Yes , I'm Sergeant first class will
rainier and I'll be moderating today's
discussion on the army body composition
study and policies related to the
findings and recommendations of that
study with us . Today is Sergeant Major
of the army Michael Greenstone ,
joining him from the U S Army Research
Institute of Environmental Medicine ,
Miss Holly , nutrition , physiologist
and the military Performance division .
And Dr Katie Taylor , who is an
epidemiologist also in the research
epidemiologist in the military
performance division . These are big
words you're asking me to say by the
way , both our lead researchers , these
are the two lead researchers for that
body composition study and also joining
us , Sergeant Major , Christopher
Stevens , the army G one sergeant major .
Thank you all for joining us today . So
estimate it's been a big week . We have
launched to be all you can be earlier .
Uh Today you are on the hill testifying
and now you're here with us . So thank
you very much for that . Let's get one
thing out of the way . Uh We're gonna
take questions at the end by the way ,
but I think I already have the number
one question we'll ask it now . Always
give it to them . They're not gonna be
any changes to the grooming standards
announced during this live stream . Uh
So with that , let's talk about the
army body composition study and , and
if you could estimate , just give us a
little bit of background of where ,
where we started and , and how this
came about . Uh First , I'd say thanks
for everybody that's tuning in and the
few people in the audience , thanks for
being here . And more importantly , I
want to thank Ali and Katie for their
continued efforts and all that they've
done . It's been a um sometimes it
feels like labor of love , but they've
done an incredible job um doing a hard
research and one of the best
comprehensive research we've had um
since I've been in the army , probably
in the history of the army on this , on
this topic . And I want to publicly
thank you both . Uh Thanks for being
great teammates and good scientists .
Um So how did we get here ? You know ,
it was fascinating because I can be a
little stubborn sometimes . So I said a
lot of times I heard , you know , hey ,
what about the army body composition ?
What about the army of decomposition ?
We need to do it , we need to do it . I
said no at first , um I don't think I
was hearing the right question . Maybe
the question was , um you know , do we
want to get , you know , more body fat
and the real question is , do we have
the tape test ? Right . Do we have um
uh is it done the right way ? Is there
more that we can do ? So when I finally
heard the right question , um we talked
to the scientists actually talked to
the use . Siri , um um and the person
that actually did the last study , who
was there still there , they convinced
me that we need to do another study .
So the last study was done in 2001 .
And um I think it was the right thing
to do . And I asked for you , Siri um
to look at that and I'm really proud of
what we've done the last two years . So
I really appreciate it and that's it .
So Mr tell us a little bit about what
the , what that entailed there at the
very beginning . What we're kind of the
goals of the study . How did you get
involved in ? What were those things
that you started looking at ? Sure . So ,
you know , this was really a
collaborative project between the
Center for initial military Training
and use Ethereum . And when I was asked
to step up and um take answer the call ,
we wanted to design the study that
really would provide information to the
army , senior leaders and the policy
makers um to decide if there needed to
be updates . So what kind of data
driven results um would lead to
answering the questions if the body
composition whether it's how the
measurements are taken um or the
measurement um standard themselves as
it relates to physical performance .
And so , um in designing and
implementing a study , um you know ,
there's a couple pieces that are
important . First being the techniques
that we were going to look at in the
field . So , of course , we wanted to
look at what we're currently doing um
the tape test . So we asked
participants in the study to be taped .
Um Similarly , all men and women that
volunteered um would be taped at the
neck , the waste , um the abdomen and
the hips and um we know the accuracy
for that . Um And we're , and the
soldiers were very familiar . So then
we asked them to go on and look at some
modern technology . So using the by
electrical impedance analysis , we used
a research grade instrument . Um and
what this does is look at how quickly
an electrical current moves from one
side of your body to the other . Um
taking into consideration your total
body water and it estimates your body
fat . This has a little bit of a higher
price tag . Um The accuracy is a little
bit um a little bit better but still
similar to the tape . Um And , and ,
and give us some information to kind of
consider uh with new technologies .
Then we went on to a newer method , a
three D total body surface scan . And
so this is kind of neat . Um and that
we just asked the soldiers to have some
form fitting clothing on spandex sports
bras . And in 90 seconds took a scan of
the soldiers um uh total body . So
it kind of gave us some an image and
also over 200 measurements of
circumference is and lengths , which
gives us a lot of data that Katie will
share in a little bit um to kind of
consider if this was a good technology ,
if not . Um What , what , what else
could we do um to make maybe a better
recommendation if we needed to make
updates . Um And then finally , we
looked at the decks a which is the
state of the science , probably the
most accurate method of measuring
percent body fat . Um It's a little bit
more invasive that requires radiation
and it has a pretty expensive um price
tag , but it gave us a gold standard to
measure everything else against . So
that was kind of how we knew what the
truth was in terms of percent body fat .
