StandardsUSAF Pararescue (PJ)
USAF Pararescue IFT (formerly the PAST)
Initial Fitness Test (formerly the Physical Ability and Stamina Test, PAST) for USAF Pararescue candidate selection — one standard for every candidate, no sex or age columns. Heavy aquatic component plus standard PT events, in one sitting.
US · Military · Source: USAF IFT worksheet, 10 Jan 2023 (AETC/A3LS), PJ / CCT / TACP / SR column. Upper tiers: TPF's own.
The events, and what each tier means.
Pass is the minimum from the published source named above. Good, Excellent and Elite are the steps TPF scores above it: some come from the published test, such as its maximum score, and the note under the figure or the source says so; the rest are TPF’s own targets.
| Event | Pass | Good | Excellent | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500-metre swim (freestyle, breaststroke or sidestroke)min:sec · lower is better | 12:30IFT minimum, PJ column (10 Jan 2023 worksheet); civilians enlist on the 9T5 column, 15:00 | 11:00 | 10:00 | 9:30 |
| 25 m underwater swim (no breath)pass=1 · higher is better | 1 pass=1IFT: two 25 m underwater swims, go / no-go | — | — | — |
| 1.5-mile runmin:sec · lower is better | 10:20IFT minimum (10 Jan 2023 worksheet) | 9:30 | 9:00 | 8:15 |
| Pull-ups (2 min)reps · higher is better | 8 repsIFT minimum (2 min; 1 min is the officers' rule) | 12 reps | 18 reps | 25 reps |
| Sit-ups (2 min)reps · higher is better | 50 repsIFT minimum (10 Jan 2023 worksheet) | 70 reps | 90 reps | 100 reps |
| Push-ups (2 min)reps · higher is better | 40 repsIFT minimum (10 Jan 2023 worksheet) | 70 reps | 85 reps | 100 reps |
How TPF Operator trains you for it.
- Track it, event by event.Log each result in the app’s Tests screen and it is placed on this ladder — pass, good, excellent, elite — with the trend over time.
- Plan the whole week against it.Lifts, runs and rucks on one recovery budget, so the running doesn’t take back the strength an event needs, and a hard ruck isn’t scheduled the day before a timed run.
- Know where you stand before test day. The Operator Readiness Score weighs your current numbers against the standard you picked, so you know which event is the weak one with weeks to fix it.
This test belongs to the service that sets it. TPF is not affiliated with or endorsed by it, and its rules and pass marks can change: check the current requirements with the organisation before you test.