US Military Unveils a New Way to Measure Troops’ Body Fat

The U.S. military is making a major change in how it measures body fat percentage, signaling a clear break from long-standing fitness rules that have been in place for years.

On December 18, 2025, the Pentagon released updated guidance expanding on changes first introduced earlier that fall. The new memo outlines a move away from traditional height and body weight charts, replacing them with a waist-to-height ratio system designed to standardize body composition measurements across the force.

Under the updated guidelines, body-fat limits will range from 18% to 26% for men and from 26% to 36% for women. The standards are detailed in a document signed by Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Anthony J. Tata.

New Standards Will Apply Across All Military Branches

The policy applies to every branch of the armed forces, and service members will now undergo body composition evaluations twice a year. As the changes roll out, many troops are expected to utilize the army tape test calculator tools to better understand how the new measurements may apply to them ahead of official assessments.

“The upper limit for allowable [waist-to-height ratio] for military service body-composition policies shall be less than 0.55,” the memo states.

The measurement is calculated by dividing a service member’s waist size by their height. Anyone who reaches a ratio of 0.55 or higher will face additional testing. If those results exceed approved body-fat standards, service members could be placed in their branch’s remedial fitness program and referred for medical evaluation.

Consequences for Failing to Meet Requirements

“Failure to meet established standards may result in the withholding of favorable personnel actions, including promotions,” the memo explains. “Continued failure or those not demonstrating adequate progress will be subject to administrative measures to include processing for administrative separation.”

That said, the policy does allow for limited flexibility among top performers.

“High performers on fitness tests may be granted allowances, but only within defined limits as prescribed by each Military Service. High performance does not excuse non-compliance with body composition standards,” the document reads.

Policy Updates Tied to Broader Pentagon Changes

The memo adds, “The changes set forth above will be reflected in the pending update to Department of Defense Instruction 1308.03, ‘DoD Physical Fitness/Body Composition Program,’ March 10, 2022, as amended. This instruction will be updated no later than June 30, 2026.”

The policy shift follows a September 30 address in which Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth outlined 10 initiatives aimed at senior military leaders, including reforms to fitness requirements.

In a separate memo, Hegseth said the waist-to-height method was being adopted “to promote consistency and fairness across the Joint Force,” with evaluations conducted twice a year.

Hegseth’s Remarks Spark Attention and Controversy

At the time, Heseth said that it’s “tiring to look out at combat formations, or really any formation, and see fat troops.”

He added, “Likewise, it’s completely unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon and leading commands around the country and the world. It’s a bad look. It is bad, and it’s not who we are.”

Hegseth also said assessing body fat would be set to male benchmarks only and stressed stricter grooming requirements.

“The era of unprofessional appearance is over. No more beardos,” Hegseth told the audience, which sat in silence.

Grooming Rules and Combat Standards Also Revised

As part of his broader push for a fitter force, Hegseth has overhauled grooming rules, requiring service members to be clean-shaven and neatly presented. He has also called for combat arms positions to return to “the highest male standard only.”

In January, the Pentagon launched a six-month review to assess the “effectiveness” of women serving in ground combat roles.

Political Pushback Follows Pentagon Announcements

Democrats quickly criticized the changes, arguing the effort risks injecting partisan politics into the military.

“It signals that partisan loyalty matters more than capability, judgment, or service to the Constitution, undermining the principle of a professional, nonpartisan military,” said Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Military Branches Begin Rolling Out the Changes

Since the December announcement, the Navy has already adopted the waist-to-height ratio as part of assessing physical fitness. The Air Force and Space Force updated their military standards in January to include the same measurement. The Army and Marine Corps are still finalizing how the policy will be implemented, according to service officials.

Health Experts Raise Concerns About the New Approach

Not everyone supports the aggressive messaging behind the shift. Sarah Rondinone, a registered dietitian who previously served in both the Navy and Army, said the rhetoric surrounding the changes raises red flags.

She agrees that functional fitness is essential, but worries that harsh language could worsen an ongoing problem within the ranks: unhealthy dieting behaviors.

“It’s known that when height and weight [measurement] comes around, everybody doesn’t eat for three days,” she said, per American Homefront Project. “The culture surrounding it is just not what it should be.”

A 2023 Defense Department study found eating disorders are increasing at a significant rate within the military, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.

Experts Warn of Long-Term Health Risks

“People will consume laxatives to completely get everything out of their system. Then, oppositely, I have seen people with anorexia nervosa put rocks in their uniform to make weight, because the weight standards go both ways,” she said.

Rondinone also pointed out that many standards still rely heavily on body mass index, a measurement developed in the 19th century that doesn’t account for muscle mass, genetics, or individual health factors.

“You have people that compete in body builder competitions who have 6 percent body fat that are failing these standards because they’re overweight technically,” she said. “But body mass and body composition are not the same for everybody.”

Calls for a More Supportive Fitness Strategy

Another expert echoed those concerns.

“The military does need to have standards,” said Leah Stiles, founder and CEO of SEA WAVES. “But we need to be concerned with how we’re meeting and reaching those standards. It shouldn’t just be pass or fail, green check mark or red X.”

“The consequences that come from getting into the state of low energy availability are things like brain fog, delayed decision making, delayed recovery after injury, and the list goes on,” she said. “Those aren’t the people that we want beside us on the battlefield or in tense military operations.”

Retired Brigadier General Stephen Cheney, now President Emeritus of the American Security Project, offered a final perspective.

“These young men and women need a lot more support than just cutting their food intake and making them run more miles. We’ve been doing that for 50 years and it didn’t solve the problem,” he said.