Chapter 2 Responsibilities

2–1. General

The Army traditionally has fostered a military appearance that is neat and trim. Further, an essential function of day-to-day effectiveness and combat readiness of the Army is that all personnel are healthy and physically fit. Self-discipline to maintain proper weight distribution and high standards of appearance is essential to every individual in the Army.

2–2. Deputy Chief of Staff, G–1

The Deputy Chief of Staff, G–1 is responsible for the AWCP.

2–3. The Surgeon General

The Surgeon General will—

a. Establish medical examination and counseling policies in support of the AWCP.

b. Evaluate the medical aspects of the program.

c. Establish and review procedures for determination of body fat content.

d. Provide guidance on improving the nutritional status of Soldiers.

2–4. Deputy Chief of Staff, G–4

The Deputy Chief of Staff, G–4 will—

a. Establish food service guidance in support of the AWCP.

b. Publish guidance and information pertaining to the caloric content of items served on master menus.

2–5. Chief, National Guard Bureau

The Chief, National Guard Bureau (CNGB) will—

a. Implement and monitor the AWCP in the Army National Guard (ARNG) (including units).

b. Take appropriate action under guidance prescribed in this regulation.

2–6. Chief, Army Reserve

The Chief, Army Reserve will—

a. Monitor the AWCP in the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR).

b. Take appropriate action under guidance prescribed in this regulation.

2–7. Commanders of major Army commands

Commanders of major commands will insure that Soldiers within their commands are evaluated under the body fat standards prescribed in this regulation.

2–8. Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command

The Commanding General (CG), U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) will inform personnel at initial entry in the Active Army about basic nutrition and sound food consumption practices.

2–9. School commandants

TRADOC school commandants and commandants/commanders of U.S. Army Reserve Forces schools, the Army Reserve Readiness Training Center, and/or ARNG-conducted schools (regional noncommissioned officer (NCO) academies, State military academies, or ARNG Professional Education Center courses) will take the actions in paragraph 3–1_d_ upon determining that a student arrived for a professional military school overweight.

2–10. Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces Command

The CG, U.S. Army Forces Command will implement and maintain the AWCP in USAR troop program units (TPUs).

2–11. Commanders of major medical commands

a. The CG, U.S. Army Health Services Command will—

(1) Institute weight reduction and counseling programs in Army medical facilities in support of the AWCP.

(2) Provide appropriate literature and training aids for use by Soldiers, supervisors, and commanders in selection of a proper diet.

b. Commanders of other major medical commands (overseas) will institute weight reduction and counseling programs in Army medical facilities in support of the AWCP overseas.

2–12. Commanding General, U.S. Army Reserve Components Personnel Center

The CG, U.S. Army Reserve Components Personnel Center will—

a. Monitor the AWCP in the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR).

b. Take appropriate action under guidance prescribed in this regulation.

c. Insure that members applying for tours of AD, active duty for training (ADT), active duty support (ADS), and Army Guard/Reserve (AGR) meet the body fat standards prescribed in this regulation. (Soldiers who do not meet these standards will not be permitted to enter on AD, ADT, or ADS or in AGR status.)

2–13. Individuals

Each Soldier (commissioned officer, warrant officer, and enlisted) is responsible for meeting the standards prescribed in this regulation. To assist Soldiers in meeting these responsibilities, screening tables will continue to be prescribed for use as is currently being done. A 5 percent zone below the screening table weight ceiling is suggested as a help to Soldiers in targeting their personal weight at a level that will minimize the probability of exceeding the screening table weight ceiling as a matter of habit. Soldiers will be coached to select their personal weight goals within or below the 5 percent zone and to strive to maintain that weight through adjustment of life style and fitness routines. A Soldier who consistently exceeds the personal weight goal will be encouraged to seek the assistance of designated unit fitness trainer or training NCO for advice in proper exercise and fitness and health care personnel for a proper dietary program. In other words, exceeding a properly selected goal will “trigger” the Soldier to use the substantial help available to alter the fitness and dietary behavior before confronting the finality of the screening table and initiation of official action if the body fat standards are exceeded.

2–14. Commanders and supervisors

Commanders and supervisors (Active Army and Reserve Component (RC)) will—

a. Implement the AWCP, to include evaluation of the weight and military appearance of all Soldiers under their jurisdiction, to include measuring body fat as prescribed in this regulation.

b. Insure the continued evaluation of all Soldiers under their command or supervision against the body fat standards prescribed in this regulation.

c. Maintain data as listed in 2–14_f_ on Soldiers in their command or under their supervision who—

(1) Enter a weight control program each year.

(2) Subsequently either meet the body fat standards prescribed in this regulation or were separated from the service for reasons related to overweight conditions.

d. Encourage Soldiers to establish a personal weight goal as described above.

e. Ensure that personnel responsible for issuing TDY and PCS orders include the following in the text of all orders: “You are responsible for reporting to your next duty station/school in satisfactory physical condition, able to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) and meet weight standards.”

f. Establish an interim process to collect and maintain the data listed below for submission in an annual report (reporting period is 1 January to 31 December). The Defense Integrated Military Human Resources System will ultimately house these data and provide the required reports for submission to the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness), once fielded. There is no intent for the commanders and supervisors to build other systems to meet this need for the short period. The report will contain statistical data on body fat standards by gender, age, and rank/grade, as follows:

(1) Number of personnel tested for physical fitness and body fat.

(2) Number of personnel who failed the physical fitness test.

(3) Number of personnel in physical fitness remedial training.

(4) Number of personnel who failed the body fat standards.

(5) Number of personnel placed on the AWCP.

(6) Number of personnel who successfully completed physical fitness remedial training.

(7) Number of personnel who successfully completed the AWCP.

2–15. Health care personnel

Health care personnel will—

a. Assist commanders and supervisors by providing weight reduction counseling to individuals who are overweight.

b. Identify those individuals who have a pathological condition requiring medical treatment.

c. Evaluate overweight Soldiers—

(1) When a Soldier has a medical limitation, Department of the Army (DA) Form 3349 (Physical Profile) and AR 40–501 prescribe assignment limitations for Soldiers with profiles; for example, no mandatory strenuous physical activity).

(2) When a Soldier is pregnant.

(3) When an evaluation is requested by a unit commander (this is an option for unit commanders and is not mandatory).

(4) When separation is being considered for failure to make satisfactory progress in a weight control program.

(5) Six months prior to expiration term of service (ETS)

2–16. Designated unit fitness trainer or training noncommissioned officers

A designated unit fitness trainer or training NCOs will—

a. Prescribe proper exercise and fitness techniques to assist Soldiers in determining, achieving and maintaining an appropriate personal weight goal.

b. Assist commanders in developing proactive programs that clearly establish physical fitness as a unit value.