So just as important as the techniques
and the tools was what um demographics
or what our pa population was gonna
look like . And so if we wanted to make
recommendations that covered the entire
army , we needed to take a look at how
we were going to go out and sample
because we knew that in the short time
period that we had to report back to
the S M A , we weren't gonna be able to
measure every soldier . So how do we
make a snapshot of what the army looks
like ? And so that's when , um , I
pulled in my colleague , Katie and
asked her as an epidemiologist ,
epidemiologist , um , that is
specializes in statistics . How do we
go out and we , um , sample a small
population that mirrors the army that
would allow us to make some
recommendations that would be accurate
for the entire army . So we kind of um
I went to the G one and we asked for ,
hey , can you give us the demographics
of the army for right now , this this
point in time . And from there , we
were able to model exactly how many
soldiers we needed men , women for each
age category in each ethnicity . So
really , that was the hard part and we
couldn't have done it without our
partners at C I M T . They helped us
find the right soldiers so that we were
collecting data um that we felt really
we could get behind and feel confident
was representing the army . Um So from ,
from that point , um I feel very
comfortable that we were able to sample
over sample women , answer questions
that we felt really um needed a good
understanding whether it was body
composition , physical performance , or
even some postpartum questions that
senior leaders had . Um And then also
make sure that we were covering some of
the smaller groups that are in the army
that had um uh percentage composition
less than 10% for example , um An age
group greater than 50 or Asian
Americans . So we wanted to make sure
that we could answer all of those
questions . So I do have to put you on
the spot . SMAI know you participated
in the study of Fort Bragg . I don't
know if you want to share any of your
experiences when you were with my team .
Oh , it was great . Um , uh , so
actually I was , I was just going down
for a visit , like start to bring your
PT gear so that you can be . Um , and
then when they started briefing me ,
like , Okay , sign your waiver , I'm
like , what's going on ? So , no , it
was actually , I was actually really
happy and there's like some measure and
we need over 50 . So I appreciate that .
Um , but , uh , yeah , it was , it was
really good to be a part of the study
and actually go through it . So I went
through every one of those measurements ,
you know , personally I got on what I
call the heartbreaker . Um there were a
lot of bets on what my body fat was
gonna come off the decks by the way .
And Mr McGurk , if you're watching ,
you're wrong . So , um , uh , it said
they were betting that I would be over
20% body fat on the exit . So I was
about 14.7 . Um , and then I went
through all those measurements and the
least body fat that I had actually was
the tape . So , um I scored really well
in the tape test , about 11% body fat
and I know that's not accurate clearly
because the decks had already told me
that . So , uh I was actually really
happy with how it went . Um And , you
know , I was actually glad that I got a
chance to go through that . Thank you .
So , as , as we gathered all this data ,
Holly , uh there were a couple of
conclusions that , that jumped right
out . So , um if you would like to uh
estimate as they presented these to you ,
what we're kind of some of those things
that really jumped out to you , uh
immediately , just very obvious
conclusions . Well , number one was ,
it was , I think still the least
popular . It was that the height weight
tables were good . Um Any questions on
that , let me ask Holly or Katie . So ,
um that was number one because I
thought I really , you know , I'll be
honest , I really thought that the
highway tables we're gonna come in and
said no , you know , they're inaccurate .
I'm this tall and I need to weigh more ,
but that's not what the sign showed .
Um that really , you know , stepped off ,
you know , the page that really , you
know , right there . That was number
one . Um Number two , the inaccuracies
of the tape . I always thought it was
somewhat inaccurate . I just didn't
know , you know , uh , it's not perfect ,
let's say , uh , you know , inaccurate
sometime is not a good measure . But
I'm just thinking that I was surprised
there was going to be a direct
discrepancy . Um , and then last was
there was some inaccuracies , um , to
the detriment of the soldier that
really surprised me . I thought that ,
you know , some of the things I've read
that the tape test would be , you know ,
in favor of all soldiers , you know ,
meaning if I taped you , uh and then
put you on the deck , so you would
always have more body fat on the decks .
It , that's incorrect . And that really
stood out in the , in the information I
was provided that there was a small
group , um a larger group for women
than there were for men , but both men
and women , there was a small group
that were inaccurately flagged because
of the tape , meaning they had less
body fat um on the deck . So than they
did in the tape test that really stood
out for me . So holly , if you would ,
you and k if you want to walk through
some of these findings that we had uh
as that snapshot of the force that you
mentioned , right ? So , um , you know ,
this is kind of one of the first times
that we actually were able to look at
current and , and provide the feedback
and so being able to look at , um , you
know , the current force and know that
50% you're 50% more likely to have a
musculoskeletal injury , um , or be on
a profile from that if you fail the
height for weight or , um , the taping .
So if you fail 600 dash and I , um ,
that's important information for army
senior leaders , its duty time that's
lost . Um , so it kind of kind of helps
solidify the importance of the body
composition um requirements . Um And
also when we are able to draw a direct
relationship between um soldiers that
are performing um higher or getting a
higher total A C F T score have lower
percent body fat . I think that kind of
also draws in the performance link with
body composition and how important
those two are together to be in the
policy . Um And really that we found no
significant differences between Greece
um and ethnicity when we're looking at
um how the , how the body composition
program is working right now . I think
that was important . Um Remember it's
been 20 years , the demographics of the
army has greatly changed . Um So these
are good , good touch points to look at .
