U.S. Army Implements New Physical Fitness Requirements

The U.S. Army announced new physical fitness requirements for soldiers on July 7, 2026. Under the updated policy, soldiers must maintain a waist-to-height ratio of 0.55 or lower. Those who do not meet this requirement will be referred to the Army Body Composition Program for nutrition counseling. Sgt. Maj. Edgar Monsanto, deputy chief of staff for the Army’s Directorate of Prevention, Resilience, and Readiness, stated that the new metrics aim to ensure soldiers are healthy and fit for combat. This change shifts away from the previous height-and-weight standards and aligns the Army with other military branches, which have similar waist-to-height ratio requirements. The Army was the last branch to implement this directive, as explained by an Army spokesperson, due to its size and the need for thorough assessment.