https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN38535-ARMY_DIR_2023-11-000-WEB-1.pdf
S E C R E T A R Y O F T H E A R M Y
W A S H I N G T O N
MEMORANDUM FOR SEE DISTRIBUTION
SUBJECT: Army Directive 2023-11 (Army Body Fat Assessment for the Army Body
Composition Program)
1. References.
a. Department of Defense (DoD) Instruction 1308.3 (DoD Physical Fitness/Body Fat
Program Procedures), 10 May 2022
b. Army Regulation (AR) 350–1 (Army Training and Leader Development),
10 December 2017
c. AR 600–8–2 (Suspension of Favorable Personnel Actions (Flag)), 5 April 2021
d. AR 600–9 (The Army Body Composition Program), 16 July 2019
2. Purpose. This directive implements modifications to the Army Body Composition
Program (ABCP) that address findings from scientific assessments of the current
program.
3. Applicability. The provisions of this directive apply to the Regular Army, Army
National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States, and U.S. Army Reserve.
4. Background. DoD authorized the U.S. Army to review methods to implement
revisions to the ABCP that embody the whole Soldier concept and improve talent
management. This directive announces changes to the ABCP to ensure all Army
Soldiers maintain a level of physical readiness necessary to perform their duties.
5. Policy. The following policy applies to all Soldiers, all cadets of the United States
Military Academy (USMA) and Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (SROTC), all
retention actions, and all military schools and institutional training courses (see
reference 1b for graduation requirements).
a. The only U.S. Army-authorized methods of estimating body fat are the multi-site
circumference-based tape method, as prescribed in appendix B of AR 600–9; the one-
site circumference-based tape method; and the supplemental body fat assessment.
Christine E. Wormuth
SUBJECT: Army Directive 2023-11 (Army Body Fat Assessment for the Army Body
Composition Program)
b. The one-site circumference-based tape method will be phased in over the next
year. During the 12-month period extending from the date of this directive, Soldiers who
require a circumference-based tape test will take the one-site tape test. Those who fail
the one-site tape method are authorized to be measured by the multi-site
circumference-based tape method, as prescribed in AR 600–9, for their confirmation
tape test. After 12 months from the date of this directive, the one-site tape test will be
the only authorized circumference-based tape method.
c. 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. Commanders of Soldiers who do not request a supplemental
body fat assessment or who fail the supplemental body fat assessment will maintain the
original flagging action, and the Soldier will be enrolled in the ABCP.
6. Delegation. The authority to determine whether the supplemental body fat
assessment testing is reasonably available is delegated to the commanders of Army
commands, Army service component commands, and direct reporting units; the Chief,
National Guard Bureau; and the Chief of Army Reserve. This authority may be further
delegated.
7. Proponent. The Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs)
has oversight responsibility for this policy. The Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1 will publish
implementing guidance and incorporate the provisions of this policy into AR 600–9
within 2 years of the date of this directive. The Deputy of Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7 will
incorporate the relevant provisions of this policy into AR 350–1 within 2 years of the
date of this directive.
8. Duration. This directive is rescinded on publication of the revised regulation.
DISTRIBUTION:
Principal Officials of Headquarters, Department of the Army
Commander
U.S. Army Forces Command
U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command
U.S. Army Materiel Command
(CONT)
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SUBJECT: Army Directive 2023-11 (Army Body Fat Assessment for the Army Body
Composition Program)
DISTRIBUTION: (CONT)
U.S. Army Futures Command
U.S. Army Pacific
U.S. Army Europe and Africa
U.S. Army Central
U.S. Army North
U.S. Army South
U.S. Army Special Operations Command
Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command
U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Strategic Command
U.S. Army Cyber Command
U.S. Army Medical Command
U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
U.S. Army Military District of Washington
U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command
U.S. Army Human Resources Command
U.S. Army Corrections Command
Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy
Commandant, U.S. Army War College
Director, U.S. Army Civilian Human Resources Agency
Executive Director, Military Postal Service Agency
Director, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division
Director, Civilian Protection Center of Excellence
Superintendent, Arlington National Cemetery
Director, U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center
CF:
Principal Cyber Advisor
Director of Business Transformation
Commander, Eighth Army
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