The Army is to scrap fitness tests that make allowances based on gender and age and will introduce new “gender and age-neutral” physical assessments, the Ministry of Defence has said.
The new tests, which will be rolled out next year, aim to ensure all close combat soldiers are physically prepared for the rigours of modern battle.
Field Army Sergeant Major Gavin Paton said: “I don’t care if you are a man or a woman, I don’t care what you do, and the enemy doesn’t either.”
Speaking at the Army base in Aldershot on Friday, Lance Corporal Nicola Cotton of the Scots Guards said the move was “really positive”.
“People underestimate females in the British Army. I think it is about time we upped the ante and make it equal and not make allowances for gender or age,” she added.
Soldiers will then have to complete a fire and move exercise in less than five minutes, followed by a 20m drag of a 110kg weight.
They will then have to carry two water cans weighing 22kg each over 240m in under four minutes, followed by lifting a 70kg weight and holding it for three seconds.
The Army has been demonstrating its new In-Service Physical Employment Standards for all ground close combat roles: https://t.co/b3K6xoXB3I
The new physical #fitness standards will come into effect from 2019. pic.twitter.com/OZEJ0vXmhj
— British Army (@BritishArmy) September 21, 2018
Finally soldiers will have to carry bags weighing 20kg 20 times over a distance of 30m.
Under the old system, which hasn’t been updated for 20 years, soldiers completed tasks including push-ups and sit-ups.
Lieutenant Colonel Anne Fieldhouse, from the Royal Army Military Corps, said the new tests need to “fit with the modern approach” to sports science.
Sgt Maj Paton said he could not comment on whether the new tests would impact on the recruitment of women and older people into the Army, but anybody who meets the physical requirements is “more than welcome”.
Similar changes to Army entry testing are set to be announced in December.
