Are there exemptions to the body fat assessments (tape test) in the Army?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 11:00:06 -0400

I have had 3 c sections and the 3rd was twins with a minor complication because one was higher up in my ribs and did not wanna come out. I have been struggling with tape . I have so so much excess skin due to all the pregnancies and cannot lose it without surgery. I keep failing tape due to the excess skin trust me there's a lot even the surgeon I went to looked and was surprised. I have reclass and do not wanna fail. I have been dieting , losing weight but it isn't enough..

Response by COL Randall C. made Apr 8 at 2024 12:12 PM

COL Randall C. — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 12:12:53 -0400

If there is a medical condition that is affecting the accuracy of the Army Body Composition Program (ABCP), then you need to have a medical authority put that in writing.

The only approved PRIMARY method of estimating the percentage of body fat in an individual in the Army is the circumference-based tape method (single- or multi-site). However, there are a number of approved supplemental body fat assessments and if an individual fails the tape test, they can request a supplemental test at the failure counseling if it is 'reasonably available'.

Is your unit using the one-site circumference-based tape method*? This is the new one the Army has implemented and the multiple-site one will be phased out (beginning 8 June, 2024 it is no longer authorized).

If you have an assessment that a medical condition is interfering with the accuracy of the testing, then that may give the request for supplemental testing additional emphasis to the approval authority when they determine what is 'reasonably available'.

However, keep in mind that while there is a (temporary) medical exemption to weight screening if weight gain is due to an underlying medical condition, there isn't one to body fat assessment. While your medical situation would give you issues with the tape test, it would still come back to passing the Ht/Wt standards.

Another option is to focus on the ACFT events and have a score of 540+ with a minimum score of 80 points in each event. Soldiers are exempted* from body fat assessments if so.
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* Army Directive 2023-11 (Army Body Fat Assessment for the Army Body Composition Program) https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN38535-ARMY_DIR_2023-11-000-WEB-1.pdf
* Army Body Composition Program (until AR 600-9 is updated with current guidance)
* One-site Tape Test - https://www.armyresilience.army.mil/abcp/BodyFatCalculator.html
* Army Directive 2023-08 (Body fat exemption for ACFT score) - https://www.armyresilience.army.mil/abcp/pdf/AD%202023-08-Army%20Body%20Composition%20Exemption%20for%20ACFT%20Score.pdf

ARN38535-ARMY_DIR_2023-11-000-WEB-1.pdf

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2024 2:09 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 14:09:11 -0400

You have to get a medical exemption and that has to come from a medical authority - but generally when I've seen it is people are getting medboarded usually if they get exempted from height/weight.

It's horrible for women with flipping height/weight standards especially after we have kids AND as we get older. Another reason I'm retiring at 20 because I'm in my 40s now and it's already been hard to keep weight off since I had my kid and she's almost 10. Now getting older it's getting harder and I hate starving myself for height/weight.

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made Apr 9 at 2024 7:53 PM

SSG Laurie Mullen — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 19:53:30 -0400

My sister had twins and then eventually two more kids. She wasn't fat or overweight by any means, but she couldn't get rid of the "pouch" either. She had to have a tummy tuck too. Good luck!

Response by CSM William Everroad made Apr 17 at 2024 12:52 PM

CSM William Everroad — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 12:52:18 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Lots of decent recommendations to pursue the medical side, but don't forget the simple way: scoring a 540 with a minimum of 80 points in each event, exempts you from the body-fat assessment. You still have to weigh in, but your ABC is not assessed with tape.