For American Soldiers being physically fit is partially defined as maintaining proper body weight. Soldiers depend on the Army physical fitness program for combat readiness and proper weight. For many Soldiers the physical fitness program is not enough resulting in poor combat readiness and overweight Soldiers. Army Regulation (AR) 600-9, 27 November 2007, outlines Soldier's standards for height and weight. This regulation stresses the importance of a Soldier's effectiveness as a combat Soldier relating to his or her body fat maximum index. The Army regulation correlates a healthy and physically fit Soldier as one that is within compliance with AR 600-9. When a Soldier is within the standards of AR 600-9 they are considered combat ready. The truth is Soldiers are not always combat ready by this definition.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.