Army Tape Test Dilemma Paper

The Army Tape Test Dilemma In todays and yesterdays United States Army, the physical fitness and optimal health standards of an individual are key to being a successful Soldier. Every Soldier has to maintain at least the minimum levels of these elements in order to effectively be able to engage the enemy in combat. We measure a Soldier’s level of fitness using the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) and the Soldier’s overall health in weight and body composition using the Army Body Composition Program (ABCP) standards prescribed per regulation. The APFT is currently going through its own process of revisions and additions with including the Occupation Physical Assessment Test. The ABCP, though newly revised, utilizes a lot of old methodologies

Army Regulation 600-9 (The Army Body Composition Program) is a revised United States Army weight control program that allows commanders to accurately gauge their Soldier’s overall level of readiness. The idea of the ABCP is that lack of proper weight or body composition is an indicator of poor levels of fitness, endurance, and overall levels of health. Individuals with deemed acceptable levels of body fat generally exhibit increased muscular strength and endurance, become less likely to be susceptible to combat or training related injuries, and overall perform at a higher level. (Deputy Chief of Staff, 2013). Within this regulation, any individual that exceeds their max allowable weight are subject to undergo body fat assessment utilizing the tape test. The problem is the tape test is an older, more inaccurate method of determining an individual’s actual body fat

military use this method as it is deemed the most inexpensive and expedient method of determining an individual’s body fat. The only caveat that is given is that, if performed correctly, should be within a 1 percent margin. It is also easy to train several leaders in the administration of this technique. This allows for Noncommissioned officers (NCO) at the lowest level to be able to measure a Soldier with ease. There have been many complaints from Soldiers of all ranks concerning this test. Besides being widely considered inaccurate and being specific guidance in the regulation, some claim the test is not administered the same way throughout the Army. Soldier’s often complain about their leaders interpreting the regulation differently than the next leader. Many more often than not preach this when Soldiers go to and return from professional development schools. The schools are considered stricter than the implementation in the rest of the