Um And as SMA mentioned , you know ,
34% of our soldiers are um
passing the tape test maybe when they
shouldn't . And then there's a group
that are um should be passing and they
aren't . So to kind of be able to look
at all of that and see what we can do
better for the soldier . And I think
looking at all this data and allowing
us to take a closer look is really
helpful . So Sergeant Major Stevens ,
as we look at findings like this , how
does G one take something like that ?
The findings of a study and start to
develop policy around these findings to
and what are the things that go into
those discussions ? Yeah , so I mean ,
the most important thing is , you know ,
like the S M A said , we knew that
there was a population of personnel who
were inaccurately flag , which could
lead to a separation which at the end
of the day , you know , that's talent
that we weren't retaining . Um So
obviously , we were not doing our job
in the G one from a policy standpoint
to ensure that we were building
personnel readiness . Um You know , the
good thing was in October of 2022 based
off the SMS Guidance , the research ,
there was a working group that was put
together um led by the G one lead
policy development office and they came
together with civilian counterparts .
Um Various compost came in for
this commands and other army elements
and they provided input on updating the
program based off the recommendation of
the study and those recommendations
were selected from the working group
and aligned with the the whole soldier
concept and improved overall talent
management for our force S M A when
we're putting together a working group
like that , how important is it to you
to have the right composition of people
in that room 100% . It's the most
important thing . Um and I would say
share this with anybody that ever does
puts together working groups . Um is
once you get the composition the right
way , once you approve it , leave it
alone and then trust what they come
back , you may give a little guidance .
But um if you don't trust the people in
the room , in the working group , you
won't trust the outcomes . So get the
composition in the room , right ? And
then after that , you got to trust the
outcomes . We've done this multiple
times on other policies . And once I
get , you know , the the working group ,
right , then they make recommendations ,
doesn't mean I always agree . Um But I
picked the group . So if I trust them ,
um I also have to trust that they may
come back with something um that I may
not be a fan of , but the most
important thing is pick those right
individuals that you trust . And then
in the , in the end , you just gotta
trust the outcomes . We're already
starting to get a lot of questions .
And I didn't want to pause for one . Uh
the study itself , the findings of the
recommendations is this being packaged
in a way I know we don't have it today .
But um Holly and Katie . Can you talk
about how this is going to be packaged
and released it at some point and where
we are in that process . So we'll be
putting together , um , scientific
reports that are kind of focused on
specific topics . Um , and so they'll ,
they'll be released in the coming
probably months . You know , we're
working on those right now . Is that
just a , getting a peer review of the
administrative process ? What's kind of
the purpose for the delay ? Um Yeah ,
just getting through um administration ,
I think , yeah , we're getting everyone
to sign off and agree . Yeah , and ,
and hopefully Kati will have a little
bit on this too is like , um with any
study , we're gonna make sure we don't
want to put out the study and then
you're , you know , it's like what's
going on with the policy . So please be
patient . We want to get the policy out
and it's not that we don't trust , you
know , the signs and I know everybody
wants to read it , but it's like any
data and any study you will interpret
normally what you want out of it . So
we're a little cautious to make sure ,
give us time to get the army directives
going , get that out and then we'll
publish the study because uh what I've
seen normally is that everybody will go
through the read , what part of that
study they want and then they're like ,
uh um , so uh we are a little cautious
to go ahead and get some of the policy
and directives out before we start ,
you know , picking at the study unless
Katie , you got some . So we're just
saying that we will be going through
the process of peer review . So it'll
be reviewed by our peers to ensure that
the scientific rigor is there as well .
But I think that's a perfect segue
estimate . You talked about this at A U
S A . So if you wouldn't mind , can you
walk us through what the A C F T
exemption specifically is going to be
once it's signed ? Okay . I'll kind of
give a little of the main ways . I know
if some Major Stevens wants to help me
out with a lot of the specifics on the
policy . But the bottom line is what I
said held true . I think that's what
we're going to go for with is if you
score 5 40 on the A C F T um 80 in each
event , then you're exempt from height
and weight . And there's a lot more to
that . Again , I'll let the SAR Major
Stevens go through some of the
specifics and I know everybody's
already saying it's 80 times six does
not equal 5 40 . Okay . So I
acknowledge that . So believe it or not ,
most people will say , um you know , my
favorite comments on Reddit because
someone said so um not exactly true ,
believe or not . That was actually
science . Um And and what , what was
briefed and said when you get to 5 40
you were to be taped , normally you
either passed the tape anyway , or that
small percentage that may be taped
inaccurately were actually in that
group And it was the 540 score itself .
Um , and we added the 80 in each event .
So you wouldn't , you know , it's not
healthy to go all in on the dead lift
and , you know , 60 points on the run .
That's not what we want for the army .
