The Army requires its soldiers to take the Army Physical Fitness Test at least twice a year. You must also pass this test to graduate from basic training. The test consists of three events: two minutes of pushups, two minutes of sit-ups, and a timed 2-mile run. The pushup requirement to pass the test depends on your age and sex.
The Test
The Army pushup test measures the muscular endurance of your chest, triceps and front shoulder muscles. You complete as many pushups with good form as you can in two minutes. A scorer kneels next to you and counts your repetitions. Men and women perform full pushups; you're not allowed to do pushups from your knees. You must lower yourself until your upper arms are at least parallel to the ground. If you break form or don't go low enough, that repetition won't count.
Pushup Form
Start in the top pushup position with your arms straight and your legs extended behind you. Your feet can be together or up to 12 inches apart. Your body should be a straight line from your shoulders to your ankles. Keep your body rigid and move it as one unit. If you allow your hips to sag or pike, the repetition won't count. You can perform the pushup test with your palms flat on the ground or on your fists.
Male Requirements
To pass basic training, you must score at least a 50 in each event. For your semiannual APFT test, you must score at least a 60. If you are a male, age 17 to 21, you need to complete 35 pushups to graduate basic training and 42 pushups to pass the regular APFT test. If you are a male between 22 and 26, do at least 31 pushups for basic training and 40 pushups thereafter. Men ages 27 to 31 need to do 30 pushups for basic training and 39 pushups thereafter. Males between 32 and 36 years old have to complete 26 pushups for basic training and 36 pushups for the standard APFT test. If you are a male between 37 and 41 years old, you need to do 24 pushups for basic training and 34 pushups thereafter.
Female Requirements
If you are a female between 17 and 21, complete at least 13 pushups for basic training and 19 pushups for the standard APFT. A female between the ages of 22 and 26 has to do 11 pushups for basic training and 17 pushups thereafter. A woman who is between 27 and 31 years old needs to do at least 10 pushups to pass basic training and 17 pushups for the semi-annual APFT. If you are a female between 32 and 36, you need to do nine pushups in basic training and 16 pushups to pass the standard APFT. A woman between the ages of 37 and 41 must do at least six pushups in basic training and 13 pushups thereafter.
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