2–1. General
Soldiers must maintain a high level of physical readiness in order to meet mission requirements.
Body composition is one indicator of physical readiness that is associated with an individual’s fitness, endurance, and overall health.
Individuals with desirable body fat percentages generally exhibit increased muscular strength and endurance, are less likely to sustain injury from weight bearing activity, and are more likely to perform at an optimal level.
Soldiers will meet Army Body Composition Program (ABCP) standards, as prescribed in this regulation, for the individual and collective benefit to themselves, their unit, and the entire Army.
2–2. Deputy Chief of Staff, G–1
a.
The DCS, G–1 is responsible for the ABCP.
b.
Through the Commanding General (CG), U.S. Army Human Resources Command (HRC) will—
(1)
Monitor the ABCP in the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR).
(2)
Take appropriate action under guidance prescribed in this regulation.
(3)
Ensure that members applying for tours of active duty, active duty for training (ADT), active duty support, and Active Guard Reserve (AGR) meet the body fat standards prescribed in this regulation.
Soldiers who do not meet these standards will not be permitted to enter on active duty, ADT, active duty support, or in AGR status.
2–3. The Surgeon General
TSG will—
a.
Establish medical examination and medical counseling policies in support of the ABCP.
b.
Evaluate the medical aspects of the program.
c.
Establish and review procedures for determination of body fat content.
d.
Provide guidance on improving the nutritional status of Soldiers.
e.
Provide recommendations and/or medical opinions on medical exception to policy requests to the Office of the DCS, G–1.
2–4. Deputy Chief of Staff, G–3/5/7
The DCS, G–3/5/7 will establish training guidance in support of the ABCP.
2–5. Deputy Chief of Staff, G–4
The DCS, G–4 will—
a.
Establish food service guidance in support of the ABCP.
b.
Publish guidance and information pertaining to the performance nutrition contribution of items served on master menus.
2–6. Chief, National Guard Bureau
CNGB will—
a.
Implement and monitor the ABCP in the Army National Guard (ARNG).
b.
Take appropriate action under guidance prescribed in this regulation.
2–7. Chief, Army Reserve
CAR will—
a.
Monitor the ABCP in the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR).
b.
Take appropriate action under guidance prescribed in this regulation.
2–8. Commanding General, U.S. Forces Command
The CG, FORSCOM will implement and monitor the ABCP in Regular Army (RA) units and USAR to include troop program units, reinforcement training units, and continental United States individual mobilization augmentees.
2–9. Commanders of Army commands, Army service component commands, and direct reporting units
The commanders of ACOMs, ASCCs, and DRUs will ensure that Soldiers within their commands are evaluated under the body fat standards prescribed in this regulation.
2–10. Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command
The CG, TRADOC is responsible for ensuring Soldiers are trained on basic tenets of sleep, activity, and nutrition at the time of their initial entry.
2–11. School Commandants
Commandants, TRADOC schools, and commandants and/or commanders of USAR Forces schools, the Army Reserve Readiness Training Center, and/or ARNG-conducted schools (regional NCO academies, State military academies, or ARNG professional education center courses) will take the actions in accordance with AR 350–1 upon determining that a student arrived for a professional military school who exceeds the body fat standard.
2–12. Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Command
The CG, MEDCOM will—
a.
Establish and provide weight reduction and counseling programs led by providers from medical treatment facilities in support of the ABCP.
b.
Provide appropriate literature and training aids for use by Soldiers, supervisors, and commanders that include the tenets of sleep, activity, and nutrition and its impact on obtaining and maintaining optimal body composition and performance.
c.
Ensure commanders of overseas major medical commands institute weight reduction and counseling programs led by medical providers from Army medical facilities in support of the ABCP.
2–13. Individuals
Each Soldier (commissioned officer, warrant officer, and enlisted) is responsible for meeting the standards prescribed in this regulation.
2–14. Order Issuing Officials
Order issuing officials will ensure all temporary duty and permanent change of station (PCS) orders include the following in the text:
“You are responsible for reporting to your next duty station and/or school in satisfactory physical condition, able to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), and meet body fat standards in accordance with AR 600–9.”
2–15. Commanders and Supervisors
Commanders and supervisors (RA and Reserve Component (RC)) will—
a.
Implement the ABCP, to include evaluation of the military appearance of all Soldiers under their jurisdiction and measurement of body fat as prescribed in this regulation.
b.
Exercise reasonable due diligence to ensure every scale used for height and weight measurements is accurate (see para B–2).
c.
Maintain memorandum of record to document completion of training on proper height, weight, and body circumference methodology for the unit fitness training NCO or other designated NCOs.
d.
Ensure the continued evaluation of all Soldiers under their command or supervision against the body fat standards prescribed in this regulation.
e.
