Federal Watchdog Warns Army’s Weight-Loss Program Puts Recruits at Risk

A recent report from the Defense Department’s Office of Inspector General (IG) has criticized the U.S. Army for breaching its own fitness standards by allowing trainees with high body fat percentages to enter a preparatory program. The watchdog discovered that the Army’s Future Soldier Preparatory Course, particularly its fitness component referred to as the Assessment of Recruit Motivation and Strength 2.0 Pilot Program (ARMS), admitted recruits who surpassed body fat thresholds, thereby elevating their health risks.

The IG's advisory from February 18 indicates that 14% of the 1,181 trainees admitted to ARMS between February and May 2024 exceeded the allowable body fat composition limits by more than 8%, with some exceeding the limit by 19%. The guidelines set by the Defense Department limit body fat to 20% for men and 26% for women.

The report indicated that Fort Jackson, South Carolina, the program's location, did not offer consistent medical oversight to trainees losing weight. Essential services like metabolic and cardiovascular screenings, along with weekly assessments by dietitians, were not consistently accessible, primarily because of staff shortages.

In light of these findings, the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command maintains that it oversees trainees and offers essential health screenings. Nonetheless, internal communications from military medical officials recognized that the program posed heightened health risks, including the possibility of death. The report from the IG has highlighted issues regarding the Army's methods in training recruits while prioritizing their safety.

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