1. Implement the Army Body Composition Program
SSI Noncommissioned Officer Academy Senior Leaders Course
Implement the Army Body Composition Program

2. Concrete Experience
GROUP 1: Identify 5 things that are right with the Army Body Composition Program.
GROUP 2: Identify 5 things that are wrong with the Army Body Composition Program.

3. Learning Objective Action: Implement the Army Body Composition Program
Condition: Senior HR Leaders in a classroom environment working individually and as a member of a small group, using doctrinal and administrative publications, practical exercises, case studies, personal experience, handouts, and discussion with an awareness of the Operational Environment (OE) variables and actors.
Standard:
Describe the Army’s body composition objectives and responsibilities.
Interpret the policies and procedures of the Army Body Composition Program.
Physical fitness not only includes physical training, but proper weight maintenance.
The Army has always fostered a neat and trim appearance for its members. It is an
essential function of day-to-day effectiveness and combat readiness that all
personnel are healthy and physically fit. Commanders, supervisors, and individuals
are responsible for maintaining and enforcing proper weight and appearance
standards. This lesson provides you with the doctrinal knowledge and hands-on
proficiency to accomplish your responsibilities in analyzing the unit weight control
program. This lesson consists of a before class reading assignment, a classroom
discussion, and a practical exercise.

4. Army Body Composition Program
Primary Objective
To ensure that all Soldiers--
Achieve and maintain optimal well being and performance
Secondary Objective
Assist in establishing and maintaining--
Operational readiness
Physical fitness
Health
Establish body fat standards
Provide procedures to meet the standards

5. Responsibilities Individuals Order Issuing Officials
Meeting the standards
Order Issuing Officials
Ensure TDY and PCS orders include:
“You are responsible for reporting to your next duty station/school in satisfactory physical condition, able to pass the APFT and meet boy fat standards IAW AR ”
Commanders’/Supervisors’ Responsibilities
Implement the ABCP
Ensure continued evaluation of all Soldiers
Review monthly AAA-095
Forward ABCP packet to gaining unit

6. Body Composition Process
Meets Height/Weight Table?
Screening
Weight Control Actions NO
Meets Body Fat Standard?
1. Enter ABCP
2. Flag
3. Nutrition Counseling
4. Medical Evaluation NO
YES
Appearance Satisfactory? NO
Medical Problem?
YES NO
ABCP
YES
Note: Refer students to AR 600-9, para 3-4
Weigh-ins and body fat assessments will be conducted in accordance with appendix B. All Soldiers will be weighed every 6 months at a minimum.
In order to ensure the ABCP does NOT interfere with Soldier performance on the APFT, commanders and supervisors are encouraged to allow a minimum of 7 days between APFT and weigh-in, if feasible. Some Soldiers that are close to exceeding the screening weight may attempt to lose weight quickly in the days leading up to a weight-in which may result in the Soldier being unable to perform his or her best on the APFT, if the two events are scheduled too close together.
No Action Required
No Action Required
YES
**Medical Treatment
** Identified during evaluation.

7. Body Composition Actions
Weight loss in any 2 consecutive months?
**Satisfactory Progress in 6 months?
Meets Body Fat Standard?
1. Remove from ABCP
2. Lift Flag
ABCP
YES
YES
YES NO NO
Medical Problem?
AWCP
Medical Treatment NO
YES
**Satisfactory progress is loss of 3 to 8 pounds or 1% body fat per month.
Personnel will remain in the ABCP after the initial 6-month period if they-
Still exceed the body fat standard.
Made satisfactory progress toward their weight loss or are at or below the screening table weight. NO
Meets Body Fat Standard?
YES
Note: Refer students to AR 600-9, para 3-4
Weigh-ins and body fat assessments will be conducted in accordance with appendix B. All Soldiers will be weighed every 6 months at a minimum.
In order to ensure the ABCP does NOT interfere with Soldier performance on the APFT, commanders and supervisors are encouraged to allow a minimum of 7 days between APFT and weigh-in, if feasible. Some Soldiers that are close to exceeding the screening weight may attempt to lose weight quickly in the days leading up to a weight-in which may result in the Soldier being unable to perform his or her best on the APFT, if the two events are scheduled too close together. NO
Below HT/WT Table? NO
YES
Consider for Separation
ABCP

8. Failure to Meet Body Composition Standards
Nonpromotable
Not assigned to command positions
Not authorized for consideration or attendance at professional military or civilian schooling
Denied enrollment to professional military schools if arriving overweight
Formally enrolled in the ABCP
Suspension of Favorable Personnel Actions (Flagged)
Considered failing if:
Unsatisfactory progress after any two consecutive monthly weigh-ins.
Unsatisfactory progress after 6 Months
Upon failure:
Cdr will request medical evaluation
Cdr will process for separation if medical condition does not meet medical retention
If no medical condition exists, separation will be initiated

9. Exemptions
The following Soldiers are exempt but must maintain a Soldierly appearance:
Soldiers with major limb loss
Soldiers on established continue on active duty and/or continued RC status
Pregnant and postpartum Soldiers
Soldiers hospitalized for =/> 30 continuous days
New recruit

