ARMY WEIGHT CONTROL PROGRAM (AWCP)
References
AR 600-9, The Army Weight Control Program. (27 Nov 06)
AR 600-8-2, Suspension of Favorable Personnel Actions. (23 Dec 04)
Main Points
1) Each Soldier is responsible for meeting the standards in AR 600-9. Commanders and supervisors will monitor all members of their
command to ensure they maintain proper body weight, body composition (body fat in relation to weight), and personal appearance.
2) Soldiers that exceed the body fat standards listed in AR 600-9, Chapter 3, are considered overweight. Body fat composition will be
determined for personnel:
a) Whose weight exceeds the screening table weight in Table 3-1.
b) When the unit commander or supervisor determines that the individual’s appearance suggests body fat is excessive.
3) A Soldier’s entry date into the AWCP begins the day they are informed by the Command in writing.
4) Once placed into the AWCP, the Soldier must lose from 3-8 pounds per month.
5) When a Soldier meets the body fat requirements (Table 3-2), even if they exceed screening table weight (Table 3-1), they must be removed
from the AWCP and their flag must be removed.
6) Soldiers that meet body fat standards and become pregnant will be exempt from the standards for the duration of the pregnancy plus 135
days after termination of pregnancy. Enrollment after this period still requires physician approval that the Soldier is fit for participation in a
weight control program.
7) Soldiers who are in the AWCP, even if they become pregnant while in the AWCP
a) Are nonpromotable (when permitted by law).
b) Cannot be assigned as commander, CSM, or 1SG.
c) Are not authorized to attend PME.
8) See AR 600-9, 3-3 for reenlistment criteria concerning the AWCP and pregnant Soldiers.
Company Commander Responsibilities
1) Ensure that all TDY and PCS orders include the following statement: “You are responsible for reporting to your next duty station/school in
satisfactory physical condition, able to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) and meet weight standards.”
2) Weigh-In: Ensure every Soldier is weighed when they take the APFT or at least once every six months. Soldiers may be weighed
immediately before or immediately after the APFT.8 Soldiers that do not meet height weight requirements must be taped.
3) Taping: Tape every Soldier that exceeds their screening table weight9 to determine their body fat content. Maximum allowable percent body
fat standards are shown in AR 600-9, Table 3–2. Soldiers will be measured by individuals of the same gender, or, if this cannot be done, a
female will be present when a male measures a female.
When a Soldier Exceeds Both Height/Weight and Body Fat Requirements
1) Enter the Soldier into the AWCP, notify the Soldier in writing, and flag the Soldier AIW AR 600-8-22.
2) Have medical personnel determine if there is a medical problem causing the Soldier's weight condition.
a) If a medical reason exists and the problem cannot be controlled medically, the Soldier should be referred to MEB/MAR by the medical
evaluator.
b) If no medical reason exists, the Soldier continues in the AWCP.
3) Either prior to or shortly after entry into the AWCP, the Soldier must receive a weight reduction counseling.
4) Conduct monthly weigh-ins for Soldiers in the AWCP. Body fat content evaluations may also be done to assist in the measuring process.
5) When a Soldier meets the body fat requirements (Table 3-2), even if they exceed screening table weight (Table 3-1), they must be removed
from the AWCP and their flag must be removed.
The First 6 Months of the AWCP
1) Verify that Soldiers are meeting the required 3-8 pounds loss each month. Soldiers that do not meet this standard after 2 consecutive
months should be referred back to a medical professional to rule out medical causes for unsatisfactory weight loss and must be informed
that progress is unsatisfactory and that they are subject to separation. Separation action can be initiated at this time at the commander’s
discretion.
2) If, after 6 months, there is no satisfactory progress, the Soldier still exceeds AR 600-9 Tables 3-1 and 3-2, and if there is no medical
condition identified, initiate a Bar to Reenlistment or administrative separation proceedings.
a) Notify the Soldier in writing of a Bar to Reenlistment and review the response the Soldier is required to submit immediately. If no adequate
reason for failure to progress in the AWCP is provided, initiate separation action.
b) If separation action is not initiated or does not result in separation, the Soldier will continue in the AWCP IAW AR 600-9, 3-2, e.
After the First 6 Months in the AWCP
1) If, after 6 months, there is satisfactory progress (3-8 pounds per month) or the Soldier is at or below their weight in Table 3-1, but they still
exceed the body fat standard, the Soldier will be continued in the AWCP.
After Removal from the AWCP
1) If a Soldier exceeds body fat standards with no underlying medical condition…
a) Within 12 months after removal from the AWCP, initiate separation proceedings.
b) After 12 months and before 36 months after removal from the AWCP, enter the Soldier on a 90-day probationary period. Initiate separation
proceedings after the probationary period if the Soldier does not meet body fat standards or remove from AWCP if he/she does.
Special Cases Regarding the AWCP
Soldiers who become pregnant will be exempt from height/weight and body fat standards for the duration of the pregnancy plus 4.5 months
(135 days) convalescent leave. If, after this convalescent period, the Soldier exceeds body fat standards and a medical professional approves
her participation in the AWCP, the Soldier will be entered and treated as outlined above, as if they just entered the program.
