ArmyPath is a free training companion for aspiring Australian Army recruits. It covers PFA fitness tracking, military knowledge study modules, interactive field scenarios, mental resilience tools, and readiness scoring to help you prepare for a career in the Australian Army.
PFA Fitness Standards
The Pre-entry Fitness Assessment (PFA) is the mandatory physical fitness test all Australian Army applicants must pass. It consists of three tests: push-ups, sit-ups (feet held), and the multi-stage fitness test (beep test). Standards differ by role category.
General Entry Combat Roles and Officer Entry
Push-Ups: 15 (male) or 8 (female)
Sit-Ups (feet held): 45
Beep Test: Level 7.5
General Entry Combat Support Roles
Push-Ups: 8 (male) or 4 (female)
Sit-Ups: 20
Beep Test: Level 6.1
Special Forces Entry
Push-Ups: 40
Sit-Ups: 60
Beep Test: Level 10.1
Over-grasp Heaves (Pull-Ups): 6
Source: ADF Careers fitness requirements. Standards verified March 2026. Always verify current requirements at adfcareers.gov.au.
Study Modules
10 comprehensive military knowledge study modules, each with topics and quizzes:
Military Discipline and the DFDA
Rules of Engagement
First Aid
Navigation
Radio Communications
Fieldcraft
Weapons Safety
Military Structure
Army Values
Physical Training and Injury Prevention
Content compiled from publicly available Australian Government sources for educational purposes. Not official Defence training material.
Kapooka Preparation
The Army Recruit Training Centre at Blamey Barracks, Kapooka, near Wagga Wagga, NSW, is where every enlisted soldier begins their career. The 63-day Army Recruit Course (ARC) is divided into three modules:
Module B (Days 22-42): Advanced field skills, weapons handling, live-fire exercises, navigation, first aid.
Module C (Days 43-63): Extended field exercise, patrols, defensive and offensive operations, culmination test.
The course concludes with the March Out Ceremony, a formal parade in front of family and senior Army leadership. After Kapooka, soldiers proceed to Initial Employment Training (IET) at their corps school.
Role Categories
The Australian Army organises soldiers into corps, each representing a distinct trade. Role categories include:
Combat: Royal Australian Infantry Corps (RAInf), Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC)
Combat Support: Royal Australian Artillery (RAA), Royal Australian Engineers (RAE), Royal Australian Corps of Signals (RASigs), Australian Intelligence Corps (AUSTINT), Army Aviation (AAAvn)
Logistics: Transport (RACT), Ordnance (RAAOC), Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME)
Medical: Royal Australian Army Medical Corps (RAAMC)
Scenario Training
Interactive branching scenarios across 7 categories that simulate real military situations. Each scenario presents decision points with multi-dimensional scoring (Tactical Judgement, Leadership, ROE Compliance, Communication, Team Welfare) and detailed feedback.
Field Exercise Scenarios
Ethical Dilemma Scenarios
Leadership Scenarios
Patrol Scenarios
Civilian Interaction Scenarios
Emergency First Aid Scenarios
Team Conflict Scenarios
Mental Resilience Tools
6 evidence-based psychological techniques for managing stress and building resilience:
Tactical Breathing (Box Breathing): 4-second inhale, hold, exhale, hold cycle for acute stress management.
4-7-8 Breathing: Extended exhale technique for calming down after high-stress events.
Body Scan Relaxation: Progressive muscle relaxation for releasing physical tension.
Positive Self-Talk: Pre-prepared mental scripts for maintaining confidence under pressure.
Stress Inoculation: Mental rehearsal of stressful scenarios across three difficulty levels.
Field Sleep Management: Power naps, sleep discipline, and recovery strategies for the field.
Load Carriage Preparation
Load carriage (marching with a weighted pack) is the number one cause of injury and training failure at Kapooka. ArmyPath includes a progressive 12-week program building from 5kg/2km to 15kg/10km, with guidance on boot preparation, technique, and injury prevention.