What BMI do I need for Army?

Male soldiers between ages 17 and 20 must have a BMI of 25.7 or less; men 21 to 27 years old must have a BMI of 26.4 or less; men ages 28 to 39 must have a BMI of 27.1 or less; and male soldiers ages 40 and older must have a BMI of 27.5 or less.

How fat is too fat for the Army?

The maximum allowable percentage of body fat for men ranges from 18 to 26 percent depending on service and age, while for women it ranges from 26 to 34 percent (See Table 2-3). Each of the services screens active duty personnel either annually or semiannually for fitness and compliance with weight-for-height standards.

Is the army strict about weight?

The military enforces strict physical fitness and weight standards because they require soldiers to excel in peak condition. Consequently, you may need to lose weight before you join a military branch. Here is a guide to how to join the military if you're overweight.

Can fat people join the army?

Applicants who qualify through the ARMS test get a free pass on being overweight, but they do have to get themselves in shape within a year of entering active duty. Early research suggests that recruits who get ARMS waivers have attrition rates similar to enlistees who enter the Army without a waiver.

What happens if you fail weight in Army?

In most cases, failing to pass the Army's minimum weight or body-fat percentage standards will make you ineligible for promotion, transfer, reenlistment or opportunities to attend professional schools.

British Army Body Mass Index Requirements | EASY BMI Calculator

Can you get kicked out of the army for being overweight?

Not only are active-duty and​ reserve members getting kicked out for failing fitness and body-fat standards, but for the first time in history, the number one reason for recruits not being able to join the military is failing height, weight and body-fat standards.

What is a good weight for a soldier?

Marshall concludes that a soldier could optimally carry 33 percent of his body weight. The same Marine Corps study determined the average weight of a Marine male was 169 pounds and the average female's was 130 pounds. This would put their combat loads at 56 pounds and 42 pounds, respectively.

Why does the military use BMI?

The Army height–weight tables are age and gender adjusted and based on BMI used as an estimator of body fat. Some concerns of service members are that the methods used to estimate body composition not only identify over-fat Soldiers but also Soldiers of more muscular builds as being overweight.

What is overweight for the military?

Many active duty service members and their health care providers feel that the current body mass index (BMI) standard for diagnosing obesity, BMI ≥30 kg/m², may unfairly overclassify as obese those with higher muscle mass.

How accurate is Army tape test?

The Army Tape Test is a method that has been used by the military for decades. Some studies date it back to the Navy in 1984. But perhaps that's the problem, the tape test does not always accurately reflect the body fat percentage of an individual. It can have a +/- 14% margin in both directions.

How do you beat Army tape test?

There are a couple of tricks you can try: Straighten and lift your neck in the air to make your neck appear thinner, and suck in your gut to make your stomach appear smaller. However, you must perform these actions proportionally, or it could make the results of the test go in a direction other than you desire.

How much weight do I need to lose to join the army?

One of the requirements you have to meet to become a military service member is the body composition test. If you weigh between 148 and 267 pounds as a male and 120 to 184 pounds as a female, then you are good to go.

What is the fastest way to cut weight for the Army?

Eat more raw fruits and vegetables for carbs and grilled or baked lean meats for protein (chicken, turkey, beef, fish) but never fried. Drink a lot of water. Depending on your weight, you can add 50%-75% of a gallon a day to your drinking. Stop drinking soda, sweet teas and juices; they are loaded with sugar.

What happens if you fail Army height and weight?

If you fail the Height Weight standard, bad things can happen to you. You can get discharged from the military, FLAGGED, your bonus can be recouped, and you can even miss out on schools and promotions.

Is Army getting rid of tape test?

Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston told Army Times in September that the point of the study will be information gathering, and nothing, including keeping the tape test intact, is being ruled out. “I don't think there's any appetite to say: 'Hey, we want the Army to carry more body fat.

Can a male tape a female soldier?

Soldiers will be measured by trained individuals of the same gender. If a trained individual of the same gender isnot available to conduct the measurements, a female Soldier will be present when a male measures a female, and a male Soldier will be present when a female measures a male.

How do you cheat on a body fat tape test?

Eat to Cheat

The subjects had DEXA scans done before and after meals, and were instructed to drink as much water as possible immediately after each meal. They found that eating lunch or dinner caused an approximately 1 kg (2.2 lb) increase in lean mass, with no increase in body fat.

Does height matter in the army?

The cause for rejection for Armed Forces male applicants is height less than 60 inches or more than 80 inches. The cause for rejection for Armed Forces female applicants is height less than 58 inches or more than 80 inches. The Marines are more restrictive.

Does military round up height?

This is part of the physical exam of the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) every applicant must follow and pass before being sworn in as a recruit. Both height and weight measurements are rounded up or down to the nearest whole digit.

Does military use BMI?

The Army, Navy, and Marine Corps use a basic height-weight body mass index tool as an initial assessment, and then those who exceed weight limits get taped.

Does MEPS use BMI?

Description: In 2002, the MEPS-HC started providing information on the body mass index (BMI) for both children and adults. Using this measure, analyses can be performed on obesity issues.

What if I fail weight at MEPS?

MEPS checks your weight to determine whether you meet the requirements for basic training and enlistment in the Army. If you don't pass the requirements at your MEPS weigh-in, you won't be able to enlist or go to basic training.

Do you lose weight in Army basic training?

FORT SILL, Okla. -- Soldiers' transformations in Basic Combat Training are usually evident on graduation day.

What happens if you fail your physical at MEPS?

If it is accepted, you will be able to process through MEPS, where you will take a physical that you will either pass or fail. If your 2807-2 is declined or you fail your physical at MEPS, you will receive either a Temporary Disqualification or a Permanent Disqualification. Don't let those terms scare you away.