Army major writes ultimate take-down of 'senseless' tape test

unless the Army is willing to spend the money on a high grade piece of technology that is built to provide accurate, I think we are just trading one piece of equipment we doubt for another that we still doubt. I also think that sampling and testing any new system will open up second and third order discussions that the Army is completely ready to face. For example, what if the Army does a sample and finds that for a Soldier to be successful, they operate at a higher body fat percentage then the current DOD regulatory guidance allows for? or what if the army found out that on average the test is off by a few percentage points and the force as a whole is heavier then we thought? now I am not saying either of these are the most likely scenario but I am saying that their a possibility, so before we charge forth and change the system we need to be prepared for any all results that get discovered in the course of a study.

Great article with a lot of valid points. Having been through the Army Tapes test when I was on active duty, I can tell you it is a flawed system. The height and weight Regulation is one of the many regulations that need to be overhauled for the current times. With a lot of Soldiers getting into the body building, MMA and Cross fit, the body compositions have drastically changed. There are so many that have zero body fat, but huge muscle mass that they fall into the over weight program. Times have changed, diets have changed, life styles have changed, but the Military is slow to catch up with the changes....that is unless it is a Hot News Maker.

1 pass the fitness test
2 look professional
3 find better way to check body fat
4 use Performance reviews instead of fit test as primary criteria for admin discharges