Changes to the Physical Fitness Test (PFT), Combat Fitness Test (CFT) and Body Composition Program (BCP): Advisory 1-16
This MARADMIN announces the first advisory implementing CMC-directed changes to the Physical Fitness Test (PFT), Combat Fitness Test (CFT), and Body Composition Program (BCP). Immediate changes include modified height/weight tables, revised body fat percentage age groupings, and the requirement to use self-tensioning taping devices for body fat measurements. All Marines currently assigned to BCP as of 1 July 2016 must be re-evaluated under the new standards.
Issued: July 14, 2016
1. Situation. This MARADMIN is the first in a number of advisories which implement guidance resulting from CMC-directed changes to the PFT, CFT and BCP announced in ref. (a).<br> 2. Changes to the PFT and CFT announced in ref (b) are effective 1 Jan 2017. Ref (b) will be revised to reflect the changes and a follow on advisory will announce publication of the revisions.<br> 3. The following changes to BCP are effective immediately: <br> 3.1 Modification of height/weight tables and age groups which are applicable to PFT, CFT as well as body fat percentage groupings. <br> 3.1.1 Height (inches)/Weight (pounds) tables. Height in Inches. Read as four columns.<br> Ht Min Wt (M/F) Max Wt Male Max Wt Female<br> 56 85 122 115<br> 57 88 127 120<br> 58 91 131 124<br> 59 94 136 129<br> 60 97 141 133<br> 61 100 145 137<br> 62 104 150 142<br> 63 107 155 146<br> 64 110 160 151<br> 65 114 165 156<br> 66 117 170 161<br> 67 121 175 166<br> 68 125 180 171<br> 69 128 186 176<br> 70 132 191 181<br> 71 136 197 186<br> 72 140 202 191<br> 73 144 208 197<br> 74 148 214 202<br> 75 152 220 208<br> 76 156 225 213<br> 77 160 231 219<br> 78 164 237 225<br> 79 168 244 230<br> 80 173 250 236<br> 81 177 256 242<br> 82 182 263 248<br> 3.1.2: Body fat percentage age groupings. Read in three columns.<br> Age Body Fat % Maximums<br> Group % Males % Females<br> 17-20 18 26<br> 21-25 18 26<br> 26-30 19 27<br> 31-35 19 27<br> 36-40 20 28<br> 41-45 20 28<br> 46-50 21 29<br> 51+ 21 29<br> 3.1.3. Implementation guidance. These standards took effect on 1 July 2016. All Marines assigned to BCP, in the process of BCP assignment or administrative discharge due to BCP failure as of 1 July will be re-evaluated immediately by their units. If Marines meet the new standards, they will be removed from BCP. These standards are not retroactive. Previous BCP assignments and resulting administrative actions remain in effect even if the assignment would not have occurred with the standards that were implemented 1 July 2016.<br> 3.1.4. Use of more precise circumference measure taping devices. Units will utilize self-tensioning taping devices (digital or non-digital) for use during circumference measurements for those who require body fat estimation. Examples of these devices along with other information related to PFT. CFT and BCP changes can be found at https:fitness.usmc.mil.<br> 3.1.5. Clarification of body fat estimation methods. All procedures used to estimate body fat in reference (c) remain in effect but the following is clarification to the last sentence in Encl (1), Paragraph 3.F.(5).(c). The lowest body fat percentage estimation (vice circumference measurement) that results from the six sets of circumference measurements by the two BCP evaluators will be utilized for MAP or BCP assessment purposes.<br> 4. Linkage of PFT and CFT performance to BCP decisions will begin 1 Jan 2017 using the new scoring tables.<br> 5. Further advisories will detail PFT and CFT change implementation guidance. <br> 6. This MARADMIN is applicable to the Marine Corps Total Force.<br> 7. Release authorized by MajGen J. W. Lukeman, Commanding General, Training and Education Command.