OPAT: Army Rolls Out New Fitness Test For Recruits & MOS Transfers

Yesterday, the U.S. Army began administering its Occupational Physical Assessment Test, or OPAT, for new recruits before shipping out to basic training and soldiers who are transitioning into a different MOS (Military Occupational Specialty).

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Here’s what the Army had to say about the test, via DVIDS (Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System):

When young men and women ship to basic combat training, the Army wants to ensure they have the best chances of success without injury. The OPAT is designed to reduce injury and keep our Soldiers healthy during training. The OPAT will help ensure Soldiers are placed in the right Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), while measuring each recruit’s physical aptitude against validated physical demands and tasks required in each MOS.

The OPAT measures muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, explosive power and speed. It consists of four individual challenges: the standing long jump, the seated power throw, the strength deadlift, and the interval aerobic run.

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The test is primarily designed for new recruits, but soldiers who are moving into a MOS that is classified as more physically demanding will also have to take the OPAT.

All told, about 80,000 recruits and thousands of cadets will undergo the test annually, the Army says.