Can you take an APFT 45 days after being taped? How do you interpret AR 600-9 for this?

SFC Vernon McNabb — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 14:14:41 -0500

3–4. Weigh-in and body fat assessment
a. Weigh-ins and body fat assessments will be conducted in accordance with appendix B. All Soldiers will be weighed every 6 months, at a minimum.
b. In order to ensure the ABCP does not interfere with Soldier performance on the APFT, commanders and supervisors are encouraged to allow a minimum of 7 days between APFT and weigh-in, if feasible. Some Soldiers that are close to exceeding the screening weight may attempt to lose weight quickly in the days leading up to a weigh-in.
This practice may result in the Soldier being unable to perform his or her best on the APFT, if the two events are scheduled close together.

I had a discussion about this in my unit as to whether or not it was fine to take an APFT 45 days after being taped. IAW the above excerpt, it only gives a minimum recommendation. My CSM also brought up the fact that the "7 days" is for those personnel who are enrolled in the ABCP. My interpretation was that every Soldier falls under the guidance of the ABCP, just that some are over their limits and require extra tending to. My argument was that since there is no guidance for taking more than 7 days to complete the DA 5500/5501 then it is legit to have a gap greater than 7 days. I am not arguing that this is the best practice, but extenuating circumstances arise.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2016 2:31 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 14:31:09 -0500

The reason that provision exists is for Soldiers already enrolled in ABCP may attempt to cut weight in advance of the monthly weigh-in, causing a higher risk of injury, not for the entirety of the military population who has to meet the standards at all times and will as a matter of routine weigh-in and tape (if necessary) immediately on the heels of the APFT as we always have.

Note the use of the word "encouraged" instead of "must" in the line about a 7-day gap. That means "don't have to" in Army Regulation-speak. 45 days is way more latitude than I would even consider, frankly. Personnel on the ABCP need to weigh in every 30 days, even after they are in compliance.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2016 2:57 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 14:57:48 -0500

I agree with 1SG Jerry Healy in the fact that 45 days is way more latitude than I would ever think about giving for the height and weight portion of the APFT. However I do not agree that this 7 day window is only for those that are already in the ABCP. "Some Soldiers that are close to exceeding the screening weight may attempt to lose weight quickly in the days leading up to a weigh-in." All Soldiers in the Army have to follow the regulation. Those that enter the program are the ones that do not meet the regulation standard.

Response by CPT Mark Gonzalez made Jan 13 at 2016 5:03 PM

CPT Mark Gonzalez — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 17:03:47 -0500

30 days is the max per our local policy. Otherwise they re-do both. The requirements are separate, but married to a degree. AR 600-9 para 3-4, supports the requirements as being separate, but having lifted many an AFPT flag I believe the S-1 needs the HT/WT data for emilpo.

d. Units maintain height, weight, and body fat assessment data according to unit policy. The height, weight, and body fat percent may be entered on the Department of the Army (DA) Form 705 (Army Physical Fitness Test Scorecard) but they are no longer required entries. Units may track height and weight on a centralized roster, the DA Form 705, and on the DA Form 5500 (Body Fat Assessment Worksheet - Male) or DA Form 5501 (Body Fat Assessment Worksheet - Female) if a body fat assessment is required.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2018 1:58 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 01:58:01 -0500

I have a different question. Our 1SG conducted a Company Height & Weight back on 15 December 17 couple of days after the APFT. There was an NCO didn't take the APFT due to his PT Profile, but he did a Height and Weight and passed it. Now, the 1SG wants him to take the APFT because he is off PT Profile and also wants that NCO to do another Height and Weight. I told the 1SG that the NCO last Height and Weight was still within 6 months, but he(1SG) told me that the NCO need to re-do the Height and Weight because he didn't do an APFT back in Dec '17. What is the actual answer?