Posted on Jan 13, 2016
Can you take an APFT 45 days after being taped? How do you interpret AR 600-9 for this?
13.5K
18
12
2
2
0
3–4. Weigh-in and body fat assessment
a. 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.
b. 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 weigh-in.
This practice may result in the Soldier being unable to perform his or her best on the APFT, if the two events are scheduled close together.
I had a discussion about this in my unit as to whether or not it was fine to take an APFT 45 days after being taped. IAW the above excerpt, it only gives a minimum recommendation. My CSM also brought up the fact that the "7 days" is for those personnel who are enrolled in the ABCP. My interpretation was that every Soldier falls under the guidance of the ABCP, just that some are over their limits and require extra tending to. My argument was that since there is no guidance for taking more than 7 days to complete the DA 5500/5501 then it is legit to have a gap greater than 7 days. I am not arguing that this is the best practice, but extenuating circumstances arise.
a. 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.
b. 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 weigh-in.
This practice may result in the Soldier being unable to perform his or her best on the APFT, if the two events are scheduled close together.
I had a discussion about this in my unit as to whether or not it was fine to take an APFT 45 days after being taped. IAW the above excerpt, it only gives a minimum recommendation. My CSM also brought up the fact that the "7 days" is for those personnel who are enrolled in the ABCP. My interpretation was that every Soldier falls under the guidance of the ABCP, just that some are over their limits and require extra tending to. My argument was that since there is no guidance for taking more than 7 days to complete the DA 5500/5501 then it is legit to have a gap greater than 7 days. I am not arguing that this is the best practice, but extenuating circumstances arise.
Posted in these groups: 
ABCP
ABCP
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 4
5
5
0
The reason that provision exists is for Soldiers already enrolled in ABCP may attempt to cut weight in advance of the monthly weigh-in, causing a higher risk of injury, not for the entirety of the military population who has to meet the standards at all times and will as a matter of routine weigh-in and tape (if necessary) immediately on the heels of the APFT as we always have.
Note the use of the word "encouraged" instead of "must" in the line about a 7-day gap. That means "don't have to" in Army Regulation-speak. 45 days is way more latitude than I would even consider, frankly. Personnel on the ABCP need to weigh in every 30 days, even after they are in compliance.
Note the use of the word "encouraged" instead of "must" in the line about a 7-day gap. That means "don't have to" in Army Regulation-speak. 45 days is way more latitude than I would even consider, frankly. Personnel on the ABCP need to weigh in every 30 days, even after they are in compliance.
(5)
(0)
SFC Vernon McNabb
The HT/WT was conducted to satisfy a tasking that came down from higher HQ that all AD personnel on the installation would have their HT/WT done and tape if necessary NLT 09 OCT 15. This was done to satisfy curiosity of the Post Commander who had witnessed several people who "appeared overweight". Totally legitimate reasoning by a leader who is engaged with his installation. So, the Soldier was taped while on profile and passed and took an APFT once the recovery period ended. The Soldier passed the record APFT also. And, the HT/WT on the DA 705 showed that he actually lost weight since being taped in OCT, but still slightly above his limits IAW AR 600-9. I am sure he could have received a new DA 5500, but was it "necessary"?
(0)
(0)
1SG (Join to see)
SFC Vernon McNabb - The Soldier can be taped at any time per the instruction of the commander. If he found himself on the wrong side of the line, then he's a no go. Worse than that, because he got into compliance and back slid in the course of four months or so, he is subject to discharge and a Bar to Reenlistment.
(2)
(0)
SFC Vernon McNabb
The Soldier had no issue being taped, but it was brought up by the BDE S-1 because the Soldier's award packet was being reviewed and the Soldier was told initially that it was not in compliance with regulation. Which, per the regulation, was fine. Then the BDE S-1 said "it looks suspicious because of the 45 day gap". So the Soldier was re-taped, lost another percent body fat. So now, not only has the Soldier shown a trend of being more in compliance, he now has a new DA 5500 that is 45 days "after" the APFT. Yes, the Soldier should have been taped sooner, but at the end of the day, we can't change the past, just affect the future. I appreciate your candor and insight, 1SG (Join to see) . I posted my original question to solicit feedback from the community to see how other leaders would handle the situation. And I am always about taking care of the Soldier, as I am sure you are. Thank you.
(2)
(0)
SFC Vernon McNabb
SFC (Join to see) - I agree with your reply 100%. I just wanted to see how other leaders in the community would respond to this scenario. I appreciate your feedback.
(0)
(0)
3
3
0
I agree with 1SG Jerry Healy in the fact that 45 days is way more latitude than I would ever think about giving for the height and weight portion of the APFT. However I do not agree that this 7 day window is only for those that are already in the ABCP. "Some Soldiers that are close to exceeding the screening weight may attempt to lose weight quickly in the days leading up to a weigh-in." All Soldiers in the Army have to follow the regulation. Those that enter the program are the ones that do not meet the regulation standard.
(3)
(0)
1
1
0
30 days is the max per our local policy. Otherwise they re-do both. The requirements are separate, but married to a degree. AR 600-9 para 3-4, supports the requirements as being separate, but having lifted many an AFPT flag I believe the S-1 needs the HT/WT data for emilpo.
d. Units maintain height, weight, and body fat assessment data according to unit policy. The height, weight, and body fat percent may be entered on the Department of the Army (DA) Form 705 (Army Physical Fitness Test Scorecard) but they are no longer required entries. Units may track height and weight on a centralized roster, the DA Form 705, and on the DA Form 5500 (Body Fat Assessment Worksheet - Male) or DA Form 5501 (Body Fat Assessment Worksheet - Female) if a body fat assessment is required.
d. Units maintain height, weight, and body fat assessment data according to unit policy. The height, weight, and body fat percent may be entered on the Department of the Army (DA) Form 705 (Army Physical Fitness Test Scorecard) but they are no longer required entries. Units may track height and weight on a centralized roster, the DA Form 705, and on the DA Form 5500 (Body Fat Assessment Worksheet - Male) or DA Form 5501 (Body Fat Assessment Worksheet - Female) if a body fat assessment is required.
(1)
(0)
CPT Mark Gonzalez
SFC McNabb, when you have been doing things a certain way for so long you forget why. I'm coming up on the end of my tenure, but 30 days max is local policy, which is stipulated in the BDE order signed by our O-6.
I personally believe 45 days is too long, but local to this particular situation the company commander or his equivalent would decide.
I personally believe 45 days is too long, but local to this particular situation the company commander or his equivalent would decide.
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google