ACN 068/21 - JUL 2021 RESUMPTION OF THE BODY COMPOSITION PROGRAM

R 131450Z JUL 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST COMDT NOTICE
BT
UNCLAS
ACN 068/21
SSIC 1020
SUBJ: RESUMPTION OF THE BODY COMPOSITION PROGRAM
A. Coast Guard Weight and Body Fat Standards Program Manual,
COMDTINST M1020.8H
B. U.S. Coast Guard Boat Operations and Training (BOAT) Manual,
Volume II, COMDTINST M16114.33 (series)
C. Military Assignments and Authorized Absences, COMDTINST M1000.8
(series)
1. This ACN announces the resumption of Body Composition
Screenings (BCS) beginning 01 OCT 2021 and updates REF (A) with
Abdominal Circumference (AC) as an additional body composition
measure.
2. In light of the diminishing impact of COVID-19 to our members,
the availability of a vaccine, and the return to pre-COVID
conditions for most areas, the Body Composition Program will
resume on 01 October 2021 with Maximum Allowable Weight (MAW),
2/3 site taping and AC as permanent body composition measures,
with all administrative consequences in effect. The Boatcrew
Physical Fitness Test (PFT) will still be allowed for the
October 2021 BCS as a continuation of the pilot.
3. COMDT (CG-1) will promulgate a new Body Composition Program
Manual prior to October 2021 BCS which incorporates AC as a
measure of body composition. Additionally, COMDT (CG-1) will
update BCS FAQs and will release an ACN for the October 2021 BCS.
4. Screening process (in order).
    a. Height measurement (if not measured already during
current tour).
    b. Member's weight is measured.
    c. Members who exceed their MAW will be measured for Body Fat
Screening (2/3 site taping) or AC measurement. Members can
choose either 2/3 site taping or AC measurement. If a member
passes either measurement they will be considered compliant.
Members that exceed their chosen measurement can elect to take
the other form of measurement, either Body Fat Screening or AC
measurement, not already attempted.
    d. Members who exceed their MAW and are not in compliance with
one of the taping methods may have the option to take the Boat Crew
PFT described in REF (B), subject to medical pre-screening
eligibility. If the member is positively pre-screened and eligible
to take the PFT and then successfully passes the PFT, the member
will be in compliance with the Body Composition Program.
    e. Members will be processed per REF (A) for weight probation or
separation, as appropriate, if the member elects to not take the
PFT after pre-screening indicates eligibility (and the member does
not otherwise qualify for an abeyance or exemption), or does not
pass the PFT.
5. Personnel must adhere to the procedures listed in this message
and in the Body Composition Screening Desk Guide when performing
any required body composition screening between 01 OCT 2021 and
30 SEP 2022. The Body Composition Screening Desk Guide can be
found at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://dcms.uscg.mil/military/Body-Composition-Program/

6. Height and Weight. Members will follow procedures in 2.B.4.b
and 2.B.4.c of REF (A).
7. Body Fat Screening. Members will follow procedures in 2.C
though 2.F of REF (A).
8. AC Measurement.
    a. The AC is a circumferential measure of abdominal girth at the
iliac crest (top of hipbone). This measurement is highly correlated
with internal fat and indicative of true disease risk independent
of body mass. Increased health risks associated with being overfat
are not only related to total body fat, but also more closely to
fat distribution. Upper body fat, specifically abdominal fat,
presents the greatest health risk as it is highly linked to
cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders such as diabetes.
Reducing abdominal girth or circumference is more important than
normalizing body weight. Exercise increases muscle mass and can
mask reductions in girth, (i.e., with proper exercise body weight
may stay the same or even increase, but "belt size" will reduce).
Since abdominal fat is an independent risk factor for disease,
the evaluation of AC is important to a member's health risk.
    b. Measuring.
        (1) Two persons, a taper and an observer, will conduct the AC
measurement on the member. The gender of the taper, observer, and
member will be the same. The taper will take the measurement and
the observer will read the taping instructions and ensure that
taping is performed correctly. For consistency purposes,
spring-loaded tension tape measurers shall be used when measuring
AC. The taper shall read the taping instructions to the member at
the start of an AC measurement procedure. The taping instructions
are found in the Body Composition Screening Desk Guide. A "how to
measure" AC video is available at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://dcms.uscg.mil/military/Body-Composition-Program/

