The Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC) has become one of the most talked-about events in military fitness circles since the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) replaced the old PT test. And honestly? It’s not hard to see why. This event looks like someone combined a track workout with a CrossFit WOD and threw in some battlefield scenarios for good measure.
Let me walk you through everything you need to know about SDC standards, why they matter, and how they’re actually designed to keep soldiers ready for real combat situations.
What Exactly Is the Sprint-Drag-Carry?
The Sprint-Drag-Carry is the fourth event in the six-event ACFT. According to the official Army ACFT documentation, this event measures your ability to perform repeated, high-intensity movements similar to what you’d face in combat situations.
Here’s the breakdown: You complete five 50-meter shuttles, each one different from the last. Sprint down, sprint back. Sprint down, drag a 90-pound sled back. Sprint down, perform a lateral movement back. Sprint down, carry two 40-pound kettlebells back. Then one final all-out sprint down and back.
The whole thing happens on a 25-meter lane, and you’re racing against the clock. The timer starts when you begin that first sprint and doesn’t stop until you cross the finish line after the final sprint.
Understanding the SDC Standards by Age and Gender
The Army updated the ACFT standards in March 2022 to make them age and gender-specific. This was a significant shift from the original “one standard for all” approach that caused considerable controversy.
According to the official ACFT scoring standards, here’s what you need to achieve:
Male Soldiers (Ages 17-21):
- Minimum passing score: 2 minutes 9 seconds
- Maximum score: 1 minute 33 seconds
Male Soldiers (Ages 22-26):
- Minimum passing score: 2 minutes 10 seconds
- Maximum score: 1 minute 35 seconds
Female Soldiers (Ages 17-21):
- Minimum passing score: 2 minutes 42 seconds
- Maximum score: 1 minute 57 seconds
Female Soldiers (Ages 22-26):
- Minimum passing score: 2 minutes 42 seconds
- Maximum score: 1 minute 57 seconds
The standards continue to adjust for older age groups, with times increasing slightly as soldiers age. This makes sense because the test aims to measure combat readiness across an entire career, not just penalize natural aging processes.
Why These Specific Movements Matter
You might wonder why the Army chose this particular combination of movements. It’s not random, I promise.
Research published by the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine shows that combat situations require short bursts of maximum effort followed by quick recovery. Think about it: carrying a wounded buddy to safety, dragging equipment out of danger, or moving quickly between covered positions.
The 90-pound sled drag simulates pulling a casualty or equipment. Those 40-pound kettlebells? They represent carrying ammunition cans or other essential gear. The lateral shuffle mimics moving while maintaining situational awareness and keeping your weapon oriented on a threat.
It’s actually pretty clever when you break it down like that.
Breaking Down Each Phase of the Event
Phase 1: The Initial Sprint You’re fresh, your legs are ready, and this should be your fastest 50 meters of the entire event. This tests your raw speed and anaerobic capacity.
Phase 2: The Sled Drag This is where things get real. You’ll grab the strap attached to a 90-pound sled and drag it backward for 50 meters. Your grip strength, leg drive, and core stability all come into play here. According to Army trainers, this is often where soldiers lose the most time if they haven’t trained specifically for it.
Phase 3: The Lateral Shuffle You’ll perform a lateral movement for 50 meters, touching the ground at the turn-around point. This challenges your agility, balance, and the muscles you don’t typically use in forward running.
Phase 4: The Kettlebell Carry Grab two 40-pound kettlebells and run 50 meters. Your grip is probably already fatigued from the sled drag, and now you’re asking it to hold on for another 50 meters. This simulates carrying heavy equipment or ammunition under pressure.
Phase 5: The Final Sprint By now, your legs feel like concrete, your lungs are burning, and you’ve got one more all-out 50-meter sprint. This tests your ability to maintain intensity when you’re already exhausted.
Common Mistakes That Tank Your Time
After reviewing guidance from Army Master Fitness Trainers, several mistakes consistently slow soldiers down:
Pacing the early sprints. I get it—you want to conserve energy. But the Sprint-Drag-Carry rewards going hard early when you’re fresh. Those first two sprints should feel uncomfortable.
Poor sled drag technique. Many soldiers try to stay too upright or take tiny steps. The most efficient method involves getting low, leaning back, and taking powerful strides.
Fumbling the equipment transitions. Every second you spend figuring out how to grab the kettlebells or position yourself for the sled drag is a second added to your time.
Giving up on the final sprint. Your body will lie to you and say it’s got nothing left. Push through it. The difference between a passing and failing score often comes down to that last sprint.
Training for Success
The good news? The Sprint-Drag-Carry is highly trainable. You don’t need to be a genetic freak to hit good scores.
Research from the National Strength and Conditioning Association suggests that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) combined with specific movement pattern practice delivers the best results.
Here’s what works:
Practice the actual event. Nothing prepares you for the SDC like doing the SDC. Try to run the full event at least once every two weeks during your training cycle.
Build your anaerobic capacity. Sprint intervals, hill repeats, and other high-intensity work will improve your ability to maintain speed while fatigued.
Strengthen your posterior chain. Your hamstrings, glutes, and lower back do the heavy lifting during the sled drag and kettlebell carry. Deadlifts, Romanian deadlifts, and kettlebell swings are your friends.
Don’t neglect grip strength. Farmer’s walks, dead hangs, and plate pinches will ensure your hands don’t give out before your legs do.
How SDC Standards Compare to Other Military Tests
The Sprint-Drag-Carry stands out among military fitness tests worldwide. The British Army’s Multi-Stage Fitness Test and the Marine Corps’ Combat Fitness Test both include movement-based events, but nothing quite matches the SDC’s combination of power, speed, and muscular endurance in a single event.
What makes the ACFT’s approach interesting is its specificity to combat tasks. According to a RAND Corporation study on military fitness testing, tests that closely mimic combat movements better predict job performance than traditional exercises like push-ups or sit-ups.
The Bottom Line on SDC Standards
The Sprint-Drag-Carry isn’t just another fitness test to check a box. It’s designed to ensure soldiers can perform when it matters most—in combat situations that demand everything you’ve got.
Are the standards perfect? Probably not. The Army continues to collect data and may adjust them over time. But they represent a significant improvement over the old test that measured fitness without considering how that fitness translates to actual battlefield requirements.
Whether you’re a soldier preparing for your next ACFT or just someone interested in challenging fitness standards, the SDC offers a brutal but fair assessment of functional combat fitness. Train smart, practice the movements, and remember that your time on this event could literally measure your ability to save lives when it counts.
Now get out there and make that sled your personal enemy. You’ve got this.
Asad Ullah is a fitness and military-focused content creator who writes practical, easy-to-understand guides on combat fitness, army standards, and health tools. He helps readers stay informed, motivated, and test-ready through clear and reliable content.