“When you get a chance to read the RAND study, it said it’s weak validity when it’s a predictor of core strength,” Grinston said. The Best Warrior recognizes Soldiers who demonstrate commitment to the Army values, embody the Warrior Ethos, and represent the Force of the Future. Genesis Miranda, assigned to 55th Signal Company (Combat Camera), completes the leg tuck event of the Army Combat Fitness test for the Headquarters, Department of the Army Best Warrior Competition on Fort George G.

In turn, soldiers who may have had good core strength and less upper body strength wouldn’t have fared as well on the leg tuck, despite its intent being to measure core strength. When it came down to it, RAND found that the leg tuck, which requires soldiers to pull their legs up to their elbows on a pull-up bar, was not a good indicator of core strength because, in order to complete the exercise, soldiers also needed good grip strength and upper body strength. The test moving forward will include hand-release pushups, a two-mile run - which Grinston said is the most-failed event - the sprint-drag-carry, overhead power throw, and deadlift, and the plank which is permanently replacing the leg tuck. “Considering the pass rates we observed,” the RAND report says, “it appears that many soldiers would be failing if the test were instituted today, including soldiers who are otherwise in good standing in the Army … Regardless of how or whether the Army fully implements the ACFT in April 2022, central our recommendations is the Army’s commitment to continued senior leadership oversight and guidance in monitoring the ACFT’s implementation over the long term.” While the RAND study had a plethora of take-aways, its primary findings were that the Army’s evidence supporting the ACFT was incomplete that some groups - women, and soldiers in the Reserve and National Guard - failed at “noticeably higher rates” during the study period training programs within the Army had a positive impact on soldiers’ fitness but that more work needed to be done and that the Army needed to create a “formal management structure” to help oversee the ACFT and assist senior leaders in making decisions around any future changes. Army Soldier receives a standard AR 600-9 tape test at Fort Bragg, N.C.

Acft leg tuck alternative