Review monthly Suspension of Favorable Personnel Actions Management Report (AAA–095) for all Soldiers who are flagged or have been flagged within the past 36 months for failing to meet body fat standards.
f.
Communicate with Army Medical Treatment Facility (MTF) registered dietitians, other health care professionals, Army Wellness Centers, and other MTF resources to provide education on tenets of sleep, activity, and performance nutrition for optimal body composition, health promotion, and readiness of the unit.
g.
Commanders are encouraged to proactively provide education and resources in the unit footprint to maximize participation of Soldiers who are currently above their body fat standard or within 3 percent of their body fat standard.
h.
Upload complete ABCP file for flagged Soldiers to Interactive Personnel Electronics Records Management System (iPERMS) no earlier than 30 days prior to clearing the installation to ensure that the gaining unit has visibility of flag for noncompliance with body fat standards and access to the associated documents during a PCS (see para 3–8).
i.
Review all incoming personnel flags and no later than 30 days after arrival download all supporting documents related to the flag from the iPERMS temporary administrative folder.
j.
Upon release from the ABCP, submit documents from the Soldier’s ABCP packet (see para 3–8) to iPERMS per AR 600–8–104.
2–16. Military Treatment Facility
The MTF will provide resources and programs to support education on tenets of sleep, activity, and nutrition for optimal body composition, health promotion, and readiness of the unit.
a. Health Care Personnel Will—
(1)
Assist commanders and supervisors in ensuring that individuals who exceed body fat standards receive counseling as indicated from a registered dietitian, if available.
If a registered dietitian is not available, counseling may be provided by a health care provider, to include nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or medical doctor.
(2)
Identify those individuals who have a pathological condition requiring medical treatment.
(3)
Evaluate Soldiers who exceed body fat standards in accordance with this regulation.
(4)
Advise Soldiers that while various medical conditions, environmental conditions, functional limitations (temporary or permanent physical profiles), and/or medications may contribute to weight gain, they are still required to meet the body fat standard established in this regulation.
The DCS, G–1 is the exception to policy approval authority for special considerations (see para 3–17).
(5)
Complete all requirements to include providing a signed memorandum for the commander when the Soldier has completed all steps in the required nutrition program or after initial appointment if Soldier chooses another option to lose weight.
The memorandum will verify that the sleep, activity, and nutritional counseling took place.
(6)
Refer Soldier for health coaching, weight management, sleep education, exercise prescription, and fitness/performance training, if indicated.
b. Army Wellness Center (AWC) or Health Promotion Resources Will—
(1)
In the absence of a designated Master Fitness Trainer, deliver training to command designated unit fitness training NCOs and designated NCOs in proper height, weight, and body circumference methodology to assess body fat composition.
Provide a memorandum of record documenting completion of training for commander/supervisor file certifying completion of proper height, weight, and body circumference methodology training.
(2)
Provide evidence-based health and wellness assessments and general wellness education and coaching on healthy sleep, activity, and nutrition, weight management, goal setting, and performance, proper exercise and fitness techniques.
(3)
Assist commanders and supervisors with conducting weigh-ins and body fat assessments, as needed.
(4)
As required and/or requested, assist commanders in developing physical fitness programs.
2–17. Designated Master Fitness Trainer or Noncommissioned Officer
a. A Designated Master Fitness Trainer Will—
(1)
Train command designated unit fitness training NCOs or other designated NCOs in proper height, weight, and body circumference methodology to assess body fat composition and train command designated unit fitness training NCOs in proper exercise and fitness techniques.
In the absence of a Master Fitness Trainer, utilize and coordinate with the local MTF to provide this training, as needed.
(2)
Provide memorandum of record regarding unit fitness training NCO or other designated NCO completion of proper height, weight, and body circumference methodology training.
b. A Designated Master Fitness Trainer or Unit Fitness Training NCO Will—
(1)
Prescribe proper exercise and fitness techniques, according to FM 7–22, to assist Soldiers in meeting and maintaining body fat standards.
(2)
Assist commanders in developing programs that establish a physical fitness program in accordance with FM 7–22.
(3)
Improve readiness of the unit by assisting commanders in communication with health care professionals, health promotion/prevention teams, and/or AWCs to ensure Soldiers receive performance education on sleep, activity, and performance nutrition.
(4)
In the absence of a unit Master Fitness Trainer, the AWC (if available at location) or the MTF has resource capacity to provide education on proper height, weight, and body circumference methodology, and proper exercise and fitness techniques, as well as to assist commanders in developing physical fitness programs.
2–18. Performance Experts
Performance experts will provide individual and unit tailored human performance optimization and resilience training to improve performance and promote efficiency and excellence during physical training, as requested.