Army Directive 2026-13: New Army Body Composition Standards

Army Directive 2026-13: Army Body Composition Program and Standards introduces updated body composition requirements for U.S. Army personnel. Issued on July 1, 2026, the directive establishes the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) as the primary and sole authorized measurement standard under the Army Body Composition Program (ABCP).

Under this policy, soldiers must maintain a waist-to-height ratio below 0.55 to meet the body composition standard. The new approach replaces the previous height and weight screening tables and removes the former tape-test method as a way to challenge WHtR results. Soldiers must undergo assessment at least twice per calendar year.

The directive applies to the Regular Army, Army National Guard, and U.S. Army Reserve. It also outlines procedures for confirmation measurements, enrollment in the Army Body Composition Program, and implementation of the updated requirements.

Understanding Army Directive 2026-13 can help soldiers, military leaders, and applicants learn about the revised body composition policy. Readers should consult the official Army guidance for the complete rules, implementation details, and any subsequent updates.