ABCP AR 600-9

Question 1

What are the primary and secondary objectives of the Army Body Composition Program (ABCP)?

Answer 1

Primary—to ensure all Soldiers achieve and maintain optimal well-being and performance under all conditions

Question 2

Soldiers must maintain a high level of physical readiness in order to meet mission requirements—how does Body composition contribute to mission requirements? (2-1)

Answer 2

Body composition is one indicator of physical readiness that is associated with an individual’s fitness, endurance, and overall health—individuals with desirable body fat percentages generally exhibit increased muscular strength and endurance, are less likely to sustain injury from weight bearing activity, and are more likely to perform at an optimal level

Question 3

What actions are required when a Soldier is determined to be exceeding the body fat standard?
(3-6a,b,c)

Answer 3

(a) Notification counseling—the commander has 3 working days to Flag the Soldier
(b) Soldier Action Plan—within 14 days of the notification counseling
(c) Nutrition counseling—the Soldier has 30 days after enrollment in the ABCP to meet with a dietitian (or health care provider, if a dietitian is not available) to receive nutrition counseling.

Question 4

Soldiers who exceed body fat standards will be enrolled in the unit Army Body Composition Program (ABCP) on the day (start date) that the Soldier is notified by the unit commander (or designee) that he or she has been entered in the program—what occurs while the Soldier is enrolled? (3-5b)

Answer 4

(a) Soldiers will be provided exercise guidance by the unit master fitness trainer and/or unit fitness training NCO in accordance with FM 7–22
(b) Nutrition counseling by registered dietitian (or health care provider, if a dietitian is not available)
(c) Assistance in behavioral modification, as appropriate, to help them attain the requirements of the Army

Question 5

In order to ensure the Army Body Composition Program (ABCP) does not interfere with Soldier performance on the APFT, commanders and supervisors are encouraged to allow a minimum of 7 days between APFT and weigh-in, if feasible—why is this encouraged?
(3-4b)

Answer 5

Some Soldiers that are close to exceeding the screening weight may attempt to lose weight quickly in the days leading up to a weigh-in. This practice may result in the Soldier being unable to perform his or her best on the APFT, if the two events are scheduled close together

Question 6

Which Soldiers are exempt from the Army Body Composition Program (ABCP); however, they must maintain a Soldierly appearance? (3-3)

Answer 6

(1) Soldiers with major limb loss.
(2) Soldiers on established continued on active duty and/or continued on active Reserve status
(3) Pregnant and postpartum Soldiers
(4) Soldiers who have undergone prolonged hospitalization for 30 continuous days or greater
(5) New recruits. These recruits, regardless of component, will have 180 days from entry to active service to meet the retention body fat standards established in this regulation.