Reference

Maintaining an appropriate body fat percentage is a medical fitness requirement for joining and remaining in the U.S. Army. The Department of Defense periodically updates its body fat standards, and in 2021, Army leaders conducted a study analyzing the relationship between Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) scores and body composition. The findings revealed that soldiers with higher body fat percentages tended to score lower on the ACFT. As a result, on June 12, 2023, the Army implemented updates to the Army Body Fat Assessment under the Army Body Composition Program (ABCP) to enhance force readiness by ensuring soldiers maintain optimal physical fitness.

These standards apply to the Regular Army, Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States, and U.S. Army Reserve. Soldiers who achieve a minimum ACFT score of 540 (with at least 80 points in each event) are exempt from body fat assessments. For non-exempt personnel, the following maximum allowable body fat percentages apply:

Maximum Allowable Body Fat Standards

Age	Male	Female
17–20	20%	30%
21–27	22%	32%
28–39	24%	34%
40+	26%	36%

The Army Body Fat Assessment uses a one-site circumference-based tape method, measuring abdominal circumference (at the navel) and body weight. Measurements should be taken as follows:

• The soldier stands upright with arms relaxed.
• Abdominal circumference is the average of three measurements, rounded to the nearest 0.5 inch.
• Body weight is rounded to the nearest pound.

These values are then entered into an approved calculator to determine body fat percentage.

If a soldier fails the tape test, they may request a supplemental body fat assessment (if available), which includes:

• Dual X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA)
• InBody 770 Body Composition and Body Water Analyzer
• Bod Pod Body Composition Tracking System

Soldiers who do not request supplemental testing or who fail the supplemental assessment remain flagged and are enrolled in the Army Body Composition Program (ABCP).