What is the Army Body Composition Program (ABCP) and why is it important?
The Army Body Composition Program (ABCP) is a program that regulates the body fat standards for all Soldiers in the U.S. Army, including the Active Army, the Army National Guard, and the Army Reserve. The ABCP aims to ensure that all Soldiers achieve and maintain optimal well-being and performance under all conditions. The ABCP is covered in Army Regulation (AR) 600-9, which was revised in July 2019 to incorporate the latest scientific findings and best practices.
The ABCP is important because it reflects the Army’s commitment to readiness, resilience, and health. Excess body fat can impair a Soldier’s ability to perform physical tasks, increase the risk of injury and illness, and reduce mental alertness and stamina. On the other hand, maintaining a healthy body composition can enhance a Soldier’s physical fitness, operational effectiveness, and longevity. Therefore, the ABCP is not only a matter of appearance or compliance, but also a matter of professional responsibility and duty.
How does the ABCP work and what are the requirements?
The ABCP works by assessing the body fat percentage of Soldiers using a circumference-based tape test and a supplemental body fat assessment if necessary. The tape test measures the neck and waist circumference for males, and the neck, waist, and hip circumference for females. The supplemental body fat assessment uses a device called a bioelectrical impedance analyzer (BIA), which sends a small electric current through the body and measures the resistance to estimate the body fat percentage. The BIA is only used when the tape test results are questionable or disputed by the Soldier.
The body fat percentage is then compared to the Army body fat standards, which vary by age and gender. The maximum allowable body fat percentage for males is 20% for ages 17-20, 22% for ages 21-27, 24% for ages 28-39, and 26% for ages 40 and above. The maximum allowable body fat percentage for females is 30% for ages 17-20, 32% for ages 21-27, 34% for ages 28-39, and 36% for ages 40 and above.
However, there is an exception to the body fat assessment for Soldiers who score 540 or higher on the record Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), with a minimum of 80 points in each event. The ACFT is a six-event test that measures the Soldier’s strength, power, endurance, agility, and mobility. The ACFT events are the three repetition maximum deadlift, the standing power throw, the hand-release push-up, the sprint-drag-carry, the plank, and the two-mile run. Soldiers who meet this exception are exempt from the body fat assessment and are considered to meet the body fat standards.
What happens if a Soldier does not meet the body fat standards?
Soldiers who exceed the Army body fat standards are enrolled in the ABCP and are required to take corrective actions to reduce their body fat and improve their fitness. The corrective actions include:
- Receiving exercise guidance from a master fitness trainer and counseling from a registered dietitian or health provider.
- Following the tenets of the Performance Triad, which are sleep, activity, and nutrition.
- Participating in a monthly body fat assessment and a record ACFT every six months.
- Developing and implementing a personalized action plan with the help of their commander and supervisor.
- Accessing additional resources such as the Army Wellness Center and the online U.S. Army Public Health Center Technical Guide 358.
Soldiers who are enrolled in the ABCP are also subject to certain administrative actions that may affect their career progression and retention. For example, they are not eligible for promotion, reenlistment, or attendance to professional military education courses until they meet the body fat standards. They may also receive a bar to continued service or be separated from the Army if they fail to make satisfactory progress or show unsatisfactory performance or conduct.
How can Soldiers prepare for the ABCP and maintain a healthy body composition?
Soldiers can prepare for the ABCP and maintain a healthy body composition by adopting a balanced and sustainable lifestyle that incorporates the following elements:
- Getting enough quality sleep, which is essential for recovery, performance, and health. The recommended amount of sleep for adults is 7 to 8 hours per night.
- Engaging in regular physical activity, which can improve cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, body composition, and mental well-being. The recommended amount of physical activity for adults is at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise per week, plus two or more days of muscle-strengthening activities.
- Eating a nutritious and varied diet, which can provide the energy and nutrients needed for optimal function and health. The recommended dietary pattern for adults is based on the Healthy Eating Plate, which consists of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy fats, lean protein, and water.
- Avoiding or limiting the intake of alcohol, tobacco, and other substances that can impair performance, health, and judgment. The recommended limit for alcohol consumption for adults is no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. The recommended goal for tobacco use is to quit or seek help to quit.
Conclusion
The Army Body Composition Program (ABCP) is a vital program that ensures the readiness, resilience, and health of the Army Force. The ABCP sets the body fat standards for all Soldiers and provides them with the resources and support they need to achieve and maintain a healthy body composition. The ABCP also holds Soldiers accountable for their professional responsibility and duty to meet the body fat standards. Soldiers can prepare for the ABCP and maintain a healthy body composition by following the tenets of the Performance Triad, which are sleep, activity, and nutrition. By doing so, Soldiers can enhance their physical fitness, operational effectiveness, and longevity.