The Army Body Composition Program (ABCP) uses a tape test to estimate a soldier’s body fat percentage, measuring physical readiness beyond simple weight. This measurement ensures soldiers maintain a composition that supports the physical demands of military service. The test is administered when a soldier exceeds the maximum allowable weight for their height to determine body composition compliance. The Army recently streamlined this test into a single-site measurement for all personnel, replacing the previous multi-site method.
Preparation and Required Materials
Executing the test requires specific materials and a controlled environment to ensure accuracy. The measurement tool must be a flexible, non-stretchable tape measure, preferably made of fiberglass, designed to conform to the body’s contours without yielding. The soldier must wear the standard Army physical training uniform—a T-shirt and shorts—without shoes, and any restrictive undergarments are prohibited.
The test must be administered by certified non-commissioned officers (NCOs) or commissioned officers trained in circumference measurement techniques. A two-person team is required: one individual places the tape and reads the measurement, and the other serves as an observer and recorder on the official Department of the Army form. The measuring area should be private and temperature-controlled to prevent environmental factors that could skew the results.
Measurement Procedure for Male Soldiers
The current authorized circumference-based method for all soldiers involves measuring only the abdominal circumference at a single anatomical landmark. For male soldiers, this measurement is taken at the level of the navel, or umbilicus. The soldier stands upright with their arms relaxed at their sides, their feet placed hip-width apart, and their abdomen completely relaxed.
The certified measurer places the tape measure horizontally around the abdomen, ensuring it is snug against the skin without compressing the underlying soft tissue. The measurement must be taken at the end of the soldier’s normal, relaxed exhalation for a consistent reading of the circumference. This process is repeated to obtain a total of three separate measurements, which are recorded to the nearest half-inch.
Measurement Procedure for Female Soldiers
Although the physical site is the same as for male soldiers, the administrative requirements for measuring female soldiers have specific considerations to maintain professionalism and comfort. Current regulation requires that the soldier be measured by an individual of the same gender. If a certified female measurer is unavailable, a female observer must be present during the measurement process.
The measurement focuses solely on the abdominal circumference, taken horizontally at the level of the navel, just as with male soldiers. The tape must rest on the skin without compressing the fatty tissue layer. After three separate measurements are collected, the measurer and recorder will compare the readings to determine the final value used for calculation. The single-site test simplifies the process significantly compared to the previous multi-site method, which required measuring the neck, natural waist, and hips.
Calculating Body Fat Percentage
Once the three abdominal circumference measurements are recorded, the final circumference value is determined by averaging the two closest readings. If the three initial measurements are all more than one inch apart, a fourth measurement is taken, and the closest two of the four are averaged to the nearest half-inch. This final, averaged circumference is the primary input for the calculation.
The final body fat percentage is determined using the official Army Body Fat Calculator or look-up tables. The inputs for this tool are the soldier’s sex, age, body weight, and the final averaged abdominal circumference. The calculator provides an estimated body fat percentage, which is compared against the maximum allowable standards set by the Army (e.g., 20% for males aged 17–20 and 30% for females in the same age group). Soldiers who fail to meet the standard are enrolled in the Army Body Composition Program, but those who score 540 or higher on the Army Combat Fitness Test are exempt from this assessment entirely.