFT: 3-repetition maximum deadlift, standing power throw, hand-release push-up, sprint-drag-carry, leg tuck and the 2-mile run. A noncommissioned officer explained each event to the soldiers and provided a demonstration except for the 2-mile run. After seeing demonstrations on the five new events, the soldiers formed into five groups, rotated through each station and practiced the new events.
Maj. Patrick VanKirk, the Commander of A Company, Allied Forces South (AFSOUTH) Battalion, U.S. Army NATO Brigade, which supports LANDCOM, explained the training. “Today, the purpose of the training was to educate our soldiers on the conduct of the ACFT, build team cohesion and camaraderie, and to provide motivation,” he said. The soldiers need to understand the proper procedures of the events. Physical readiness, fleet (or equipment) readiness and morale are key elements of being deployable. “Morale is just as important as the other [elements].”
First Sgt. Reginald Smith, the senior enlisted leader for A Co., AFSOUTH Bn., U.S. Army NATO Bde., described the situation clearly to the soldiers. “There are no alternative events,” he said. “If you cannot pass the ACFT, you need to look at another line of work, go through the Medical Evaluation Board Process and get out of the Army.”

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