When Did the AFT Start Counting for Promotion Points? 2026 Timeline
Information checked October 5, 2026.
AFT scores began counting for promotion actions on October 1, 2025, under the General standard, and January 1, 2026, under the Combat standard, according to the Army’s published semi-centralized promotion timeline. If you’ve also seen June 2025 or June 2026, those dates describe other parts of the rollout. Here’s how the dates fit together and what to check before relying on your score.
When Did AFT Scores Start Counting for Promotion Points?
The Army’s published dates were October 1, 2025, for General-standard promotion actions, followed by January 1, 2026, for Combat-standard promotion actions.
The official AFT promotion FAQs also require the corresponding record scores to be entered in the Digital Training Management System (DTMS) from those dates.
Here’s the promotion part of the timeline:
| Published date | Promotion change |
|---|---|
| October 1, 2025 | AFT General scores used for promotion actions; record scores required in DTMS |
| January 1, 2026 | AFT Combat scores used for promotion actions; record scores required in DTMS |
These answers sit within the Army’s semi-centralized promotion guidance.
If you’re using a National Guard state Enlisted Promotion System (EPS), or another Reserve promotion process, you will need to check its applicable instructions with S1 as well.
By October 2026, both published dates are in the past.
Your own result still needs to appear correctly in the records used for your promotion process.
Why Do June 2025 and June 2026 Appear in the AFT Timeline?
June 1, 2025, was the date the AFT replaced the ACFT as the Army’s official fitness test of record.
It describes when the test changed, while October 2025 and January 2026 describe the published promotion changes.
For instance, if you took an AFT in July 2025, the test was already in use, but you would still need the promotion timeline to understand when its points could apply.
The second June date has another purpose.
June 1, 2026, was the Combat-standard implementation date for the remaining Reserve Component groups, following the earlier implementation for the Regular Army and designated full-time groups. The Army’s AFT implementation guidance separates these stages.
So when you see a June date in an older announcement, you can look at what changed on that date before applying it to your own promotion record.
Can an Old ACFT Score Still Count in October 2026?
The published semi-centralized ACFT transition ended on September 30, 2025.
The Army’s AFT FAQs allowed qualifying older ACFT scores to remain valid for promotion consideration until that date.
If you’re checking your points in October 2026 and still see a six-event ACFT result, you have a specific record question to take to S1.
The test that was actually administered and recorded matters.
For example, subtracting your old standing power throw points might produce a five-event total on paper. An official record AFT still needs to be verified separately.
For Guard Soldiers, the state EPS transition instructions are the ones to discuss with S1 alongside this published Army timeline.
Why Aren't My New AFT Promotion Points Showing?
A missing update needs a record check.
You can compare the scorecard, the DTMS entry, and the fitness category in your promotion record to see where the difference starts before assuming that you have lost points.
DTMS is the Army’s training record system. IPPS-A is the Integrated Personnel and Pay System, Army, where your HR staff can review promotion information.
If you only have raw times, repetitions, and a deadlift weight, the AFT score calculator can help you check the total before comparing it with the recorded score.
For a practical check, bring these details to S1:
- The date you took the test and a copy of its scorecard.
- Whether it was administered as a record AFT.
- The date and score shown in DTMS.
- The AFT points currently shown in your promotion record.
For example, suppose your scorecard shows a newer passing result while your promotion record still reflects an older test. Comparing both with the DTMS entry gives S1 something specific to investigate.
That comparison is worth doing before you schedule another test.
Army IPPS-A promotion guidance directs leaders to review promotion roster processes when AFT data changes. Ask S1 to compare your recorded test, DTMS entry and promotion record if the points do not match.
Which Monthly Promotion Cycle Will Use My New Score?
The date your supporting data is entered can affect the promotion cycle that uses your points.
Your test date and entry date may be different.
The promotion month may depend on when the record reaches the applicable system and roster. Ask S1 which entry deadline and promotion cycle apply to your case; do not assume the test date and record-update date are the same.
If you’re planning around an upcoming cycle, you can ask S1 to confirm the applicable deadline, the date your change was entered, and which cycle will use it.
For instance, when you compare a new score with a cutoff, you’ll want to know whether that score was available for the cycle you are looking at.
Also, an AFT point increase only changes one part of your promotion record. Whether you’re selected depends on the rest of your eligibility and the applicable promotion process.
Check Your AFT Points Before Planning Your Next Test
Once you know which record score is being used, you can check its promotion-point value with the AFT promotion points calculator.
This is useful if you’re choosing a training target or trying to understand the fitness contribution shown in your promotion record.
You can keep the result alongside your actual scorecard so you are comparing the same test when speaking with S1.
If the records agree, you have a clearer starting point for planning your next improvement. If they differ, sorting out the entry and its applicable promotion cycle should come first. You’ll then know whether the issue is your fitness score, the recorded information, or when the update can be used.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Maximum Number of AFT Promotion Points?
The maximum AFT contribution is 120 promotion points in the Army’s semi-centralized promotion guidance.
Your complete promotion total includes other categories as well.
Can the Combat Field Test Replace My AFT Score?
No. Army Directive 2026-07 establishes the Combat Field Test (CFT) as a pass/fail test with no points and says it is not a substitute for the AFT.
Your AFT score remains a separate result.
Can a Reserve Component Combat Soldier Take Another AFT for Promotion Within Eight Months?
Yes, for the group specified in Army Directive 2026-07: Reserve Component combat-specialty Soldiers who are not AGR and are not on active-duty orders for 365 days or more may take an additional record AFT within eight months of a previous CFT or AFT for promotion or schooling.
If that describes your situation, you can discuss the additional record test with your unit.