References
AR 600-9, The Army Weight Control Program. (27 Nov 06)
AR 600-8-2, Suspension of Favorable Personnel Actions. (23 Dec 04)
Main Points
1) Each Soldier is responsible for meeting the standards in AR 600-9. Commanders and supervisors will monitor all members of their
command to ensure they maintain proper body weight, body composition (body fat in relation to weight), and personal appearance.
2) Soldiers that exceed the body fat standards listed in AR 600-9, Chapter 3, are considered overweight. Body fat composition will be
determined for personnel:
a) Whose weight exceeds the screening table weight in Table 3-1.
b) When the unit commander or supervisor determines that the individual’s appearance suggests body fat is excessive.
3) A Soldier’s entry date into the AWCP begins the day they are informed by the Command in writing.
4) Once placed into the AWCP, the Soldier must lose from 3-8 pounds per month.
5) When a Soldier meets the body fat requirements (Table 3-2), even if they exceed screening table weight (Table 3-1), they must be removed
from the AWCP and their flag must be removed.
6) Soldiers that meet body fat standards and become pregnant will be exempt from the standards for the duration of the pregnancy plus 135
days after termination of pregnancy. Enrollment after this period still requires physician approval that the Soldier is fit for participation in a
weight control program.
7) Soldiers who are in the AWCP, even if they become pregnant while in the AWCP
a) Are nonpromotable (when permitted by law).
b) Cannot be assigned as commander, CSM, or 1SG.
c) Are not authorized to attend PME.
8) See AR 600-9, 3-3 for reenlistment criteria concerning the AWCP and pregnant Soldiers.
Company Commander Responsibilities
1) Ensure that all TDY and PCS orders include the following statement: “You are responsible for reporting to your next duty station/school in
satisfactory physical condition, able to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) and meet weight standards.”
2) Weigh-In: Ensure every Soldier is weighed when they take the APFT or at least once every six months. Soldiers may be weighed
immediately before or immediately after the APFT.8 Soldiers that do not meet height weight requirements must be taped.
3) Taping: Tape every Soldier that exceeds their screening table weight9 to determine their body fat content. Maximum allowable percent body
fat standards are shown in AR 600-9, Table 3–2. Soldiers will be measured by individuals of the same gender, or, if this cannot be done, a
female will be present when a male measures a female.
When a Soldier Exceeds Both Height/Weight and Body Fat Requirements
1) Enter the Soldier into the AWCP, notify the Soldier in writing, and flag the Soldier AIW AR 600-8-22.
2) Have medical personnel determine if there is a medical problem causing the Soldier's weight condition.
a) If a medical reason exists and the problem cannot be controlled medically, the Soldier should be referred to MEB/MAR by the medical
evaluator.
b) If no medical reason exists, the Soldier continues in the AWCP.
3) Either prior to or shortly after entry into the AWCP, the Soldier must receive a weight reduction counseling.
4) Conduct monthly weigh-ins for Soldiers in the AWCP. Body fat content evaluations may also be done to assist in the measuring process.
5) When a Soldier meets the body fat requirements (Table 3-2), even if they exceed screening table weight (Table 3-1), they must be removed
from the AWCP and their flag must be removed.
The First 6 Months of the AWCP
1) Verify that Soldiers are meeting the required 3-8 pounds loss each month. Soldiers that do not meet this standard after 2 consecutive
months should be referred back to a medical professional to rule out medical causes for unsatisfactory weight loss and must be informed
that progress is unsatisfactory and that they are subject to separation. Separation action can be initiated at this time at the commander’s
discretion.
2) If, after 6 months, there is no satisfactory progress, the Soldier still exceeds AR 600-9 Tables 3-1 and 3-2, and if there is no medical
condition identified, initiate a Bar to Reenlistment or administrative separation proceedings.
a) Notify the Soldier in writing of a Bar to Reenlistment and review the response the Soldier is required to submit immediately. If no adequate
reason for failure to progress in the AWCP is provided, initiate separation action.
b) If separation action is not initiated or does not result in separation, the Soldier will continue in the AWCP IAW AR 600-9, 3-2, e.
After the First 6 Months in the AWCP
1) If, after 6 months, there is satisfactory progress (3-8 pounds per month) or the Soldier is at or below their weight in Table 3-1, but they still
exceed the body fat standard, the Soldier will be continued in the AWCP.
After Removal from the AWCP
1) If a Soldier exceeds body fat standards with no underlying medical condition…
a) Within 12 months after removal from the AWCP, initiate separation proceedings.
b) After 12 months and before 36 months after removal from the AWCP, enter the Soldier on a 90-day probationary period. Initiate separation
proceedings after the probationary period if the Soldier does not meet body fat standards or remove from AWCP if he/she does.
Special Cases Regarding the AWCP
Soldiers who become pregnant will be exempt from height/weight and body fat standards for the duration of the pregnancy plus 4.5 months
(135 days) convalescent leave. If, after this convalescent period, the Soldier exceeds body fat standards and a medical professional approves
her participation in the AWCP, the Soldier will be entered and treated as outlined above, as if they just entered the program.
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