We want well balanced . Um And then why
didn't you go for it ? Because that's
what the science kind of showed us ,
but we didn't want people to game it so
that you'd have a really strong one
area and you wouldn't be well rounded
in fitness overall , which is not
healthy . I don't know if you want to
talk to civics or Katie , you want to
jump on . I just wanted to say that one
of the ways that we looked at the data
was we were interested in finding the
balance between , um , the fact that
fitness um decreases your risk of
injury . And so , um , so doesn't
increased body fat percentage or
increases your increased body fat
percentage increases your risk of
injury . So we wanted to ensure that we
didn't have such a low threshold for
fitness that it wasn't in um , giving a
high protection for muscle skeletal
injury . Um , and not accounting for
the fact that potentially there was a
higher body fat percentage that could
also increased risk . We had to find a
balance between those two things ,
particularly when it came to health .
And then on the specifics on the army
directive on , uh , you know , when my
flag , when can I go to school anything
on that ? Right . Yeah . So S M A , you
know , the most important thing
everyone needs to know is as soon as
the army directive is signed
immediately , that's when it goes into
effect , there's nothing retroactive at
all . So it's immediately that day and
it goes into effect . Um take the A C F
T and it's valid until the next time .
You take the A C F T for regular army
and army guard reserve not to exceed
eight months for army reserve and
national Guardsmen not to exceed 14
months . If you fail to re validate ,
you are subject to a record body fat
assessment and obviously flagging if
you fail that assessment , um a little
more details , you know , so um your R
D A form 705 R A CFT card , you know ,
it will be a box check on there for go .
Um if you do pass the body fat
assessment and then obviously it's
recorded in into D T M S for
evaluations . Same thing you the box
check on there for yes and similar to
what we did um when we could not take a
A PT tester in COVID will have a
specific statement that
would be a very specific verification
code that's in there . And then lastly
like S M A said , I know for everyone ,
you know , the big thing is you know ,
how does this change anything to do
with reenlistments , P M E promotion ?
Anything like that ? Again , the moment
that you score 5 40 80 in each event
that exempts you from a body fat
assessment . Alright , so there is
nothing that that can hold you
unfavorable going forward with those
actions . Alright , so if you go , if
you show up to school , two p.m. E
which are 5 48 in each event , you come
in , you are exempt from being , being
taped . All right . Now if in school ,
if it is a record A CFT And you
do not score 5:40 which with eight in
each event , then you are subject to
being taped and then obviously
subsequent . If you fail that tape ,
flagging action . Thanks . Thank you .
That actually uh answers a question
from sergeant first class Megan Anthony
down at Fort Bragg first SFC . She had
a question about PMS . So thank you for
clarifying that . Um real quick before
we move on from here . Another question
that we got in . Uh I think we just
need to call out Rachel Abram
Ibrahimovic says , when is this going
into effect tis the season ? So when
can we expect this army army directive
to be signed ? Uh we're hopeful in the
next two weeks . It's , it's in the
final um rounds of the Pentagon . So
it's made it to the top floor or the
third floor , whichever one you want to
call it . It's not the top of the
Pentagon . So um and meaning it's got
to get through the Secretary of the
Army . Um and then the last few
reviewers uh device , the secretary and
the undersecretary that and um the
chief once they look out . So that
usually goes very quickly if we've done
our homework with all the working
groups . And I think we've done um
maybe about a week or so . Um I'm
hopeful . Give me two weeks . We said
put me down for that two weeks on the
record . You said six events , 80
points , uh permanent profiles can't
get 80 points in any event . So what
was the discussion there ? Um I'll kind
of leave and I don't know if Katie or
Holly wanna help me out with this , but
it really kind of goes back with what
she was saying . It's , it's all about
body fat and then uh that 5 40 of the
score , it isn't so you can be exempt
for the uh the height and weight . It's
that normally that score you're gonna
be within tolerance and we don't want
you to have muscular skeletal injuries
along the way and that's the score and
that's the fitness level , but you
gotta take all six events . So again ,
this isn't like , hey , we want to get
you out of this , this is your already
fit . Um Why would we do anything else ?
But you have to take all six events . I
don't know if there's anything else
that . Alright Dr Taylor , one of the
recommendations was to modernize the
tape test . We showed that there was uh
an accuracy concern with that . Um I
understand that you were kind of able
to look at a lot of the data as an
epidemiologist and model something .
Would you would love for you to share
that with us ? Yeah . So as Holly
mentioned , we collected a tremendous
amount of data when it came to body
composition . And that gave us an
unprecedented opportunity to first look
at the data that we collected and
compare it to the current taping method .
