Your Child's Path to a Service Academy Starts Here
Specialized CFA training for West Point, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, and the Merchant Marine Academy, backed by Platoon Fitness's 30 years of coaching.
What Families Are Saying
"Our son had no idea what the CFA even was when we started. Six months later he passed with scores well above the minimum. The structured training made all the difference — this program is the real deal."
30
Years Experience
4
CFA Academies
Free
Strategy Call
30 Years of Proven Results
For 30 years, Platoon Fitness has coached athletes on the Main Line. CandidateFitnessAssessment.com applies that experience to the CFA, the standardized fitness test required by West Point, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, and the Merchant Marine Academy. Our training system focuses on technique, conditioning, strength, and event-specific preparation.ss test required by West Point, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, and the Merchant Marine Academy. Our proven training system focuses on proper technique, conditioning, strength, and event-specific preparation.
Our goal is not simply to help candidates pass the CFA — we help them maximize their scores across all six events so they submit the strongest possible fitness results.
Start Your CFA Prep TodayThe CFA Is Harder Than Most Candidates Expect
It's not a general fitness test — it's six specific events
The CFA is six events in a fixed order, all completed in under 40 minutes: kneeling basketball throw, pull-ups (or the flexed-arm hang, for women who cannot yet do one pull-up), shuttle run, abdominal crunches, push-ups, and the one-mile run. Most high school athletes have never trained these events in this format. Without specific preparation, even fit candidates underperform.
Low scores can hurt an otherwise strong application
Academies evaluate CFA scores as part of the whole-person review. A weak score in even one event — especially pull-ups or the mile run — can raise questions about a candidate's physical readiness for the rigors of academy life. Competitive scores matter.
Make every official attempt count.
USNA lets candidates retake the CFA and considers their best passing attempt. But each attempt means scheduling a new official session, and all six scores have to come from that one session. Starting structured, event-specific training 6–12 months out is the most effective way to make the first official attempt a strong one.
Specialized Support for Every Stage of the Journey
CFA Prep Plans
Structured 8–24 week training programs designed specifically for the six CFA events. Includes weekly workout schedules, scoring benchmarks, and progress tracking — built for high school athletes who need to peak at the right time.
View Prep Plans1-on-1 CFA Coaching
Personalized coaching sessions focused on your child's specific weak events. We assess current performance across all six CFA events, identify the gaps, and build a targeted training plan to maximize scores before test day.
Request a Free CallEvent-Specific Training
Targeted drills and progressions for each of the six CFA events — kneeling basketball throw, pull-ups, shuttle run, crunches, push-ups, and the mile run. We train the exact movements scored on test day.
See All 6 CFA EventsCFA Prep Plans
Structured training programs for every level — from self-guided prep to full coaching. Choose the plan that fits your timeline and goals, and start building toward a competitive CFA score.
View Prep PlansThe Five U.S. Service Academies
Each academy has its own culture, branch of service, and admissions nuances. We cover all five so your family can make an informed decision — and prepare strategically. Note: West Point, USNA, USAFA, and USMMA require the CFA. The Coast Guard Academy uses a separate Physical Fitness Examination (PFE).
Air Force Academy
U.S. Air Force Academy
Colorado Springs, CO
U.S. Air Force
Coast Guard Academy
U.S. Coast Guard Academy
New London, CT
U.S. Coast Guard
Merchant Marine Academy
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Kings Point, NY
U.S. Maritime Service
Three Steps to a Competitive Application
Assess Your Starting Point
We evaluate your child's current performance across all six CFA events — kneeling basketball throw, pull-ups, shuttle run, crunches, push-ups, and the mile run — to identify exactly where they stand and what needs the most work.
Build Your CFA Prep Plan
You receive a customized training program — 8, 16, or 24 weeks — with weekly workout schedules, event-specific drills, and scoring benchmarks tailored to your child's target academy and test date.
Train, Peak, and Crush the CFA
With a structured plan and expert coaching, your child trains with purpose, peaks at the right time, and walks into test day confident — with scores that reflect months of focused preparation.
Families Who Found Their Path
We had no idea where to start with the CFA. The six events felt overwhelming, and my son had never trained pull-ups or the basketball throw in his life. This program gave us a clear roadmap and he scored well above the minimum on every event.
Jennifer M.
Son — West Point Candidate
My daughter was athletic but had never trained specifically for the CFA events. The structured prep plan made all the difference. She scored in the competitive range and felt completely prepared walking into test day.
Robert & Susan T.
Daughter — Naval Academy Candidate
The free strategy call alone was worth it. We learned exactly which events our son needed to focus on and got a realistic training timeline. He went from struggling with pull-ups to exceeding the competitive benchmark.
Patricia L.
Son — Air Force Academy Candidate
Answers to the Questions Every Parent Asks
The CFA has specific requirements that catch many candidates off guard. Here are the questions we hear most often from families preparing for the test.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Book a free 30-minute strategy call with a CFA training specialist. We'll assess your child's current fitness, identify the events that need the most work, and give you a clear prep plan — at no cost and with no obligation.
A brand of Platoon Fitness, with 30 years of fitness and performance coaching on the Main Line (est. 1996). Visit Platoon Fitness — 30 years of military fitness and performance training.
Featured CFA Experts by Gain Service Academy Admission
Platoon Fitness was selected by Gain Service Academy Admission to provide expert guidance on the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA), an important component of the admissions process for U.S. Service Academies.
Gain Service Academy Admission interviewed Platoon Fitness on its Candidate Fitness Assessment podcast to discuss proven CFA training strategies, fitness preparation, and performance techniques that help candidates succeed. Whether you are applying to West Point, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, or the Merchant Marine Academy, Platoon Fitness provides individualized coaching and training programs designed to maximize CFA performance and overall fitness.
“In this episode, we interview the experts at Platoon Fitness regarding how to succeed on the CFA.”
Gain Service Academy Admission
Candidate Fitness Assessment Podcast
West Point (USMA)
CFA training specialists
Naval Academy (USNA)
Individualized coaching
Air Force Academy
Performance techniques
USMA, USNA, USAFA & USMMA
Proven CFA strategies
Ready to Maximize Your Child's CFA Score?
The candidates who score highest on the CFA don't wing it — they train specifically for each event with a structured plan. Book a free call and we'll assess where your child stands and build a prep plan around their test date.
Free 30-Minute CFA Strategy Call
In a single call, we'll assess your child's current fitness across all six CFA events, identify the biggest gaps, and give you a clear training plan — at no cost and no obligation.
- CFA event-by-event assessment
- Scoring benchmark review
- Training timeline recommendation
- Personalized next steps
Limited availability. No sales pressure.