Army Fitness & Policy Blog
AR 600-9 updates, body composition standards, tape test guidance, ACFT exemptions, and fitness tips for Soldiers.
AR 600-9 Tape Test Rounding Rules: How to Measure Correctly
Learn how AR 600-9 tape test measurements are taken, how rounding works in real units, and how to avoid common mistakes before height and weight.
The AR 600-9 One-Site Tape Test (Rescinded July 2026)
The one-site tape test was rescinded July 7, 2026 and replaced by waist-to-height ratio. This guide explains how the old method worked and what replaced it.
7 Tips to Prepare for Your Next Height and Weight Screening
Height and weight doesn't have to be stressful. Follow these 7 tips to ensure you're within standards on the big day.
The ACFT/AFT 465 Body Fat Exemption Has Been Removed
The ACFT/AFT 465 body fat exemption described in earlier guidance no longer exists. Army Directive 2026-13 decoupled fitness test scores from body composition entirely. Here is what changed.
Army Body Fat Standards by Age and Gender
Body fat standards aren't one-size-fits-all. See the exact percentage you need to maintain based on your age and gender.
The Psychology of the Tape Test: Managing Stress and Anxiety
Height and weight can be a source of significant stress. Learn how to manage the mental aspect of the ABCP screening.
Army Body Fat Calculator: 2024 Standards Guide
Navigate the 2024 Army body fat standards with our calculator guide. Learn how the new one-site tape test affects your career.
Army National Guard Body Fat Calculator Standards
National Guard Soldiers face unique challenges in maintaining body composition. Learn how the Army body fat standards apply to you.
Female Army Body Fat Calculator Standards
Detailed guide on the female Army body fat calculator and height/weight standards, including the new 2024 one-site method.
Army ACFT Height and Weight Calculator: The 465 Exemption
Understand how the Army ACFT height and weight calculator works with the new performance-based body fat exemptions.
How to Calculate Army Body Fat Percentage
Learn exactly how to calculate army body fat percentage using the new official formula and tape test methods.
Army Body Fat Calculator Guide & Standards
Learn how the Army Body Fat Calculator works under AR 600-9, when screening weight triggers taping, what to measure, and how exemptions can apply.
US Army Height and Weight Standards: What Changed July 7, 2026
The AR 600-9 height/weight screening tables and body fat limits were rescinded July 7, 2026. Here is what replaced them, plus the old tables for historical reference.
AR 600-9 Calculator: How Soldiers Use It Before Weigh-In
Learn how to use an AR 600-9 calculator before weigh-in, what numbers matter most, and how to avoid tape-day surprises.
Army Standards Calculator: What Triggers the Tape Test?
Understand how an Army height and weight standards calculator works, what triggers the tape test, and how to check your status before weigh-in.
Army H&W Calculator for Recruits Before MEPS
Use an Army Height and Weight Calculator before MEPS to understand screening weight, tape-test risk, and the most common enlistment mistakes.
Army Tape Test Calculator: Waist Mistakes That Matter
Learn the most common waist measurement mistakes that affect Army tape test calculator results and understand how AR 600-9 technique changes the outcome.
How to Meet the Army WHtR Standard (The Tape Test Is Gone)
The Army tape test was rescinded July 7, 2026. Here is how the current waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) standard works, how to measure correctly, and how to plan ahead: no cutting tricks.
What Changed in the Army Height and Weight Standards on July 7, 2026
Army Directive 2026-13 rescinded the height/weight tables and tape test on July 7, 2026. See exactly what changed, the full timeline back to 2023, and what to do before the 90-day recording deadline.
AR 600-9 Explained: The Army Body Composition Program (2026)
AR 600-9 governs the Army Body Composition Program. Here's what changed under Army Directive 2026-13 on July 7, 2026, what the regulation's chapters actually cover, and what's still required of every Soldier today.
Best Tape Measure for Waist Measurement (Army WHtR Standard)
What actually makes a tape measure accurate enough for the Army's 0.550 WHtR boundary, four tape types compared honestly, and the exact math showing how much a stretched tape can cost you.
How to Measure Your Waist Accurately (Alone or With Help)
Correct tape placement, breathing, and tension for an accurate Army WHtR measurement, done alone or with a battle buddy, plus the most common technique errors that quietly skew a result.