ALCOAST 274/23 - JUL 2023 ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENT EASING - OCTOBER 2023 AND APRIL 2024 BODY COMPOSITION SCREENING BETA TEST

R 311212Z JUL 23 MID120000336849U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 274/23
SSIC 1020
SUBJ: ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENT EASING - OCTOBER 2023 AND
APRIL 2024 BODY COMPOSITION SCREENING BETA TEST
A. Body Composition Standards Program, COMDTINST 1020.8I
1. To safeguard proficiency, Operational Commanders collectively
expressed the need to ease administrative requirements on the
workforce.
2. This ALCOAST announces a Body Composition Screening (BCS)
Beta Test for the October 2023 and April 2024 semiannual
screenings. The goal of the BCS Beta Test is to reduce the total
administrative time spent on the BCS and weigh-in processes.
Military members assigned to Cutters, Boat Stations, Aids to
Navigation Teams, and Deployable Specialized Forces units are
eligible to participate in this BCS Beta Test.
3. REF (A) added the Boatcrew Physical Fitness Test (PFT) as a
method of body composition compliance. Currently, it is only an
option if a member exceeds their maximum allowable weight and does
not achieve compliance through body fat assessment or abdominal
circumference measurement.
4. The BCS Beta Test offers individuals at the units listed in
para 2, as a first option, the choice to enter the Boatcrew PFT
pass date into Direct Access to fulfill the October 2023 semiannual
screening requirement. To reduce risk of adverse health events
secondary to conducting unmonitored stress tests in personnel with
unknown levels of fitness, the BCS Beta Test is limited to units
listed in para 2 because these are commands where a significant
segment of their members currently complete a Boatcrew PFT as part
of their assigned duties.
5. Member responsibilities. For each member assigned to a unit
listed in para 2, the steps to participate in the October 2023 BCS
Beta Test differ depending upon the last time the member passed a
Boatcrew PFT. Key dates for the April 2024 BCS cycle will be
promulgated no later than 31 January 2024.
    a. Members that passed a Boatcrew PFT from 01 May 2023 to the
release date of this message shall have their pass date entered into
Direct Access to satisfy the requirement for the October 2023 BCS
Beta Test.
    b. Members that passed a Boatcrew PFT from 01 February 2023 to
30 April 2023 will need to pass another Boatcrew PFT on or before
30 September 2023 to satisfy the requirement for the October 2023
BCS Beta Test.
    c. Members that passed a Boatcrew PFT prior to 01 February 2023,
or have never taken and/or passed a Boatcrew PFT in the Coast Guard
must:
      (1) Complete a medical pre-screening questionnaire to determine
medical eligibility to safely participate in the Boatcrew PFT.
The "PFT Pre-screen Form" is located at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

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

      (2) If the medical pre-screening determines that a member
requires further medical evaluation prior to safely taking a
Boatcrew PFT, that member shall not participate in the October 2023
BCS Beta Test, unless medically cleared in time to successfully
pass a Boatcrew PFT on or before 30 September 2023.
      (3) If the medical pre-screening determines that a member may
safely take a Boatcrew PFT, that member will need to pass a Boatcrew
PFT on or before 30 September 2023 to satisfy the requirement for
the October 2023 BCS Beta Test.
6. Command Information.
    a. Any members at units listed in para 2 that do not follow the
steps listed in para 5 to successfully pass a Boatcrew PFT on or
before 30 September 2023 are ineligible to participate in the
October 2023 BCS Beta Test and must follow the normal BCS process
outlined in REF (A) for October 2023.
    b. For members that follow the steps in para 5, Commands shall
enter the following example text in the "remarks" block at the
bottom of the weight and body composition module in Direct Access
from 01 to 31 October 2023: "Boatcrew PFT Pre-Screening date:
DDMMMYYYY, Pass date: DDMMMYYYY." For members cited in para 5.a and
5.b above, please enter "N/A" for the Pre-Screening date. This
Direct Access entry during the month of October 2023 is the final
step to participate in the October 2023 BCS Beta Test.
7. Units listed in para 2 that are unable to participate in the
October 2023 BCS Beta Test due to an extended deployment or time at
sea shall comply with the normal BCS process outlined in REF (A)
for October 2023.
8. Beta Test Analyses. The Coast Guard will evaluate how many
commands and members used the Beta Test in October of 2023 to
successfully complete the semiannual screening requirement and will
also assess increased administrative burden to medical clinic
personnel, as well as other unintended negative effects that may
arise. Based on this evaluation, the BCS Beta Test may become a
permanent option for commands to complete semiannual BCS
requirement.
9. POC: For medical screening questions, contact COMDT (CG-112)
at: HQS-BodyCompMedical@uscg.mil. For general policy questions
contact Office of Military Personnel Policy (CG-133) 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/

10. Dr. D. M. Navarro, Acting Assistant Commandant for Human
Resources (CG-1), sends.
11. Internet release is authorized.