Reference

Maintaining an appropriate body fat percentage is a key medical fitness requirement for joining and remaining in the U.S. Army. The Department of Defense periodically updates its body fat standards. In 2021, Army senior leaders conducted an in-depth study analyzing the relationship between Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) scores and body composition standards. The findings revealed a correlation between higher body fat percentages and lower ACFT scores, prompting changes to the Army Body Fat Assessment as part of the Army Body Composition Program. These changes, implemented on June 12, 2023, aim to enhance force readiness by ensuring soldiers maintain the physical fitness levels necessary to perform their duties effectively.

This directive applies to all components of the Army, including the Regular Army, the Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States, and the U.S. Army Reserve. Under the new guidelines, soldiers who score 540 or higher on the record ACFT, with a minimum of 80 points in each event, are exempt from the body fat assessment. For those not exempt, the maximum allowable body fat percentages are outlined in the following table:

Maximum Allowable Percent Body Fat Standards*

Age	Male	Female
17-20	20%	30%
21-27	22%	32%
28-39	24%	34%
40 and over	26%	36%

The Army Body Fat Assessment uses a one-site circumference-based tape method to calculate body fat percentage. This method involves measuring the abdominal circumference at the level of the belly button and recording body weight. Measurements should be taken while the subject stands upright with arms resting at their sides. The abdominal circumference is the average of three measurements, rounded to the nearest 0.5 inch, while body weight is rounded to the nearest pound. These measurements can then be entered into the calculator above to determine body fat percentage and assess compliance with the standards.

Soldiers who fail the circumference-based tape method will be flagged. However, they may request a supplemental body fat assessment if the necessary testing resources are available. Approved supplemental methods include:

• Dual X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA)
• InBody 770 Body Composition and Body Water Analyzer
• The Bod Pod Body Composition Tracking System

If a soldier does not request a supplemental assessment or fails the supplemental test, their commanding officer will maintain the original flagging action, and the soldier will be enrolled in the Army Body Composition Program (ABCP).