The focus of the Army Body Composition program is to have an effective, accurate assessment of the holistic health and fitness of our Force while providing Soldiers with the resources they need to improve and preserve individual and unit readiness. The primary objective of the ABCP is to ensure that all Soldiers achieve and maintain optimal well-being and performance under all conditions. Soldiers who exceed Army body fat standards will be enrolled in the program, during which they will receive exercise guidance from a master fitness trainer and counseling from a registered dietitian or health care provider. 

On Dec. 18, 2025, the Under Secretary of War issued new guidance on military fitness standards to restore the warrior ethos and improve force readiness. In response, the Army replaced its legacy height and weight tables with the Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) as the Army’s official body composition screening method. 

The Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) is the new body composition assessment method, which aligns the program with medically validated health standards. This method supports the Army’s goal of maintaining a healthy and ready force. 

Under the new policy, all Soldiers will undergo a WHtR assessment twice per calendar year. A ratio of less than 0.55 is the new benchmark for compliance. The implementation of this assessment measures a Soldiers’ waistline at the navel (belly button) and divides that measurement by their height in inches, which produces the ratio for record. The Army will conduct an 180-day assessment of the new WHtR to validate accuracy and determine if adjustments are needed.   

Soldiers whose WHtR is 0.55 or greater will receive a confirmation test by another team on the same duty day to verify accuracy. If a Soldier fails the WHtR assessment, placement in the Army Body Composition program will follow to begin the process for compliance.  

No AFT score exempts a Soldier from meeting the WHtR standard. AD 2025-17 is rescinded.