The Army Weight Control Program ensures every soldier is healthy, physically fit and combat ready. The program requires you to meet specific weight standards, which are based on height, weight and gender. Under the AWCP, you will be required to weigh-in at least once every six months.

Currently, the tape test listed in Army Regulation 600-9 requires testers to measure female soldiers at the neck, waist and hip. Testers measure male soldiers at the neck and waist.

The military tape test is the official method used to estimate body fat for military officers. The test must be administered to all soldiers at least once every six months to ensure they meet the required standards.

Place the tape around the hips so that it passes over the greatest protrusion of the gluteal muscles (buttocks) keeping the tape in a horizontal plane (parallel to the floor). Check front to back and side to side to be sure the tape is level to the floor on all sides before the measurements are recorded.

The maximum allowable percentage of body fat for men ranges from 18 to 26 percent depending on service and age, while for women it ranges from 26 to 34 percent (See Table 2-3). Each of the services screens active duty personnel either annually or semiannually for fitness and compliance with weight-for-height standards.

What is the military diet? The military diet, also called the 3-day diet, is a short-term, rapid weight loss diet that claims to help you lose up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) in a week. The diet plan involves a 3-day, calorie-restricted meal plan followed by 4 days off.

Soldiers will be measured by two trained individuals of the same gender. If a trained individual of the same gender is not available to conduct the measurements, a female Soldier will be present when a male Soldier measures a female, and a male Soldier will be present when a female measures a male.