“...we don’t want them to feel bad.”
Oh, they still get to do pushups. just tougher ones according to the article.
Along with the other 4 events - plus a two-mile run:
Strength deadlift: Set of 3 reps starting at 120#, weights increase to muscle failure.
Standing power throw: 10# ball backwards overhead, for distance.
Hand-release pushups: Weird description, sounds like a focus on core and balance.
Sprint/drag/carry: Sprints, drag 90# sled, carry a pair of 40# kettle bells (for time?). Would like to see the distance.
Leg tuck: Alternate leg lifts to elbows, while standing.
The pre-1983 Army had a similar function-oriented 5-event test: situp, inverted (crab) crawl, run/dodge/jump, horizontal ladder, 2-mile run (I was there). Scrapped it due to time & equipment requirements (and the females couldn’t hack it). A lot of the horizontal ladders got pretty rickety over the years.
Strength deadlift 120# minimum for three reps, increased weight requirement depending on military occupational specialty.
Standing power throw, 10# ball for a minimum distance depending again on MOS.
Hand release pushups. This does two things, stops the cheaters who can't do a proper pushup to save their ass and you start from a dead stop every rep. It uses mostly chest muscles and not triceps. I did 120 reps of this exercise yesterday. Took awhile to get the hang of it but it kicks ass. I own a rathole gym and I can bench over 330# at age 58 and this exercise is way harder that a standard pushup.
Spring, drag carry, 25 meters down and back 5 times for time. First round open sprint no weight, round 2 90# sled like you evacuate wounded troops on its called a SKED, round 3, side shuffle down and back, round 5, 40 pound weigh in each hand down and back, round 5, sprint down and back.
Leg tuck. Hanging from an overhead bar. One bar, hand over hand like you hold a baseball bat, Imagine hanging facing sideways holding on to one monkey bar, then touch your knees to your elbows, max reps for 3 minutes, not while standing, hanging.
Followed by a 2 mile run.
All in under 50 minutes start to finish.
One thing not mentioned. If you can't pass the test for your military specialty you have two choices, retrain to another specialty or get out.
No waivers for medical issues either if what I saw was correct.
Same standard, man or woman depending on your military job.