: It ensures that a soldier cannot be summarily discharged without a formal, diagnostic review by a structured medical board, preserving transparency across the rank and file.
, issued by the Director General Medical Services (Army) , is a foundational regulatory framework governing the medical evaluation, categorization, and retention criteria for Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and Other Ranks (ORs) within the military . Fitness standards act as the cornerstone of operational readiness, making this specific administrative order highly influential in determining career progression, rank extensions, and medical discharges. army order 03 2001 dgms army
Medical classification under this order heavily influences service status using the standardized system, which assesses five functional areas: S – Psychological / Psychiatric factors H – Hearing capacity A – Appendages (mobility and limbs) P – Physical capacity and general stamina E – Eyesight / Vision : It ensures that a soldier cannot be
: Personnel seeking a two-year extension of service must generally be in a high medical category. Under this order, being in a permanent LMC can be grounds for denying such extensions. Medical Categorization and the "SHAPE" Factors
[Normal Weight / SHAPE-1] │ ▼ (Weight Gain Detected) [Placed in LMC Category: P2 Temporary] │ ┌───────┴────────────────────────┐ ▼ (Weight Lost within 24 Weeks) ▼ (Fails to Meet Weight Targets) [Upgraded back to SHAPE-1] [Made Permanent LMC / Promotion Denied]
: Establishing the protocols for Low Medical Category (LMC) personnel and determining their suitability for continued service or medical discharge. Medical Categorization and the "SHAPE" Factors