The Army Weight Control Program (AWCP)

The Army’s Weight Control Program ensures every soldier is healthy, physically fit, and combat ready. The program requires you to meet specific weight standards, which are based on their height, weight, and gender.  

Under the AWCP you will be required to weigh-in at least once every six months.  This may be done at the same time as your Army Physical Fitness Test. In most cases, failure to pass the Army’s minimum weight or body fat percentage standards will directly make you ineligible for promotion, transfer, reenlistment or opportunities to attend professional schools.   (see charts at bottom of page)

If you do not meet the initial height/weight requirements, the Army uses a calculation based on your abdominal and neck measurements to determine your body fat percentage. The following is chart shows the maximum allowable body fat percentage:

 If you exceed the Army’s body fat percentage requirements you will receive an official letter stating that you will be placed on a weight-monitoring program.  The program will require you to loose a specified number of pounds per month.  You will also receive personal counseling to help you develop a fitness and nutrition routine to help you reach your weight loss goals. 

Loosing weight requires commitment to a healthy diet and a regular workout routine.  To learn more about loosing unwanted pounds, check out Stew Smith’s article titled  “Get Ready for the Tape Test.”

Related Army Fitness Articles:

• Army Basic Training PFT Requirements
• Army Weight Standards
• Army Fitness Workout Plan
• Army Ranger Fitness
• Army Airborne Training
• Army Air Assault Training
• Performing for the Special Forces
• Physical Fitness Test Anxiety
• The new Army calculator is located here:  http://army.pftcalculator.com

Male Weight Chart

Notes:

1. The height will be measured in stocking feet (without shoes), standing on a flat surface with the chin parallel to the floor. The body should be straight but not rigid, similar to the position of attention. The measurement will be rounded to the nearest inch with the following guidelines:

a. If the height fraction is less than 1/2 inch, round down to the nearest whole number in inches.

b. If the height fraction is 1/2 inch or greater, round up to the next highest whole number in inches.

2. The weight should be measured and recorded to the nearest pound within the following guidelines:

a. If the weight fraction is less than 1/2 pound, round down to the nearest pound.

b. If the weight fraction is 1/2 pound or greater, round up to the nearest pound.

3. All measurement will be in a standard PT uniform (gym shorts and T-shirt, without shoes).

4. If the circumstances preclude weighing soldiers during the APFT, they should be weighed within 30 days of the APFT.

5. Add 6 pounds per inch for males over 80 inches and 5 pounds for females for each inch over 80 inches.

Female Weight Chart

Notes:

1. The height will be measured in stocking feet (without shoes), standing on a flat surface with the chin parallel to the floor. The body should be straight but not rigid, similar to the position of attention. The measurement will be rounded to the nearest inch with the following guidelines:

a. If the height fraction is less than 1/2 inch, round down to the nearest whole number in inches.

b. If the height fraction is 1/2 inch or greater, round up to the next highest whole number in inches.

2. The weight should be measured and recorded to the nearest pound within the following guidelines:

a. If the weight fraction is less than 1/2 pound, round down to the nearest pound.

b. If the weight fraction is 1/2 pound or greater, round up to the nearest pound.

3. All measurement will be in a standard PT uniform (gym shorts and T-shirt, without shoes).

4. If the circumstances preclude weighing soldiers during the APFT, they should be weighed within 30 days of the APFT.

5. Add 6 pounds per inch for males over 80 inches and 5 pounds for females for each inch over 80 inches.