The Sprint / Drag / Carry (SDC) is the fourth event in the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). It’s a high-intensity challenge designed to assess anaerobic capacity, muscular endurance, grip strength, and agility all vital components of combat readiness in fast-paced, real-world situations.
Purpose of the SDC Event
The SDC simulates combat scenarios that involve sudden movement, equipment transport, and casualty evacuation. Whether creating a hasty fighting position, moving between cover points, or dragging a fellow soldier to safety, this event reflects the energy exchange, speed, and grit needed on the battlefield.
Event Layout & Movements
The SDC consists of five 25-meter shuttles each testing a unique fitness component. The entire course is 250 meters total.
- Sprint (25m down and back)
Explosive start in an athletic stance, sprinting to the 25-meter line and returning. - Sled Drag (25m down and back)
Grab the pull-strap handle of a weighted sled (~90 lbs) and perform a steady pull backward to the line and back, keeping the chest tall and feet controlled. - Lateral Dash (25m down and back)
Side-shuffle facing the same direction down and back. Focus on keeping your feet during laterals from crossing. - Kettlebell Carry (25m down and back)
Pick up two 40-pound kettlebells and walk briskly while keeping the kettlebells under control and arms straight. - Sprint Again (25m down and back)
Finish strong with one more full sprint maintaining foot control and focus even under fatigue.
Each movement must start and end behind the starting position or finish line. A faulty rep may require a redo.
Muscles & Fitness Components Involved
The SDC is a full-body test, involving:
- Latissimus dorsi and upper back during sled drag
- Grip strength and core muscles in the kettlebell carry
- Leg power and agility during sprints and laterals
- Significant anaerobic endurance due to back-to-back effort
Training Tips to Improve SDC Performance
Want to beat the SDC in under 2 minutes flat? Add these exercises to your routine:
- ✅ Hill sprints or resisted sprints to improve anaerobic conditioning
- ✅ Deadlifts and trap-bar carries to strengthen grip and posterior chain
- ✅ Kettlebell farmer’s walks for control and forearm endurance
- ✅ Sled pulls or rows to simulate the sprint drag carry sled drag movement
- ✅ Agility ladder drills and lateral cone sprints to train direction during laterals
Practicing in uniform and under time pressure helps prepare both mentally and physically.
Official Scoring & ACFT Relevance
This event contributes up to 100 points to your overall ACFT score. Poor control of the entire sled, stepping past boundaries, or incorrect execution can result in a redo or disqualification.
Whether you’re training at Fort Riley, Fort Jackson, or under guidance from an ACFT trainer, mastering the Sprint Drag Carry assessment is crucial to overall Army performance.
The SDC is the ACFT’s gut-check — if you can keep moving when your muscles scream, you’re combat ready.” – Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army