Chapter 18: Failure to Meet Body Fat Standards

 

Soldiers who fail to meet the body fat standards set forth in AR 600-9 are subject to separation UP of this chapter when such condition is the sole basis for the separation. Soldiers who have been diagnosed by health care personnel as having a medical condition preventing them from participating in the Army body fat reduction program will not be separated under this chapter. IAW AR 600-9 and IAW AR 635-200, a commander may separate a soldier who is in the weight control program under the following circumstances:

  1. Failure to make satisfactory progress after any two consecutive monthly weigh-ins while enrolled in the Army Weight Control Program (AR 635-200, para 18-2a(2)).
  2. If no medical condition exists, initiation of separation proceedings is required for soldiers who do not make satisfactory progress in the program after a period of 6 months, unless the responsible commander chooses to impose a bar to reenlistment per AR 635-200, para 18-2a(2).
  3. Initiation of separation proceedings is required for soldiers who fail to meet screening table weight and body fat standards during the 24-month period following removal from the weight control program, provided no medical conditions exist (para 18-2a(3)).
  4. Soldiers without medical limitations who exceed the screening table weight and body fat standards after the 12 month period but prior to 36 months following removal from the program, and who do not meet the standards during the 90-day grace period prescribed by AR 600-9, will be processed for separation.

1-16 Counseling Required:

No (1-16a)

Medical Required:

Yes (1-32a)

Mental Required:

No (1-32b)

Approval Authority:

Bn Cdr (1-19d)

Type of discharge authorized:

Honorable (18-2e)

Below is a proposed course of action for those commanders who identify a soldier who is overweight:

  1. Soldier is weighed and exceeds the screening table weight (pg 7, AR 600-9) and taped and exceeds the body fat standard (pg 4, AR 600-9 as amended in IC 1, 4 Mar 94).
  2. Commander initiates flag. The commander enrolls the soldier into the overweight program and informs the soldier using the memorandum format. When the soldier acknowledges receipt of the memorandum, the clock starts for the purposes of chapter action.
  3. Commander refers the soldier to the nutritionist for nutritional counseling and proper weight-loss counseling. This is done by memorandum and must take place as soon as the soldier is enrolled in the program.
  4. Commander refers the soldier to the TMC for medical screening to determine if there is a medical condition which will preclude the soldier from losing weight. This is also done by memorandum and also must take place as soon as possible after the soldier has been enrolled in the program.
  5. Conduct monthly weight-ins. If the soldier shows no improvement in any two consecutive monthly weigh-ins, initiate separation. If after six months, the commander determines that the soldier has not shown adequate improvement, the commander can either impose a bar to reenlistment or can initiate separation.
  6. If the soldier meets the body fat standard and the screening table weight table as prescribed in AR 600-9, remove the soldier from the overweight program. This removal is accomplished through a memorandum and should be kept on file in the unit for the next 36 months.

 

Documents Required for Chapter:

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