Can the commander or attending physician approve exemptions to AR 600-9?
No. All exemptions to AR 600-9 must be forwarded to Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1, ATTN: DAPE-HRI, 300 Pentagon, Washington, DC 20310. G-1, Human Resource, is the proponent for The Army Weight Control Program. Commanders are to provide counseling to Soldiers to establish a personal weight goal and implement the weight control program. Physicians and other health care personnel assist commanders and supervisors by providing weight reduction counseling, identification of pathological conditions that require treatment, and evaluating Soldier with medical limitations. Per The Office of The Surgeon General, DA Form 3349, Physical Profile form will not be used to excuse Soldiers from the provisions of AR 600-9. AR 600-9 contains a standard memorandum for completion by a physician if there is an underlying or associated disease process that is the cause of the overweight condition.
