ALCOAST 157/25 - APR 2025 EASING ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS - BODY COMPOSITION SCREENING BETA TEST

R 012020Z APR 25 MID120001835864U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 157/25
SSIC 1020
SUBJ: EASING ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS - BODY COMPOSITION
SCREENING BETA TEST
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 311212Z JUL 23/ALCOAST 274/23
B. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 131347Z FEB 24/ALCOAST 077/24
C. Body Composition Standards Program, COMDTINST 1020.8I
1. This ALCOAST announces an extension to the Body Composition
Screening (BCS) Beta Test announced in REFs (A) and (B) for the
April 2025 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, PATFORSWA, Deployable
Specialized Forces, and FORCECOM Special Missions Training
Center (SMTC) units are eligible to participate in this BCS Beta
Test. In addition, military members who are required to complete
the Boat Crew PFT as part of their law enforcement designation
or assigned billet, including Sector boarding teams and security
forces, and Training Center boat houses, are eligible to
participate in this BCS Beta Test.
2. REF (C) added the Boat Crew Physical Fitness Test (PFT) as a
method of body composition compliance. As is being done within
the Department of Defense, the Coast Guard is reviewing existing
standards set for members of the Armed Forces pertaining to
physical fitness, body composition, and grooming. As such,
commands are reminded that only those units covered under the
beta test in para 1 are authorized to conduct the Boat Crew PFT
in lieu of semi-annual Body Composition Screening (BCS) in
April 2025. All members not permanently assigned to a unit listed
in para 1 must conduct the BCS in accordance with REF (C);
there are no other exceptions. In accordance with REF (C), members
must conduct the BCS in order, which requires:
    a. Max Allowable Weight (MAW); if non-compliant, then
    b. Taping, which includes two- or three-site taping (based on
sex), and/or abdominal circumference (AC); if non-compliant, then
    c. Medical Screening for authorization to conduct
Boat Crew PFT; then
    d. Boat Crew PFT.
3. The BCS Beta Test offers individuals at the units listed in
para 1, as a first option, the choice to enter the Boat Crew PFT
pass date into Direct Access (DA) to satisfy the April 2025
semiannual screening requirement. The BCS Beta Test is limited to
units listed in para 1 because a significant segment of the members
assigned to these units complete a semi-annual Boat Crew PFT
as part of their readiness requirements.
4. Member Responsibilities. For each member assigned to a unit
listed in para 1, the steps to participate in the April 2025 BCS
Beta Test differ depending upon the last time the member passed
a Boat Crew PFT.
    a. Members who passed a Boat Crew PFT between 01 November
2024 and 30 April 2025 shall have their pass date entered into
DA during the month of April to satisfy the requirement for the
April 2025 BCS.
    b. Members who passed a Boat Crew PFT on or before
31 October 2024 will need to pass another Boat Crew PFT no later
than 30 April 2025 to satisfy the requirement for the April 2025
BCS.
    c. Members who last passed a Boat Crew PFT prior to 01
September 2024, or have never taken or passed a Boat Crew PFT in
the Coast Guard must:
      (1) Complete a medical pre-screening questionnaire to
determine medical eligibility to safely participate in the Boat
Crew 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 completing a
Boat Crew PFT, that member shall not participate in the April
2025 BCS Beta Test unless medically cleared in time to
participate in a Boat Crew PFT on or before 30 April 2025.
      (3) If the medical pre-screening determines that a member
may safely complete a Boat Crew PFT, that member will need to pass a
Boat Crew PFT on or before 30 April 2025 to satisfy the
requirement for the April 2025 BCS.
5. Command Information.
    a. Members at units listed in para 1 who do not follow the
steps listed in para 4 to successfully pass a Boat Crew PFT on
or before 30 April 2025 are ineligible to participate in the
April 2025 BCS Beta Test and must follow the normal BCS process
outlined in REF (C).
    b. For members who follow the steps in para 4 and pass the
Boat Crew PFT, commands shall enter the following example text
in the "remarks" block at the bottom of the weight and body
composition module in DA from 01 to 30 April 2025: "Boat Crew
PFT Pre-Screening date: DDMMMYYYY, Pass date: DDMMMYYYY." For
members cited in para 4.a, 4.b,and 4.c.1 above, please enter
"N/A" for the Pre-Screening date. Commands will also select
"compliant yes" in DA. This DA entry during the month of April
2025 is the final step to participate in the April 2025 BCS Beta
Test. Members that participate in the April 2025 BCS Beta Test
may temporarily remain red in CGBI but will be considered
compliant with the April 2025 Semiannual BCS. No changes will be
made to DA until completion of the Beta Test, however CGBI reporting
is in the process of being updated.
6. Units listed in para 1 that are unable to participate in the
April 2025 BCS Beta Test due to an extended deployment or time
at sea shall comply with the normal BCS process outlined in
REF (C).
7. Beta Test Analyses. The Coast Guard will:
    a. evaluate how many commands and members used the Beta Test
in April of 2025 to successfully complete the semiannual
screening requirement;
    b. assess any increased administrative burden to medical
clinic personnel, and;
    c. assess any other unintended negative outcomes. Based on
this evaluation, the BCS Beta Test may become a permanent option
for specific commands to complete the semiannual BCS
requirement.
8. There has been a noticeable increase in reliance on the
Boat Crew PFT since it became an option for BCS compliance. As a
result, members have gotten farther away from MAW and max
allowable body fat percentage or AC. Members are reminded that
if a temporary or permanent physical disability prevents
attempting or passing the Boat Crew PFT, and the member is beyond
the probation-eligible limits for MAW, Maximum Body Fat percentage,
or AC, REF (C) requires these members be processed for mandatory
separation.
9. POC: For medical screening questions, contact COMDT (CG-1K2)
at: HQS-BodyCompMedical@uscg.mil. For general policy questions
contact Office of Military Personnel Policy (CG-1M11) 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. CAPT Ryan P. Matson, Acting Assistant Commandant for Military
Personnel (CG-1M), sends.
11. Internet release is authorized.