Soldiers Conduct Camp Humphreys’ First Combat Fitness Test

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea - Soldiers assigned to Eighth Army conducted the installation's first official Combat Fitness Test (CFT) at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, Sept. 23, 2026, marking a key milestone since the assessment's service-wide rollout earlier this year. The primary objective of the testing was to evaluate a Soldier's physical stamina, reinforce functional movement under combat conditions, and build collective force readiness to ensure troops remain prepared to "Fight Tonight."

The CFT consists of seven events to be completed in 30 minutes or less. Participants must conduct a 1-mile run in full Army Combat Uniform, followed by 30 dead-stop push-ups, a 100-meter sprint, 16 forty-pound sandbag lifts onto a 65-inch platform, a 50-meter carry of two 40-pound water cans, a 50-meter movement drill featuring high crawls and 3-to-5-second rushes, and a final 1-mile run.

"I think big Army needs to set the standard, keep the standard, and then whoever wants to be combat, you have to assimilate," said Sgt. 1st Class Dakota Montgomery, a joint fire support specialist with Eighth Army G3 Fire Support Element. "You have to come in here being prepared to be a Soldier."

That standard moves away from traditional gym exercises and shifts directly to functional combat movements executed under fatigue. Rather than testing general fitness in athletic wear, the assessment demands that Soldiers prove their baseline capabilities in the same gear and boots they wear downrange.

The CFT is required annually for active-duty Soldiers serving in 24 designated combat military occupational specialties, establishing a single, mission-based standard aligned to the demands of combat to ensure readiness and lethality. All Soldiers in designated combat roles must meet the same passing criteria, regardless of age or gender.

For Capt. Beiling Liu, commander of Theater Gateway Company, taking the CFT was not a requirement, but rather an assessment to gauge where she stood physically before competing for the Expert Soldier Badge. Motivated by that goal, she volunteered for the installation's first official iteration.

"I'm encouraging everybody, whether you are combat arms or non-combat arms, go out there and try," Capt. Liu said. "I feel like it's a good testament to your physical fitness."

Participants and graders alike were tested physically and mentally, establishing a baseline standard for future units as Camp Humphreys launched its inaugural Combat Fitness Test. As more units across Camp Humphreys schedule upcoming testing rotations, leaders are using the initial results to transition daily physical conditioning toward functional, load-bearing movements that directly match the CFT's uncompromising physical demands.

"A lot of times, Soldiers have self-doubt, but you've just got to go out there and do it," Capt. Liu said. "It might feel overwhelming and daunting, but if you actually go out there and try, it's not too bad."

Establishing the installation's first official baseline at Camp Humphreys demonstrates Eighth Army's proactive commitment to force lethality and combat readiness. In an operational theater where preparation is tested daily, proving Soldiers can perform under battlefield conditions ensures Eighth Army remains fully prepared to "Fight Tonight."