Is a retape required?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 14:45:25 -0500

I have a question about the ABCP and attending schools. My soldier passed tape two weeks before leaving for MOS-Q. He passed at 2% under. He got to school and they did the H/W again and he failed the tape by 1%. This was after he lost an additional five pounds mind you. He was sent home with out a retape. Is there a policy that soldiers must be retaped? The tape is so inaccurate it doesn’t seem right to fault someone who was clearly within the regulation two weeks prior.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Dec 4 at 2018 3:46 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 15:46:05 -0500

SGT Private RallyPoint Member You are looking for policy, not regulations.
TRADOC policy and school house policy will determine actions for a reporting SM who has exceeded table screening weight and BF measurement. I've been out too long to say for sure what current guidance and policy is. Talk to your DIV or BDE schools personnel , they will know. As should your 1SG, and CSM.
And I think you confuse two things.
Body fat measurement by way of a circumference-based tape method are not highly accurate when compared to body composition done by water displacement or other nationally recognized standards.
Results of body fat composition done by circumference-based tape method are commonly repeatable by trained individuals. .... when those performing the circumference-based tape method and calculations are trained, the measured results will be consistent...

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2018 6:27 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Dec 2018 06:27:50 -0500

I hate the taping process! I was tall and according to standards I was “overweight” before marriage and kids. So every time they did taping process I would always pass. However, when a SGT. that didn’t like me she got herself involved in the height and weight measurements I would always fail, this was prepregnancy too.

They have scales now that do accurate weight and body fat measurements. I think that these could be a great investment for battalions and then each company have a set month in doing company wide height and weight.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2018 7:40 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Dec 2018 07:40:51 -0500

AR 350-1 covers height and weight in schools, bit there can be separate policies at the school itself.
However, more than likely is someone did the tape wrong. When compared to other body fat tests, such as the pinch test with calipers the Army system is actually pretty accurate.