The height and weight screening tables are gone and so is the tape test. Army Directive 2026-13 makes waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) the sole authorized body composition measurement, and the standard is a WHtR below 0.55 — measure your waist, divide by your height, in the same units. A Soldier at 0.55 or above is flagged and enrolled in the ABCP. No Army Fitness Test score exempts you any more; the directive rescinds the score-based exemption outright.
| Branch | Controlling publication | Dated | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Army | ARMY DIR 2026-13 Current Controlling: WHtR is the sole standard | 2026-07-01 | Official link |
| Army | AR 600-9 Current Still governs enrollment and administrative actions ⚠ partly amended by ARMY DIR 2026-13, ARMY DIR 2025-18 | 2019-07-16 | Official link |
Stop looking for your row on a height and weight chart: WHtR is the sole authorized standard, the screening tables are discontinued, the standard is a ratio below 0.55, and it is taken at least twice a calendar year.
“a. WHtR is the Only Authorized ABCP St andard. The WHtR is adopted as the sole measurement for all Soldiers. The use of height and weight screening tabl es is discontinued. (1) No secondary or supplemental body composition met hods (such as the circumference-based tape test or other body fat assessments) are authoriz ed for the purpose of challenging the results of the WHtR. (2) All Soldiers will have their WHtR m easured at least twice per calendar year. (3) The standard is a WHtR of less than and not equal to 0.55. SUBJECT: Army Directive 2026-13 (Army B ody Composition Program and Standards) (4) If it is determined that the Soldier’s initial WHtR does not meet the standard, a confirmation measurement will be conducted on the same duty da y by a team other than the one that took the initial set of measurements. This must occur before any actions are taken by the commander. (5) A”… (paragraph continues in the PDF)
The circumference-based tape test is not an alternative or a second chance — no supplemental body fat method is authorized for challenging a WHtR result.
“2. Purpose. This directive consolidates and implem ents modifications to the Army Body Composition Program (ABCP), supers eding policy in previous dire ctives and regulations. This update introduces the waist-to-h eight ratio (WHtR) health ri sk assessment tool as the ABCP measurement standard.”
A ratio of 0.55 or greater means enrollment in the ABCP and a flag, after which an active-component commander must request a medical examination to rule out an underlying cause.
“b. ABCP Implementation. (1) The requirement for commanders to designate a non-commissioned officer for ABCP administration is hereby rescinded. Co mmanders are directly responsible for the oversight, quality control, and execution of the body composition program within their unit. (2) Soldiers are enrolled in the ABCP if they have a WHtR of 0.55 or greater. (3) Flag code K (Noncompliance with Army Body Composition Program) remains non- transferable. Army Regulation (AR) 600–8–2 is he reby amended to rescind all ABCP transfer provisions. General flagging inst ructions outlined in paragraph 2–2 of the regulation continue to apply. (4) RA/Active Guard Reserve (AGR). Fo llowing a Soldier’s enrollment in the ABCP, the commander will request a medical examin ation to verify that no underlying medical condition may be the direct cause of weight gain or be the direct cause of inability to meet”… (paragraph continues in the PDF)
If you are relying on a high AFT or ACFT score to skip the measurement, that exemption no longer exists — the directive rescinds both the score-based body fat standard and the earlier ACFT exemption.
“d. Army Directive (AD) 2025-18 (Appearan ce, Grooming, and Army Body Composition Program Standards), 12 September 2 025 (hereby superseded, in part) e. AD 2025-17 (Army Body Fat Standard for Army Fitness Test Scor e), 4 September 2025 (hereby rescinded) f. AD 2023-11 (Army Body Fat Assessment for the Army Body Composition Program), 9 June 2023 (hereby rescinded) g. AD 2023-08 (Army Body Fat Assessment Exempti on for Army Combat Fitness Test Score), 15 March 2023 (hereby rescinded)”
The policy is effective immediately and controlling where it conflicts with other Army regulations, and it reaches the Regular Army, Guard and Reserve, West Point and ROTC cadets, retention actions and school courses.
“3. Applicability. The provisions of this dire ctive apply to the Regular Army (RA), Army National Guard (ARNG)/Army National Guard of the United States (ARNGUS), and U.S. Army Reserve (USAR). 4. Background. To enhance Soldier readiness, a lign with medically validated health standards and comply with Secretary of War guidance, the Army is updating its body composition policy. This change is part of a broader Department of War initiative to implement a more streamlined, consistent, and fair standard across the Joint Fo rce. The new policy embo dies the whole-Soldier concept, improves talent manageme nt, and ensures all Soldiers ma intain a high level of physical readiness while promoting long-term health. 5. Policy. Effective immediat ely, the following policy governs the ABCP. This policy is not retroactive, and where it conflicts with other Army directives or regulations, this”… (paragraph continues in the PDF)
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Updated 2026-08-03. CheckMyRegs is an unofficial index — always cite the official publication.