The U.S. Army ROTC, or Reserve Officers' Training Corps, offers members opportunities to study military science and develop leadership skills. ROTC is open to eligible high school students, college students and enlisted soldiers. ROTC graduates are commissioned into the Active Army as Second Lieutenants. Army ROTC fitness requirements include passing the three-part Army Physical Fitness Test and meeting height and weight requirements.
Army Physical Fitness Test
The Army Physical Fitness Test, or APFT, uses the U.S. Army fitness standards, which are based on gender and age. The APFT consists of three parts. Candidates must perform as many push-ups as possible in two minutes, after which they rest for two minutes. After the rest period, candidates perform as many sit-ups as the can in two minutes, followed by a ten-minute rest. The final test segment requires candidates to run two miles as fast as they can. Candidates must score at least 60 points in each segment of the test for a total score of at least 180 points.
Push-ups and Sit-ups
The APFT requires candidates to perform two minutes of push-ups. Army fitness standards require males aged 17 to 21 to perform at least 42 push-ups and males aged 22 to 26 to perform at least 40 push-ups. Females aged 17 to 21 must perform a minimum of 19 push-ups and females aged 22 to 26 must complete at least 17 push-ups. The second part of the APFT requires two minutes of sit-ups. Males and females aged 17 to 21 must perform at least 53, and males and females aged 22 to 26 must perform at least 50 sit-ups.
Two-mile Run
The two-mile run is the final segment of the APFT. Candidates are allowed two minutes to complete as much of the two-mile run as possible. Males in the 17 to 21 age group have a minimum goal of 15:54, and those in the 22 to 26 age group have a minimum goal of 16:36. Females aged 17 to 21 must complete the run in at least 18:54, and those in the 22 to 26 age group must complete the run in at least 19:36.
Height and Weight
The U.S. Army uses a height and weight table that lists standards based on gender and age. The chart also lists, by gender and age, allowances for body fat percentage for a candidate's height and weight group. These requirements are stringently enforced. Candidates weighing in at the maximum weights may not be rejected from entry into the Army ROTC, but failure to meet and maintain height and weight requirements during ROTC participation can result in loss of the scholarship and rejection for active duty service.
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