What qualifies as a "supplemental body fat assessment"?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 12:28:42 -0400

Per Army Directive 2023-11, Paragraph 5-C (partial)

"A Soldier who fails the circumference-based tape methods will be flagged. Those Soldiers may request a supplemental body fat assessment if the means for such testing is reasonably available."

Is there a regulation that dictates what methods are authorized as a "supplemental body fat assessment"?

For instance if your unit has a dietician who is certified to use fat calipers to measure body comp, could a command make use of that for body fat assessment? What about InBody scanners and BodPods?

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Aug 30 at 2023 12:37 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 12:37:43 -0400

The only three I see approved in Regulations today are Dual X-Ray, In Body or Bod Pods. I cannot find anything that says you get a choice, so it just may be the one that is available to your command.

Just as a note, the Bod Pods are supposed to be as accurate as water immersion, which is pretty damn good.

Response by COL Randall C. made Aug 30 at 2023 3:33 PM

COL Randall C. — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 15:33:15 -0400

Per the FAQs about the ABCP on the Army Resilience Directorate webpage* - "Soldiers can request a supplemental assessment via the Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry, InBody 770 Body Composition and Body Water Analyzer, or The Bod Pod® body composition tracking system.

Once a Soldier receives a body fat tape test assessment failure counseling statement, the Soldier must state within 10 business days their intent to pursue a supplemental body fat assessment. Upon completion of the supplemental body fat assessment, the Soldier’s record will reflect pass/fail results and be recorded in the Digital Training Management System (DTMS)."

As the directions for supplemental testing in the AD is "reasonably available", a commander will likely factor availability as the main consideration and it's very likely you'll have to find it yourself at your local MTF (if they even have it ... or pay for it out of pocket). If they are booked solid and you wouldn't be able to get tests for another month or two, then it probably wouldn't be considered to be reasonably available.
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* https://www.armyresilience.army.mil/abcp/faq.html

ABCP - Frequently Asked Questions

The focus of the Army Body Composition Program (ABCP) is to have an effective, accurate assessment of the holistic health and fitness of our Force while providing Soldiers with the resources they need to improve and preserve individual and unit readiness.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Aug 31 at 2023 11:25 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 11:25:30 -0400

As the Col stated there are specific alternately recognized methods, not readily available. Mainly because there use is cost ineffective based on the time and resources required. It has been proven that at least two, the latter listed in the regulation are available at most universities for research and use by their athletic programs-so not necessarily quick access.

It cannot hurt to contact them if available. The calipers were discontinued years ago as they are truly not accurate. It is close enough for dietary function but not the military.

Whatever you decide you cannot procrastinate, it may require leave, out of pocket travel etc.

Now for the hard part-you should never allow yourself to ride the margins with your health. Almost every Soldier who fails the body fat /weight standards knew or should have known they were out of tomlerancw. Frankly the 1st line Supervisor and platoon leadership should be counseled as well if it is prove. That they had no prior counseling associated with your weight problem.

You are ultimately responsible for the work, they for the support and oversight.