Um But then also potentially to put out
or try to put out a a new equation that
was more accurate and potentially um
easier to measure and with um gender
neutral sites . Um So what we did is we
took all of the data that we collected
and we um looked at potentially
building um an algorithm and we looked
at many different algorithms . So we
kind of did many outside the box types
of ideas where we consider putting
potentially the A PFT scores into the
algorithm to predict body fat
percentage . We also looked at um new
anatomical marker sites . So right now
for women , it's three for men . It's
too . Um we also looked at potentially
including demographic factors . So
could we add in or race , ethnicity or
age into the equations ? Um And what we
found was that a simple model with one
site measurement at the abdominal
around the umbilicus or the belly
button produced an accurate as accurate
of a result as some of our more complex
models . So we could put both weight
and just one single measurement at the
abdomen and have a pretty accurate
estimation of body fat percentage . And
so um to look at this , just how we
came to this place , I think if you
look at these graphics , you can see
that when we took the body fat
percentage as calculated by the
current equations and compare those to
the measurements that we got from the
decks of scanners . Um we could plot
cut that out and if you look at that
red line in the middle , that look that
tells us where the decks a scanner body
fat percentage and the current equation
calculations are equal . So anything to
the right of that would mean that we
overestimated body fat percentage for
using the current equation . And
anything to the left of that is where
we underestimated the body fat
percentage using the current equations .
And with , as a scientist , our goal
would be to get that our measurement as
close to that red line as possible . So
get that peak as close to the red line ,
we do know that any equation is not
gonna produce a perfect result for
everyone every single time . But we
want to be as accurate as possible .
The other goal that we had was to
ensure that those two peaks that we're
looking at um male and female
population . So the yellow is male as
white as um as females and the green is
the overlap between the two . We would
like that to be as overlapped as
possible . So when we were producing
our , our equation , that was our goal
was to get that , that peak as high and
as close as possible to the red line
and to get that overlap and you can see
under the um right side graphic , we um
got that line , we got that peak closer
to the red line . And then we also see
a lot more overlap between male and
female . So that indicates that this
particular equation is more accurate .
Um And it is um measuring males and
females similarly . Um inaccuracy ,
I don't think anybody's gonna challenge
that one , something else . I would go
ahead and make something else side ,
you know the equations on the left hand
side , we're looking at log tens . I'm
not , I'm a words person , I'm not a
numbers person . The one on the right
is literally this times this minus this
plus that . So can you talk about just
the simplicity of , of being able to
produce an algorithm ? Yes . Well , the
process isn't simple , but the end
result was simple , which is I think
was exciting for us because we did ,
like I said , look at a number of
different ways to um produced this
algorithm . And when we ran them
against , looked at the accuracy and
comparing the different models , we
found that this simple model using the
abdomen and um wait in the equation was
sufficient enough to get an accurate
result . Um And it's also if you think
about it , it's kind of this waste for
weight ratio . So as your , if you're
wasted the same , but as your weight
increases , what this is allowing for
is gaining lean muscle mass because
that lean muscle is more dense , it
weighs more than the same amount of ,
of fat . So , um , we are promoting
kind of that again , getting out that
physical fitness , getting the at the
fit soldier . And also , um that
measurement side of the abdomen is
important because um I think as many ,
you know , having uh that belly fat or
that kind of waste for hip to waist
ratio is , is linked to a lot of health
outcomes . So this kind of captures ,
um not only does it allow us to predict
body fat percentage but also gets at
kind of the health and fitness of our
soldiers , Sergeant Major Stevens ,
we're talking about a more accurate
measurement . Um , the science is sound
but how do you take that and kind of
start to work policy or proposed policy
against something like that . Yeah , so
the the good thing is obviously
anything that's going to continue to
improve , you know , physical readiness ,
the readiness of our army . We're
always looking at policy changes uh to
be in line with that . But again ,
right now , this is just a proposal .
Uh So , you know , looking at the
policy implications with it , obviously ,
if it is approved , it would be for ,
you know , for all , for all soldiers .
Um just want to remind everyone though
that the screening tables will remain
our first line of assessment and that ,
you know , there will be no change in
the body fat percentage allowed . Okay .
So I have to ask , we said the
screening tables were 90% accurate ,
meaning they kind of correctly identify
which side of that you should be on 90%
of time . But when we looked at at
adding more weight to the screening
tables , what were some of the concerns
that Or the , what did the data show ?
So we heard what , you know , the
complaints about the height for weight
table . So we wanted to see like could ,
could we increase that weight on the
height for weight table ? Um and see
what happens to how we classify
soldiers based off the body fat , um ,
requirements in the Air 600-9 . And
what we found is as we increased the
weight allowed for each soldier . Um ,
the people that we were ended up
passing , weren't those people that
were going on to get taped and passing
the body fat assessment . We were
pulling in more individuals who were
going on to get taped and failing the
body fat assessment . So in essence ,
we were reducing the accuracy of the
hyper wait tables and that's not what
we wanted to do . So that's how we came
to the conclusion that where it stands
right now is , is about as accurate as
this is going to get . And I was pretty
adamant in the free briefs that we were
not going to do that . I thought that
was really clear when we had a couple
of sessions and I think we need to
remember that that's kind of the man
that's manpower , right ? We're trying
to limit the number of soldiers that
have to go on to be taped . And so
that's kind of the first layer and it's
doing its job . So 90% of the time it's
putting soldiers in the right been , um ,
they should go on to get taped or they
shouldn't . So it's , it's doing its
job and it's limiting that manpower S M
A with the proposed tape test , seeing
that number shrink from people who were
passing and shouldn't pass . So now
we're probably seeing more soldiers who
are going to be in that , you know ,
danger zone for body fat . Um , you
know , what implications Does that
really have across the force or why was
that important for , for Army senior
leaders to consider , uh you know ,
making sure that we are accurately
measuring the body fat percentage . I
think you already heard it from holly ,
as she said , the more body fat you
have , the more risk you are for
muscular skeletal injury over time .
