Posted on Oct 24, 2015
At what point does the Army tape test become completely inaccurate?
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I have a Soldier who is over weight by 61 lbs and by no means presents a professional appearance. He's 5'8", 250 lbs, with a 42 inch waist and a 20 inch neck. He's allotted 24% body fat but the tape test puts him at 22%. Looking at the Soldier anybody can see there is no that is accurate.
Army
AR 600-9
Height and Weight
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 8
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The tape test is inaccurate. Statistically, studies have shown the test is generally + or - 4 percent, with outliers of more than +or - 15 percent. So the Soldier you mention may or may not be over fat, but the tape test is not going to tell you that. Unfortunately, it's the Army standard.
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The tape test is absolutely not accurate. The difference between a person's neck and waist is a question of measured proportions, not an indicator of a specific percentage of body fat.
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Tape test is highly inaccurate. Like showed in your example. It favors a larger neck.
Another example is myself im 6'5 at 240lbs but have a small neck. As a result I'm always coming in just on that line of allowed. Curious one time after I got taped coming to a 23% (allowed 22%) I went to army nutrition to get a more accurate reading from a BIA. Those results had me at 16%.
After presenting my report to my 1stsgt he allowed me to retape under his supervision and I came to 21%
Remember your command can authorize a tape test at any point in time. Doesn't have to be biannual.
Another example is myself im 6'5 at 240lbs but have a small neck. As a result I'm always coming in just on that line of allowed. Curious one time after I got taped coming to a 23% (allowed 22%) I went to army nutrition to get a more accurate reading from a BIA. Those results had me at 16%.
After presenting my report to my 1stsgt he allowed me to retape under his supervision and I came to 21%
Remember your command can authorize a tape test at any point in time. Doesn't have to be biannual.
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I can agree with this. In 2005 during deployment, I have seen some of my peers (when I was an NCO) work on their necks for half the work out to pass the tape test.
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