India, April 22 -- The Army, in an internal memo, said that it will make changes to its fitness test, including rebranding the test, eliminating its most criticized event, and introducing new performance standards for soldiers. The fitness test will be called the 'Army Fitness Test' (AFT) instead of the former 'Army Combat Fitness Test.' As per the Army's memo, obtained by Military.com, the Army Reserve, National Guard, and all the soldiers across active duty will begin taking the AFT in June.

The service has also removed the Standing Power Throw, in which soldiers had to hurl a 10-pound medicine ball backwards over their heads. This evaluation tests the soldier's technique over strength or endurance. The ongoing Army Combat Fitness Test...