        (2) The member will stand facing forward with their arms to
their side, similar to the position of attention. The taper will
take the measurement from members right hand side. AC is measured
to skin and the member will adjust clothing so it does not fall
over their waist during the measurement. The taper will set the
end of the tape directly above the hip-bone (iliac crest) and ask
the member to hold it in place (if desired, the member may assist
in locating the measurement landmark by resting the right hand on
the hip, using rearward facing right thumb to locate the iliac
crest). The taper will walk around to confirm parallel placement
of the tape and then visualize at eye level to measure the AC at
the end of the member's normal exhalation. The taper will make
sure the member does not hold their breath. The taper will repeat
the sequence/order measurement three times and record each
measurement rounding down to the nearest 1/2 inch. If any of the
measurements differ by more than one inch from the other two, an
additional measurement will be taken by the taper. The taper will
add up the three closest measurements, divide by three, and round
down to the nearest 1/2 inch. The taper will record this as the
AC measurement.
    c. The Standard. The maximum AC is 39.0 inches for males and
35.5 inches for females. Any measurement at or under the maximum
circumference will be considered compliant with Body Composition
Standards.
9. Taping guidance. All tape measurements will be made to skin
except hip measurements, to encourage members to use safe weight
loss practices and balance measurement accuracy and privacy.
Members requiring hip taping have the option to be taped over the
uniform of the day, PT gear, or to skin. This optional "over the
clothes" method for hip measurements will use the same measurement
locations and taping procedures in REF (A). If the member chooses
the "over the clothes" option during hip taping, one inch will be
subtracted from the hip measurement only. The recording of these
measurements and the averages noted in para 2.D.3 of REF (A) still
apply. All other processes and procedures outlined in REF (A) for
the body fat assessment remain in effect.
10. PFT guidance.
      a. If a member exceeds their MAW and is not in compliance with
either the body fat assessment or AC measurement, the member will
be given a medical pre-screening questionnaire to determine
eligibility for a medical abeyance or clearance by a medical
officer to take the PFT.
      b. The only authorized PFT is the boat crew fitness test
specified in REF (B) at Part 2, Chapter 4, Section D, Physical
Fitness Standards.
      c. If a member is medically fit to take the test, they will
be compliant if they pass the PFT. Members who decline to
take the PFT or fail to complete the screening questionnaire will
be considered to have not passed the PFT.
      d. Members must be cleared by an Independent Duty Health
Services Technician or a medical officer to take the PFT.
      e. The PFT for active duty personnel must be administered
within five business days after the member has been cleared.
      f. Units will use the Fitness Assessment Protocols and
Procedures Guide, in conjunction with REF (B), to conduct the PFT,
the guide and the applicable sections of REF (B) can be found at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://dcms.uscg.mil/military/Body-Composition-Program/

      g. If the member elects the 12-minute swim as an alternative to
the 1.5 mile run, commands will assist the member in locating an
appropriate swimming pool. Local commands will be responsible for
any pool fees that are incurred.
      h. PFT scores will be recorded in Direct Access (and Training
Management Tool as applicable).
      i. Any unit that conducts a PFT for compliance will submit a
brief report to COMDT (CG-11) on the time and resources used to
conduct the PFT and the number of times the member has used it for
compliance within 10 business days of the test. The report format
can be found on the Body Composition Pilot Program website.
11. Probation Determination. Weight probation will begin when a
member has exceeded their MAW, fails compliance through one of the
taping measurements, and fails compliance through the PFT.
Non-compliance with the PFT occurs when:
      a. a medical officer determines that the member is not cleared
to take the PFT, and they do not qualify for a medical abeyance or
exemption, or;
      b. the member declines to take the PFT after being cleared by
medical to take the PFT, or;
      c. the member does not pass the PFT.
12. Probation. There are four ways to avoid probation: compliance
with MAW, compliance with AC, compliance with body fat screening,
or passing the PFT. Members above their maximum screening weight
by over 35 pounds and maximum allowable body fat by more than 8%
and exceed AC by more than 4 inches are ineligible for probation
and will be processed for separation. If a member declines to
take one of the two measurements, their probation/separation will
be based on screening weight and their chosen tape measurement.
Commands will continue to use the probation duration calculations
located in REF (A) but include the AC safe loss rate of 0.5 inches
per month. As with the other measures, the maximum probation
duration will be eight months. Probation duration will be based on
the measure that gives the member the longest probation duration.
Members must wait 30 days from initial weight probation
determination to have their first probation Body Composition Check
and must go through entire Body Composition Screening process
each time.
13. Reservists. If the member exceeds MAW and taping measurements,
the member will complete a medical screening form prior to the
conclusion of the drill period in which their screening was
conducted. If a follow-on medical appointment is needed, a
Readiness Management Period will be allotted to conduct the
medical follow-up. Commands of reservists will provide advanced
dates for the PFT to allow members to adjust their schedule as
needed. If member cannot meet those dates due to other commitments,
they can request an alternate date. The PFT will be conducted on
the approved date, provided the member is cleared to perform the
PFT. Reservists who are not cleared to take the PFT, decline to
take it, or fail it, and are not granted an exemption or abeyance,
will follow the process outlined in 4.C.4. of REF (A).
14. Accessions. During the Pilot Program, Coast Guard Recruiting
Command, the Leadership Development Center, and Training Center
Cape May will use MAW and Body Fat Assessment only to determine
weight compliance for their accessions' training and recruiting.
The AC measurement and PFT is not an authorized path to compliance
in the accessions process.
15. Policies and standards in REF (A), not specifically addressed
in this ACN, remain unchanged. All changes mentioned above will be
incorporated into a new Manual titled Body Composition Program
Manual. This new Manual will be released in the next year and will
replace REF (A).
16. Members are encouraged to seek guidance on safe weight loss and
healthy habits at the COMDT (CG-111) website which can be found at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-
for-Human-Resources-CG-1/Health-Safety-and-Work-Life-CG-11/Office-
of-Work-Life-CG-111/Health-Promotion-Resources/

17. This message is cancelled on 12 JUL 2022.
18. POC: For medical screening questions, contact COMDT (CG-112)
at: HQS-BodyCompMedical@uscg.mil. For general policy questions
contact COMDT (CG-1331) at: HQS-BodyCompPolicy@uscg.mil or visit
the Body Composition website at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/military/Body-Composition-Program/

19. Released by Dr. D. M. Navarro, Acting Assistant Commandant
for Human Resources (CG-1).
20. Internet release is authorized.