And um if you go back to 2019 , when I
originally said was I want to make us
more fit , not less fit . And this is
one of the ways to do that a more
accurate assessment of how we look at
our body fat . Um , actually makes us
healthier over time and what we don't
want , we don't want to get to the end
of our career and , you know , fall
over and something bad happens . So ,
uh , and we don't want that to happen
along the way . We spend an enormous
amount of money on soldiers going into
the , you know , the I D S process ,
the individual , um , disabilities
assessment program . We don't want more
of that . We want less . So the less
body fat you have , the less risk .
That's what the science prove it is .
You said , more accurate , still not
perfect . What are some of the other
things that , that we're considering to
overcome that margin of error ? And
that's the other two things . So one
tape tight . Um , but then the second
piece on army directive number two ,
not number one . So don't call me if
you don't get army directive number two
in two weeks . Uh So the first
directive 5 40 that's army directive
number one . Uh So , and then the
follow on is it's gonna take a little
more time is uh doing some of those
things . Can we allow you ? So that's
the proposal is to allow you to go get
if you don't like it , you say map , I
don't care this new measurement , I
didn't get my 5 40 . I don't care what
you say . My , my tape test is bad that
you can go get a , you know , a second
opinion and it has to be done with an N
body 7 70 which is a higher end one of
those bio impedance . Uh That's the
most cost effective way that we get
those . So we're looking at purchase
about 600 those and get those out to
all Campos . It'll be waited to Campo
two and three because they have more
camp posting stations . Um But you can
use any of the machines that are gonna
be approved and it's gotta be through a
government site . You can go to the
Dexia . Um You can get the N body 7 70
or you can do some other method as long
as it's through a government location .
And then why am I doing ? Why are we
doing more with Campo two and three ?
Is that we found in Campo One or most
of your Campo stations ? You already
have those machines ? Uh I know there's
at least one probably to Texas on Fort
Bragg . Um , most your hospitals have
those . So if you say , hey , I
disagree with my tape , then , uh I
would say go check yourself out on the
heartbreaker . So , but we're looking
at that , so we're gonna need more time .
We want to get these equipment out or ,
and then really work on the policy on
how do you get to the location ? Can we
mail you the system ? What happens if I
don't get the system there ? And that's
why we need a little bit more time on
the policy because that's a lot of the
hard work . We don't want to
inadvertently rush to get that . Uh
You're saying , hey , I don't agree
with my tape tests and we don't have a
machine for you to be tested . Sergeant
Stevens anything on kind of the
considerations that we're working on as
we develop that policy again ? Remember ,
it's not , this is not final any of the
those methods or the machines or the
policies they are still in development .
But what are some of the kind of those
considerations that , that we are
looking at now ? Just to reiterate what
S M A said ? I mean , when you look at
combo two , combo three and you know ,
what does their duty cycle look like as
well as , you know , recruiting command ,
cadet command , you know , those
organizations that we have out there ,
um That might be , you know , dispersed .
How can we ensure that , you know ,
it's fair and uh impartial for them
also to get these possible
supplementary reviews . Thank you very
much . So , um there's a lot of
information we presented . I know
there's a lot of questions coming in .
Uh So I would like to transition to a
few moments for questions . Uh You can
use the comment section on Facebook
Live if you , if you're watching on
there , um , you can send me a team's
message if you want to directly , but
we did get a few questions already .
And so we'll go ahead and switch over
to that first question from Captain
Kimberly Wolf out at Fort Sill morning
Sergeant major . I'm Captain Kimberly
Wolf from the FAA Bowling Gunnery
Department here at Fort Sill Oklahoma .
I first just want to say as an
artilleryman that has spent her entire
career trying to get as strong as
possible , building muscle to smash
these new PT standards as well as
setting the example , especially now
for these guys behind me . I am so
excited for the changes that are coming
to this program and I'm really excited
to soon . Uh , something that I'd like
to know more about is this new single
site tape test . How that compares to
the previous tape test that was three
sites for females and what we are
expected to see across the force as far
as soldiers that are now transitioning
their training programs towards
strength training , building lean
muscle , which means that they could
possibly be gaining weight and how this
new tape test compares to what it is
actually calculating versus the old
test , what positive changes and
impacts you plan on seeing across the
force and how that might impact
standards and meeting these standards
during . Thank you . Okay .
There might have been one question with
four set parts . Um I think for the
science , I think Ali and Katie kind of
mentioned that already . Um So you
already talked about body weight , if
you see the gaining body weight and you
know , your measurements stay the same .
