I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 4536 
To recognize and reward exceptional physical fitness among members of 
the Armed Forces serving on active duty and to promote physical readi-
ness and overall health in the Armed Forces. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 17, 2025 
Mr. TIMMONS introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and 
Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in 
each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdic-
tion of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To recognize and reward exceptional physical fitness among 
members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty 
and to promote physical readiness and overall health 
in the Armed Forces. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Fit for Duty Act’’. 
SEC. 2. MILITARY FITNESS BONUS PAY. 
(a) FINDINGS; SENSE OF CONGRESS.— 
(1) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
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(A) Physical fitness is a critical component 
of military readiness, ensuring that members of 
the Armed Forces can meet the physical de-
mands of their duties in both training and com-
bat environments. 
(B) According to the Department of De-
fense, musculoskeletal injuries related to poor 
physical fitness are among the leading causes of 
non-deployability and medical discharge in the 
Armed Forces, costing the military billions in 
healthcare expenses annually. 
(C) A 2022 Department of Defense report 
found that approximately 77 percent of young 
Americans are ineligible for military service, 
with obesity being one of the primary disquali-
fying factors. 
(D) Data from the Army Public Health 
Center indicates that excess body fat and poor 
cardiovascular fitness are linked to lower per-
formance in physically demanding tasks, in-
creased risk of injury, and higher attrition rates 
in basic training and beyond. 
(E) According to the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, the prevalence of obe-
sity among active-duty members of the Armed 
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Forces increased from 10.4 percent in 2012 to 
17.4 percent in 2022, negatively affecting over-
all force readiness and deployability. 
(F) The United States Armed Forces lose 
an estimated $1,500,000,000 annually due to 
obesity-related health issues, including lost 
workdays, medical costs, and early separations 
from service. 
(G) The implementation of incentive-based 
fitness programs have been shown to enhance 
motivation and readiness and reduce long-term 
healthcare expenditures within military popu-
lations. 
(2) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of 
Congress that fostering a culture of physical excel-
lence among members of the Armed Forces 
strengthens individual and unit readiness and rein-
forces the ability of the United States to project 
power and defend freedom across the globe as the 
premier military force in the world. 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT OF BONUS.—Subchapter II of 
chapter 5 of title 37, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 358. Military fitness bonus pay 
‘‘(a) AVAILABILITY OF BONUS.— 
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‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary concerned 
shall pay a fitness bonus to each member of the 
Armed Forces who— 
‘‘(A) is entitled to basic pay under section 
204 of this title; and 
‘‘(B) achieves a score of 90 percent or 
higher on a physical fitness test, as determined 
by the Secretary concerned. 
‘‘(2) 
RECURRING
AVAILABILITY.—A 
bonus 
under this section shall be available for each physical 
fitness test the Secretary concerned requires a mem-
ber of the Armed Forces to complete. 
‘‘(b) AMOUNT OF BONUS.—The amount of a bonus 
paid under this section shall be— 
‘‘(1) $1,000 with respect to a member of the 
Armed Forces who achieves a perfect score on a 
physical fitness test; and 
‘‘(2) $500 with respect to a member of the 
Armed Forces who— 
‘‘(A) does not achieve a perfect score on a 
physical fitness test; and 
‘‘(B) achieves a score of 90 percent or 
higher on such physical fitness test. 
‘‘(c) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than December 31 
of each year, each Secretary concerned shall submit to the 
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congressional defense committees a report that includes, 
with respect to the preceding fiscal year— 
‘‘(1) the total number of bonuses awarded 
under this section by the Secretary concerned; 
‘‘(2) the number of bonuses awarded under this 
section by the Secretary concerned for a perfect 
score on a physical fitness test; 
‘‘(3) the number of bonuses awarded under this 
section by the Secretary concerned for a non-perfect 
score of 90 percent or higher on a physical fitness 
test; 
‘‘(4) the number of members of the Armed 
Forces to whom the Secretary concerned awarded a 
bonus under this section; 
‘‘(5) the total cost of carrying out this section 
for members of the Armed Forces under the juris-
diction of the Secretary concerned; and 
‘‘(6) a description of the impact of this section, 
if any, on the military readiness of the members of 
the Armed Forces under the jurisdiction of the Sec-
retary concerned.’’. 
(c) EXCLUSION FROM INCOME TAX.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 134(b) of the Inter-
nal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at 
the end the following new paragraph: 
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‘‘(7) CERTAIN BONUS PAYMENTS FOR MILITARY 
FITNESS.—The term ‘qualified military benefit’ in-
cludes any bonus awarded under section 358 of title 
37, United States Code.’’. 
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made 
by paragraph (1) shall apply to taxable years ending 
after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
Æ 
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