10. Why is the Tape Test Used?
Department of Defense Instruction (DODI) , DOD Physical Fitness and Body Fat Programs Procedures (5 Nov 02), provides physical and body fat procedures to ensure the Services’ body composition programs are consistent and scientifically current.
The DODI established percent body fat standards using the circumference- based method (body fat calculation equations, measurement sites, and measurement techniques).
These equations rely heavily on assessment of abdominal fat, the region of greatest interest to public health experts.
The purpose of the body fat calculation is to ensure those with extra weight due to lean muscle mass are not unfairly required to leave the military.
Lean body mass is critical to successfully perform military-unique jobs that require combat readiness.
Acceptable tape measures are made of non-stretchable (fiberglass) material

11. Are “love handles” measured when you obtain abdominal circumference?
Tape Test
Are “love handles” measured when you obtain abdominal circumference?
NO. AR describes the abdominal circumference site as being at the level of the “belly button”
Consistency in measurement is an important aspect of doing the tape test correctly.
Body circumference measurements must always be done exactly as described in AR to ensure consistency and fairness each time a Soldier is measured.
The locations to measure the various body circumferences are based on standard body sites determined by scientists who studied how to best measure body fat in males and females.
Moving the tape up or down when measuring the waist to ensure the tape includes the “love handles” is not a good practice as this clearly deviates from the scientific recommendations.

12. Underlying Medical Conditions
If a Soldier has an underlying medical condition and is being treated by a healthcare provider for that condition, is he/she exempt from AR 600-9?
A Soldier found to have a temporary underlying medical condition by a healthcare provider which directly causes weight gain or prohibits weight loss (e.g., a metabolic condition such as thyroid disease, not currently under control) may be temporarily exempt from enrollment into the ABCP. The flag will remain in place.
The Soldier is expected to be in compliance with AR effective the ending date of that prescribed period. If not, he/she will be enrolled in the ABCP.
Use of certain medications that may cause weight gain, “dead man’s” profile, and recovery from surgery / injury are not considered “underlying medical conditions” and should not be used to temporarily exempt a Soldier from enrollment in the ABCP.

13. Pregnant Soldiers
When and for how long is a pregnant Soldier exempt from AR 600-9?
Pregnant Soldiers are exempt from the standards of AR for the duration of pregnancy plus six months.
When initially informed of the pregnancy, the Soldier shall continue her physical fitness program under the supervision of medical authority.
The U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and preventive Medicine (USACHPPM) has developed a scientifically based program that has proven useful. Information about the program may be found at:

14. Flagging Actions When will a Soldier be flagged for being overweight?
Effective date of flag and enrollment in the ABCP is the date on which counseling occurs
Prior to or shortly after enrollment in the ABCP, Soldier will be provided dietary education or nutrition counseling by healthcare personnel, exercise guidance, and assistance in behavior modification (as appropriate) to help him/her meet Army standards
Are medical evaluations required before a Soldier is flagged?
NO. However, a medical evaluation will be completed when the Soldier has a medical limitation, is pregnant, or when requested by the unit commander.
A medical evaluation is also required for Soldiers being considered for separation for failing to make satisfactory progress in the ABCP or who are within six months of exiting the Service.
It is recommended that all Soldiers who are enrolled in a body composition program receive a medical evaluation; however, a medical evaluation does not exclude the Soldier from meeting body fat standards outlined in AR

15. Exceptions / Waivers
Can the commander or attending physician approve exceptions to AR 600-9?
NO. The Army G-1 is the proponent for the ABCP and approval authority for all waivers.
Commanders must provide counseling to Soldiers to establish a personal weight goal and implement the ABCP.
Healthcare personnel assist commanders and supervisors by providing weight reduction counseling, identification of pathological conditions that require medical treatment, and evaluating Soldiers with medical limitations.
Physical Profiles will not be used to excuse Soldiers from the provisions of AR
AR contains a standard memorandum for completion by a physician if there is an underlying or associated disease process that is the cause of the overweight condition.

16. Learning Objective Action: Implement the Army Body Composition Program
Condition: Senior HR Leaders in a classroom environment working individually and as a member of a small group, using doctrinal and administrative publications, practical exercises, case studies, personal experience, handouts, and discussion with an awareness of the Operational Environment (OE) variables and actors.
Standard:
Describe the Army’s body composition objectives and responsibilities.
Interpret the policies and procedures of the Army Body Composition Program.
Physical fitness not only includes physical training, but proper weight maintenance.
The Army has always fostered a neat and trim appearance for its members. It is an
essential function of day-to-day effectiveness and combat readiness that all
personnel are healthy and physically fit. Commanders, supervisors, and individuals
are responsible for maintaining and enforcing proper weight and appearance
standards. This lesson provides you with the doctrinal knowledge and hands-on
proficiency to accomplish your responsibilities in analyzing the unit weight control
program. This lesson consists of a before class reading assignment, a classroom
discussion, and a practical exercise.