Does the Military Have Weight Restrictions?

Hello everyone, I'm a junior right now, and I've been considering the path of military service. However, I'm still working on my fitness and shedding a few extra pounds. Do military branches have strict weight guidelines? Will being a little overweight affect my chances to enlist?Thank you in advance for your input.

Hello! You're right to be considering this, as the various branches of the U.S. military do indeed have weight and fitness standards. It's important to maintain a healthy body weight not only for enlisting, but also for the demanding physical tasks that come with serving.

The weight restrictions are usually based on height, age, and gender. For men, the Army, for example, requires individuals who are 5'9" to weigh between 128 lbs and 186 lbs depending on their age. The Navy is a little more lenient with individuals of the same height able to weigh between 128 lbs and 191 lbs. The Air Force and Marine Corps have similar standards.

The good news is, the military doesn't purely rely on weight as a measure of fitness. They also consider body fat percentage. So, even if you do exceed the weight limit for your height, if you're exceptionally muscular and have a low body-fat percentage, you might still qualify. The military usually calculates this with the 'tape test', where they measure your neck and abdomen to estimate your body fat percentage.

However, fitness is a substantial part of military training, and you will need to pass fitness tests at baseline and during your service. If you are significantly overweight, it can hinder your performance on these tests.

If military service is a strong interest for you, I would suggest focusing on improving your fitness and nutritional habits to follow a healthy lifestyle which aligns with military requirements. Your health is a long-term investment and it's worth improving regardless of your career path. Hopefully, this helps address your query!