What You Need to Know About Military Weight Standards
For those looking to join the Army or Air Force, the first hurdle is the initial procurement table. These tables provide the maximum allowable weights based on your height and age. In the Army, a male recruit aged 17-20 who stands 70 inches tall has a maximum enlistment weight of 180 lbs. For a female recruit in the same age bracket at 65 inches tall, the maximum is 150 lbs. It is important to note that these requirements are strictly enforced at MEPS. When you step on that scale, your height is measured in stocking feet with your chin parallel to the floor. The Air Force has moved toward gender-neutral weight tables for enlistment. For instance, regardless of gender, a recruit standing 60 inches tall has a minimum weight of 97 lbs and a maximum of 141 lbs. If you exceed these numbers, don’t panic—you’ll likely move to a body fat measurement to see if you still qualify. You can find more details on Army Weight Standards to see where you fall on the current charts.