In this op-ed, the author argues the Army’s outdated body composition policies are quietly eroding the readiness, health and performance of the force. (Pfc. Lilliana Fraser/Army) ...

The Army's primary screening tool, the height and weight tables in AR 600-9, is rooted in BMI. Soldiers who exceed these limits undergo body fat assessment via the tape test. In 2023, the Army ...

The default method of ensuring troops are within height and weight standards is the tape test — a simple and inexpensive way of measuring body fat circumference at key points and calculating ...