Marines who are pregnant or have recently given birth now have three more months to meet physical fitness and appearance standards. In a Feb. 8 announcement to all hands, the Marine Corps announced the extension to 12 months. The change means:
* Pregnant and post-partum Marines now have 12 months from the date of the birth event to meet Body Composition Program (BCP) and Military Appearance Program (MAP) standards. They will be exempt from taking part in BCP or MAP during that time. If they are already assigned to BCP or MAP, they will be placed on inactive status during the pregnancy and up to 12 months after the birth event.
* New mothers on the BCP who have given birth between nine and 12 months before this change will be removed from the program and reevaluated. Marines who have completed their postpartum recovery within the past three months and have received an adverse fitness report can file a petition to the Performance Evaluation Review Board asking for a review of their case.
* Pregnant Marines are exempt from taking the Physical Fitness Test (PFT) and Combat Fitness Test (CFT). After they deliver, they will take part in a “progressive and appropriate exercise program” as soon as their health-care providers deem fit. They will be required to take the next regularly scheduled PFT or CFT no sooner than 12 months after the birth event.
* Post-partum Marines under age 46 can take the rowing event instead of the three-mile run during the PFT, with proper approval from health-care providers and their commander.
