ACFT
ACFT
Posted on Apr 8, 2024
Are there exemptions to the body fat assessments (tape test) in the Army?
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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..
Posted in these groups: 
ACFT
Height and Weight
ACFT Height and Weight
Posted 22 d ago
Responses: 4
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
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
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SPC (Join to see)
The single site I'm barely passing but depends on who is taping me because one solider let the tap so loose I failed even though I've been through this many time it has to be tight but not super tight you should be able to put hands between tape and solider. But if they do it right then I am passing not by much but passing . I'm trying to do my best and continue with dieting and exercises , hoping getting a tummy tuck beginning of next year where I won't have to worry no more. My excess skin is so bad I'm struggling .
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SSG Donald Kuhns
I don't know if they still do a watervdisplacement test but they did when I was in. At 5' 10", 205 lbs they always were trying to say I was heavy. NOT, I had a 28" waste and a 55" chest (natural). Once they completed all their test it was determined that I had only 4% body fat. Funny thing is you would guess that they could have figured it out seeing as I excelled at every APFT at the time. So if yourvstill in (and I'm guessing you are), as your medical professionals what options are available for further evaluation.
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COL Randall C.
SSG Donald Kuhns - The three approved methods for secondary body fat analysis are:
● DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry)
● Using the InBody 770 (uses bioelectrical impedance analysis)
● Using the Bod Pod (uses air displacement plethysmography)
● DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry)
● Using the InBody 770 (uses bioelectrical impedance analysis)
● Using the Bod Pod (uses air displacement plethysmography)
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CPT Lawrence Cable
COL Randall C. - I haven't had to worry about this stuff for a couple of decades, but the Bod Pod has the reputation of being the most accurate and they are fairly available. Almost any Sports Medicine facility has them locally, as does at least one of the local university hospitals. A number of weight lose clinic and high end fitness centers, but I haven't looked into the acceptable sources for body fat measurements in the Army these day.
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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.
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.
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SPC (Join to see) 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.
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