ACN 113/19 - SEP 2019 MEDICAL SCREENING FOR BODY COMPOSITION COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES

ALCOAST COMMANDANT NOTICE                                CANCEL DATE  24 SEP 2020

R 250753 SEP 19
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-1//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N01020//
ACN 113/19
SUBJ:  MEDICAL SCREENING FOR BODY COMPOSITION COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 250748 SEP 19/ACN 112/19
B. U. S. Coast Guard Boat Operations and Training (BOAT) Manual, Volume I, COMDTINST
M16114.32 (series)
C. Coast Guard Weight and Body Fat Standards Program Manual, COMDTINST M1020.8 (series)
1. REF (A) announced a one-year Body Composition pilot program. Members who exceed their
Maximum Allowable Weight (MAW), Body Fat Assessment or Abdominal Circumference (AC)
Measurements may be offered the opportunity to demonstrate compliance by passing the Physical
Fitness Test (PFT) in REF (B). A medical pre-screening is required before members are given
the opportunity to take the PFT. The Body Composition PFT Pre-Screen form can be found at:
https://dcms.uscg.mil/military/Body-Composition-Program/.
2. Procedure:
    a. Members that exceed MAW, Body Fat Assessment, and AC measurements will be given the Body
Composition PFT Pre-Screen form before departing the body composition compliance screening.
    b. Within one duty day, the member will provide the completed form to an Independent Duty
Health Services Technician (IDHS) at their clinic. Members that are seen at Department of
Defense Military Treatment Facilities, TRICARE Prime Remote providers, or are Drilling Reservists
will submit their forms to their Health Records Custodian (HRC). The list of HRCs can be found
at: https://www.reserve.uscg.mil/Portals/2/Documents/PDF/HSWL_HRC_list_SELRES%232.pdf?ver=2018-
08-17-135417-933. Members may submit their forms in person, mail/FEDEX, fax, or via email with
a password protected pdf. Members can contact their clinic or HRC for further details and
instructions.
    c. Within two duty days, an IDHS will review the pre-screen form. Members who answered
“No” to all questions or who answered “No” to both questions 1 and 4 can be cleared to take
the PFT after IDHS review of health risk factors in the member's medical record. If the IDHS
clears the member, the IDHS or HRC will inform the member and his/her chain of command.
    d. If the IDHS cannot clear the member, the member will require further evaluation by a Coast
Guard Medical Officer. This evaluation should occur within 10 duty days for those members seen
at a Coast Guard clinic or within 30 duty days for all other members. Some of this evaluation
may be accomplished telephonically; however travel to a Coast Guard clinic may be necessary
for full evaluation. Local Commands will provide funding to travel to a Coast Guard clinic
if necessary.
    e. The results of the Medical Officer’s evaluation for clearance to take the PFT will be
communicated to the member and the member’s chain of command.
    f. Members who are not cleared to take the PFT, decline to take the PFT, or does not pass
it, will follow the process in 3.C. of REF (C).
3. The pre-screen form will also be made part of the member’s Service Treatment Record
and upon direction from COMDT (CG-11), will be collected in a central data repository for
epidemiologic analysis.
4. Public Health Service Officers detailed to the Coast Guard may take the Public Health Service
Physical Fitness Test in lieu of the PFT.   
5. Coast Guard medical personnel, e.g., physicians, physician assistants, dentists, and health
services technicians must evaluate body composition and inquire about healthy lifestyle choices
at every encounter. Healthcare providers should model and stress to all Coast Guard personnel
the benefits of eating whole, primarily plant based foods, reducing calorically dense,
processed foods, limiting intake of simple sugars, regular exercise and sleep to maintain a
Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and 25.0. Best medical evidence considers this range optimal
for reducing the risk of chronic disease and injury – particularly cardiovascular disease and
musculoskeletal injury.
6. POC: COMDT (CG-112) at: HQS-BodyCompMedical@uscg.mil.
7. Released by CAPT John G. Rivers, Acting Assistant Commandant for Human Resources.
8. Internet release is authorized.