How the Army combat fitness test exposes the military's unhealthy focus on 'making weight'

"As the Army forges ahead with its new Combat Fitness Test, there is a growing call from soldiers and health experts for leaders to make another change, this time to the Army’s height and weight standards.

“Bottom line is that we just don’t actually need to assess people” on height and weight, said Capt. Kristina Fauser-Martin, an Army performance dietician. “I know that sounds crazy, and it’s probably a bit too radical for what the Army is going to eventually do if they change this, but in the world of sport[s] we don’t see them dictating that you have to be such-and-such. And oftentimes when they do, it does lead to some pretty detrimental effects.” "

"But the taping method is outdated, according to several Army clinicians, since it doesn’t account for different body types and sizes and disproportionately hurts women. And it’s not just women who are negatively impacted: More muscular men who appear strong and fit could fail to “make tape” based on their body size."