To get recruited to the Marine Corps, recruits must meet a set of fitness standards and enlisted Marines must always be physically fit throughout their time as Marines. The Marine Corps updated their fitness requirements in 2017, which include combat fitness tests, physical fitness tests, and body fat standards.
The weight and body fat standards for Marine Corps is based on performance and health, and not on appearance. To qualify to join the Marines, you should not exceed the maximum limits set for body weight and body fat.
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For enlisted Marines in active duty, they are weighed semi-annually while Reserves are weighed annually. These weights are compared to the set Marine standards in the below chart.
How Are Height and Weight Measured For the Marine Corps?
To measure height, a Marine must stand with his/her back against a wall with their heels flat on the floor and their head facing forward. Arms should hang relaxed at the sides and shoulders should lean backward. Height is rounded to the nearest full inch.
Weight is taken on a calibrated scale, either a balanced bean or digital scale. For Marines already in the service, their weight is taken when in their PT uniforms with no shoes. This means that a pound is deducted from the measured weight to account for the uniform. Again, weight is rounded off to the nearest full pound.
What Happens When You Exceed Marines Weight Standard?
If a Marine has exceeded the maximum limit for weight requirement, he/she will undergo body fat tests. All Marines who exceed the required body fat allowed are enrolled in the Body Composition Program, formerly known as Weight Control Program. If even after joining the Body Composition Program a Marine fails to meet the maximum weight limit, he/she may be involuntarily discharged.
Please note that Marines who exceed the weight standards but meet the body fat requirements are considered fit for the service; they should not enroll in the Body Composition Program. These changes were made because the Marines realized they were locking out fit people who had added bulk in the form of muscles as a result of vigorous exercises.
Also, it is important to point out that Marines who are below the standard weight and body standards are considered fit for the Marines. However, Commanders may refer them for a thorough medical evaluation to rule out any health or psychological factor that might be resulting in them being underweight.
Here is a chart for height and weight standards for the Marines
Marine Corps Weight Standards Charts
Male
| Height (inches) | Minimum Weight (in lbs.) | Maximum Weight (in lbs.) |
|---|---|---|
| 56 | 85 | 122 |
| 57 | 88 | 127 |
| 58 | 91 | 131 |
| 59 | 94 | 136 |
| 60 | 97 | 141 |
| 61 | 100 | 145 |
| 62 | 104 | 150 |
| 63 | 107 | 155 |
| 64 | 110 | 160 |
| 65 | 114 | 165 |
| 66 | 117 | 170 |
| 67 | 121 | 175 |
| 68 | 125 | 180 |
| 69 | 128 | 186 |
| 70 | 132 | 191 |
| 71 | 136 | 197 |
| 72 | 140 | 202 |
| 73 | 144 | 208 |
| 74 | 148 | 214 |
| 75 | 152 | 220 |
| 76 | 156 | 225 |
| 77 | 160 | 231 |
| 78 | 164 | 237 |
| 79 | 168 | 244 |
| 80 | 173 | 250 |
Source: Marines.mil
Female
| Height (in inches) | Minimum Weight (in lbs.) | Maximum Weight (in lbs.) |
|---|---|---|
| 56 | 85 | 115 |
| 57 | 88 | 120 |
| 58 | 91 | 124 |
| 59 | 94 | 129 |
| 60 | 97 | 133 |
| 61 | 100 | 137 |
| 62 | 104 | 142 |
| 63 | 107 | 146 |
| 64 | 110 | 151 |
| 65 | 114 | 156 |
| 66 | 117 | 161 |
| 67 | 121 | 166 |
| 68 | 125 | 171 |
| 69 | 128 | 176 |
| 70 | 132 | 181 |
| 71 | 136 | 186 |
| 72 | 140 | 191 |
| 73 | 144 | 197 |
| 74 | 148 | 202 |
| 75 | 152 | 208 |
| 76 | 156 | 213 |
| 77 | 160 | 219 |
| 78 | 164 | 225 |
| 79 | 168 | 230 |
| 80 | 173 | 236 |
Source: Marines.mil
Body Fat Standards for Marines
As per the recent updates, effective from 2017:
Male Marines should not exceed 18% body fat while female Marines should not exceed 26 percent body fat. These standards apply to first-time recruits to the Marine and extend through their first few years of service.
Marines may avoid body fat screening tests if they meet the set scores for a physical fitness test and combat fitness test. These tests are extremely challenging, and Marines must get a score of 285 or higher on both tests to be exempted from the body fat screening tests. For those who get a score of more than 250, they are given an allowance of 1 percent for their body fat as per the guidelines.
Here are the maximum body fat percentages for Marines at each age group:
| Age Group | Body Fat % - Men | Body Fat % - Women |
|---|---|---|
| 17 - 20 | 18% | 26% |
| 21 - 25 | 18% | 26% |
| 26 - 30 | 19% | 27% |
| 31 - 35 | 19% | 27% |
| 36 - 40 | 20% | 28% |
| 41 - 45 | 20% | 28% |
| 46 - 50 | 21% | 29% |
| 51+ | 21% | 29% |
Source: Fitness.Marines
Waivers for Body Fat Requirements
The waivers for the body fat requirements are not extended to first general officer in the Marine’s chain of command.
In the past, such waivers were only reserved for the deputy commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.
Bottom Line
All Marines should maintain the set height and weight standards throughout their stay in the service. This is to ensure they are physically ready for any operation they get called upon.
Marines who exceed the maximum weight limit or body fat composition must enroll in the Marine Corps’ Body Composition Program to help them trim down their weight.
Additional References
https://www.marines.mil/Portals/1/Publications/MCO%206110.3A.pdf?ver=2017-01-04-071352-610