That means you're normally means you're
gaining lean muscle mass . I think we
already discussed that . Um But in the
end , you ask about , you know , I t so
we don't , we don't see any changes in
the individual uh training and basic
training in . Oh , so , so there still
is no requirement and you know , uh
what about say it's like a major , but
there's never been a requirement for an
I T soldiers when you graduate to meet
the height and weight and the body fat
standards for the army . You get one
full year um in your first duty
assignment to meet the body weight
standards for the army . And we're not ,
I don't think that came out Lord group .
So I believe we're looking to change
that if you are and you didn't tell me
you're fired . I'm just any changes on
that . No . Okay . Yeah . So , I don't
think in , I t , I don't think there'll
be any changes on that . Um , we don't
want to lose weight too quickly and try
to do this . And I know all and I
talked about , we have seen and young
adults gaining muscle bone density ,
which I don't think you normally see ,
uh , you know about science . I leave
that to you but you and I talked up New
Syrian when I visited , we did see some ,
you know , men and women graining bone
uh density and you want that uh in I T .
So we want to give them some time to
get , uh , you know , uh kind of
inculcated in the army . We don't want
to rush you to the standard so you lose
weight too quickly . It's unhealthy
sometimes . I don't know if you want to
talk about that , I think , and I think
especially for females . I think when
we first talked about some of the
female elite warfighters , um , one of
the issues was the waste and I think ,
um when Katie and I were looking at um
narrowing down the sites , um I think
the abdomen will be great for , for ,
especially for fit women that have a
strong core , I think in a lot of cases ,
the waist measurement was not always
helping with . So not only is it easy ,
everyone can kind of just lift up their
shirts and get that measurement . Um
but I think especially for women that
are strength training or it's part of
their M O s . I think that's a , you
know , a win win for them . Um , and I
think , you know , we , we covered a
lot of it in terms of how we're kind of
bringing , bringing , um , everything
closer to the accuracy of the decks . A
so , um , and aligning it across the
and age and ethnicity . So I think that
this new equation , um , I hope is well
received on all fronts for war fighters .
Great . We'll go to Facebook . We have
a question , uh , from Fort Hood if I
can find it . Great . So , to be clear ,
if a soldier has already flagged for ,
um , noncompliance with the body
composition program , does the flag get
removed once they score 540 with the
new standards , once it's signed into
policy ? Yes . Yes .
Once the , once the Secretary of the
army signs the policy . So , um , so
that , you know , again , I'm giving
myself two weeks , you know , buffer ,
but that's the intent . But if there's
any changes of that , wait until the ,
it's like , okay , let's gonna remove
it . So , um , again , wait till that
army director has signed . That's the
intent . Great . The next one are the
proposed tables for the one site test
available for soldiers . Now , the
answer to that part is no . But when
will we be able to get them out so that
soldiers can see where they stand
before that policy were to take effect ,
I think . Um , well , I'll kind of lead
off and hopefully all he can save me on
this one . Just said , Katie , um , you
know , we did , we did have to go back
and do another measurement to make sure
that measurement was correct and they
came back and said , hey , sorry ,
major again , we need more time .
That's why I took a little bit more
time . So here's our proposal and
instead of just going okay , we're good .
So we actually had to go back to
another unit , test it and see how it
went . Um So I think we're doing with
the equations now , right ? Yeah , I
feel really confident and I appreciate
the time , I think for Katie and I ,
this is huge as scientists . And so we
wanted to trouble , you know , triple
check our work . So we went to Fort
Stewart and we appreciate every soldier
that participated in the study . Um
Fort Stewart really was the place where
we just were double checking our work
and everything . Um , in our
calculations for the equation was
performing the way that we would like ,
we put together tables that can be
inserted into the policy , um as well
as an app that can be up on the website .
So we're working with our friends , our
d to kind of help , um , make that
available to soldiers and make it
convenient for them to kind of see how
the new equation will work for them in
their bodies . You know , the reason
you can't find the tables . We gotta
sign the army director first . You
don't want to just go , here's the
table and then why is it , you know ,
going out ? So get the army directed at
the table to be available very shortly
thereafter . They're ready to go . We
just gotta get the army directive
signed and then , then , then you'll ,
even after you get the first army
directive signed , you'll start seeing
some of those tables come up . Even
though that's part of the second army
directive , we just need a little bit
more time on that to make sure that uh
we've got the policy correct with what
we're about to do . Um , and I'll give
you an example what happens if I pass
the old tape test , but I don't pass
the new one . That's the policy on army
director number two that we got to
flush out . Um So that's what I mean by
that is you can't just go . Here we go .
But what if I did this ? And what do I
did that ? So that's what this working
groups and that's how important they
are . They'll go ahead and war game ,
all those scenarios so that when we put
it out , you'll , you'll have most of
the answers to your questions or we
will be able to answer that or do we
give you time to do that ? Is there a
grace period where okay , we're giving
you a new standard will take to you on
the tape test and here's , here's the
new table you got six months to get or
do we give you a year to make sure
you're in accordance ? Do we flag you
immediately ? So , uh that's why we
need a little bit more time on army
directive number two to kind of get
that out to flush some of that out .
Physical performance is just one domain
of holistic health and fitness .
