Posted on Jan 21, 2016
Should the Army update its weight and tape procedures/mechanisms? If so, why?
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Yes the Army needs to update 600-9. The problem is finding a BF % test that is quick and easy enough for units to do. They also have to think about training everyone on how the new test is done (when/if it there is a new one). That is why the Army is taking so long changing 600-9.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
Exactly this.
The standard Height & Weight fits the needs of "85%" of the force. The Tape Test like fits the needs of "85%" of those that are outside Height & Weight. Both of those are EXTREMELY easy tests to teach and perform.
The problem however is that the remaining folks 2.25% of Total Army is A LOT of People. That's 3-4 people in every Company that this test doesn't work for (using completely made up numbers).
The issue is we "know" someone is Physically Fit, even though they are not within the "Letter of the Reg" and we "know" someone is NOT Physically Fit, even though they ARE within the "Letter of the Reg." We don't have a means of really correcting that, because the Reg doesn't have a good way to address either of these scenarios.
The standard Height & Weight fits the needs of "85%" of the force. The Tape Test like fits the needs of "85%" of those that are outside Height & Weight. Both of those are EXTREMELY easy tests to teach and perform.
The problem however is that the remaining folks 2.25% of Total Army is A LOT of People. That's 3-4 people in every Company that this test doesn't work for (using completely made up numbers).
The issue is we "know" someone is Physically Fit, even though they are not within the "Letter of the Reg" and we "know" someone is NOT Physically Fit, even though they ARE within the "Letter of the Reg." We don't have a means of really correcting that, because the Reg doesn't have a good way to address either of these scenarios.
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SGT (Join to see)
Roger that SGM. Until this type of change is put into place, I think the Army, units and Soldiers will continue to see the ill effects of AR 600-9. It cost money and resources to suit up Soldiers, pay them and let them go because either they didn't meet the standards of an already flawed practice. Budget allocation for units, etc., is effected and Soldiers' careers are at stake. The Armys professionals deserve a better commitment to service.
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MAJ (Join to see)
Adopting a new standard for this isn't actually that hard. We already have Army Wellness Centers with trained staff and advanced technology that can accurately determine body composition. All the Army and DoD need is the will to change the measurement standard.
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Yes, it is well beyond time for the Army to change its methods of assessing body composition. IMO, continuing to chapter Soldiers out of the Army knowing that the current test is highly inaccurate in principle, and subjective in nature, is counter to our Army Values.
The DEXA/DXA has recently become the new Gold Standard of body-fat measurement. While it takes a bit of training to use, any 68W (medic) should be able to learn quickly. Every Army Hospital has at least one already and some smaller clinics have one as well. At $30K per machine, we should be able to outfit the rest of the Army relatively quickly and inexpensively. We could incorporate this into our annual Physical Health Assessment (PHA). The unit won't need to do it anymore, when you have your PHA, your provider will automatically schedule you an appointment for it. MEDPROS!
The DEXA/DXA has recently become the new Gold Standard of body-fat measurement. While it takes a bit of training to use, any 68W (medic) should be able to learn quickly. Every Army Hospital has at least one already and some smaller clinics have one as well. At $30K per machine, we should be able to outfit the rest of the Army relatively quickly and inexpensively. We could incorporate this into our annual Physical Health Assessment (PHA). The unit won't need to do it anymore, when you have your PHA, your provider will automatically schedule you an appointment for it. MEDPROS!
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Simply, yes. Why? The current standard is based on 50-year old data and 30-year old science, is routinely highly inaccurate, and leads, in a corporate sense, to a large waste of investment (it is really expensive to train a Soldier--why would we kick a Soldier out based on the results of an inaccurate test?)
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