More than 80 combat arms jobs require a fitness test in codified policy

Primary Journalistic Dispatch & Direct Reporting

Army and Alaska Army National Guard infantry sergeants gear up before conducting a field training test during the Infantry Advanced Leader Course at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 21, 2026. (Alejandro Pena/U.S. Army)

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon designated more than 80 military occupations as combat arms and requires a combat field test be completed in addition to their standard service fitness test, according to updated regulations .

The new regulations lay out testing timelines for when each service must submit a report on its fitness and body composition program, as well as guidelines for pregnancy and postpartum fitness.

In-Depth Developments & Factual Context

Under the policy, troops in combat arms occupations must complete a combat field test using standards set by their individual service branch, achieving a 70 percent average across all elements. The tests also must be conducted "in any environment, at any time, with combat equipment," according to the Defense Department instruction released on Aug. 31.

Roles that fall in the combat arms category include soldiers in infantry and Army Special Forces, Navy SEALs, Marine Raiders, Air Force pararescue and dozens of other occupations.

In March 2025, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the secretaries of the military services to come up with a plan that distinguishes between combat-arms jobs versus noncombat-arms jobs and develops physical standards that are "sex-neutral."

Industry Impact & Strategic Analysis

The updated policy comes nearly a year after Hegseth gave a sweeping address to top military leaders in Quantico, Va., in which he outlined major military overhauls. Some of the initiatives, also spelled out in a written message delivered to commands, included adding combat field tests for combat arms units, emphasizing "male-level" standards for fitness and subjecting every member of the joint force - including four-star generals - to a fitness test twice a year, as well as meeting height and weight requirements.

"Frankly, it's tiring to look out at combat formations, or really any formation, and see fat troops. Likewise, it's completely unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon," Hegseth said.

According to the 22-page policy, each service must submit a report by June 1 each year on its fitness and body composition programs to the Pentagon. The first report is due June 1, 2027. The report must include data that enables officials to analyze results based on sex, age, race, ethnicity, rank and military specialty. The services are also required to keep electronic records of troops' test results throughout their careers.

Forward Outlook & Market Perspective

Additionally, the services must provide the Pentagon with the scientific basis used to create fitness and combat tests, along with body composition standards.

Many of the changes outlined have been undertaken by the services.

Since Hegseth's speech last year, the Army, Navy and Air Force have instituted two fitness tests for service members.

Each of the services has shifted away from height-and-weight tables and replaced them with a waist-to-height ratio methodology.

The Marines' waist-to-height standard for body composition shall be less than or equal to 0.52, slimmer than the Pentagon's requirement of 0.55. The ratio is determined by dividing waist measurement by height.

Matthew Adams covers the Defense Department at the Pentagon. His past reporting experience includes covering politics for The Dallas Morning News, Houston Chronicle and The News and Observer. He is based in Washington, D.C.

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