Yesterday was registered dietitian Day .
Uh , so Holly Happy , registered
dietician Day belated . Um , can we
talk a little bit about what the army
is doing for nutrition and maybe some
advice as a , as a new nutrition ,
physiologist that you would have for
soldiers who are looking to optimize
their performance , I guess I'll start
with what the army is doing and I will
not answer for that for the rest of
that . Um , we've worked really hard in
the last 34 years with the Don't , uh ,
culinary and , um , center of
excellence at the Jaco . I'm trying to
get the , the meals and the menu cards
correctly . We're trying to work on our
dining facilities , Make sure we have
all healthy options . Were even trying
to pilot that you can , you know , go
to more than just the dining facility
to get a meal . Uh , if you're a single
soldier and a male card . So we meet
every month the G4 hosts a army's
commitment overall nutrition every
month to see how we can better fuel our
bodies . Do we have our defects ?
Clearly , we've got a long way to go to
get those better . Um , so every month
that's hosted by the G4 and then once a
quarter , I sit on , on that meeting to
see , um , can we fund those dining
facilities ? Get them up uh to standard
better and they're already two standard ?
But an example is , do we have a deep
fat fryer or an air fryer with the air
fire ? But not all our dining
facilities have that . So we've worked
hard to kind of make healthier options
in the dining facilities and , and use
the campus style feeding . Um We're not
there yet , but we're gonna , we're
gonna work on that and we're not giving
up on that . So , um , you sorry , um ,
actually helps make the recommendations
that go in a R 40-25 . Um And so we
work hand in hand , um , to make sure
that the dining facilities if they have
questions to meet those standards , we
also have a number of initiatives that
are you serious investigators in the
military nutrition division , um , are
working on to , um , you know , have
that training table where the war
fighter can have the foods that they
want and know that they're fueling
their body the way that we're
recommending . Um , and I know the D O
D Nutrition committee also works , try
service to make sure that we're kind of
keeping up with all the other services
and um doing the best we can for our
soldiers , right ? Uh Give an
opportunity for questions here in the
room . If you have a question , go
ahead and stand up and someone will
meet you with a microphone while we're
waiting on that . Uh So now would be
the time to stand up while we ask , uh
ask me 5 40 . Is that gonna be
the cut off for a physical fitness
badge or will that be , has there been
any discussion on bringing that back ?
There's been discussion on bringing
that back and it's probably not gonna
be 5 40 so maybe , maybe higher . I
don't . Um we , we talked a little bit
about it but , you know , ultimately ,
let's start with everybody taking the A
C F T for record . I know this , you
know , sounds insane , but we still
haven't got the whole active component
uh taking an A C F T . I know because I
get weekly numbers on who's taken it .
So I know if you had taken it . Um And
you know , we also get to work through
our cup 02 and three . So , um and have
them take it . So in other words , I
could just take a swag and say it's
gonna be 5 90 but it would be even
better that we actually got the data
for you taking the A C T and C , do we
need to make those adjustments ? So in
other words , use the information of
you taking the test to see what is
actually the top performers in that
category based off of what we've seen
people taking the test . So we actually
need you to take the test . Uh because
if not , it may be okay . Here's what I
think . I think five nineties are
pretty good . Cut off . All right ,
Esme , a sergeant major Stevens ,
ladies . Thank you so much for your
time today . Um I know that there are
gonna be a lot of questions ,
especially before the army directive is
published . So I will just reiterate
army directive . One being the 5 40
exemption is expected within the next
two weeks . Uh And then the rest of it ,
uh any final decision on uh
supplementary review via body scan or
changing to the single site tape test
is still in development and would come
later down the road . Correct ? Yes .
And my goal is to get that complete
before August , before August . That's
a , yeah , I'll throw that out
there if it's not blame the next guy .
Uh No . Um That's my goal . I , I think
it'll be a lot sooner than August to
get the directive out . Um So I'm
hoping to get that done the next month
or so . So S M A N E any closing
thoughts or comments . Yeah , I just
say uh to everybody listening , we have
a lot of things going on there . I mean ,
right now we just rolled out the be all
you can be campaign . So hopefully , I
like that and thank you for liking the
post of me and Jonathan Majors and we
still need you to vote to see who would
win that fight . Um But this initiative
specifically for everybody that's tuned
in . It's been a long time coming and
I'm really proud of the team and I may
have left off the group , the working
group did a phenomenal job and making
sure we got the policies and the timing
and they've worked really hard to get
those army directives out as fast as
they could . So I really again ,
appreciate the , the entire team of
department , the army to get this done .
Um And I'm excited about the changes .
So thanks as we close out , I would
give a shout out to the ready and
resilient performance centers and the
Army Wellness Centers , especially as
we start to roll these out , looking
for those resources that already exist
to figure out where you're at and how
you can optimize your performance as a
soldier , sergeant , majors , sergeants
major . Um Dr Taylor MS mclean , thank
you so much for joining us . Continue
to ask your questions on Facebook .
We'll have some people in there trying
to answer where we can . Uh And thank
you so much . Have a great day .