Overview
- The Dec. 18 memo sets an upper waist-to-height ratio below 0.55 and establishes body-fat ranges of 18–26% for men and 26–36% for women.
- All service members will be measured twice a year, with those at or above 0.55 subject to further testing, remedial programs, medical evaluation, and possible personnel actions up to separation.
- The Navy has incorporated the standard into its readiness program, the Air and Space Forces updated their fitness processes, and the Army and Marine Corps are finalizing implementation plans.
- The guidance details measurement methods, using waist circumference at the midpoint between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone divided by height.
- The Air Force will run a diagnostic period from March 1 to June 30, resume official testing on July 1, and publish updated fitness score charts after pausing scoring on Jan. 1.