Stew Smith CSCS - Articles

The USMC Body Fat / Height & Weight Standards

StewSmith.com | April 2007

Marines are weighed, at least semi-annually (annually for Reserves) and are enrolled in the Body Composition Program - formerly known as the "Weight Control Program." If the Marine is over the weight on the chart, but meets the body-fat standard, they are considered to be within the required standards, and no further action is taken. The Marine is weighed, and the weight compared to the below chart. Only if the Marine exceeds the allowable weight on the chart, they are measured for body-fat.

Body Fat Standards for Marines are:

Male - Not to exceed 18 percent. Females - Not to exceed 26 percent.

Note: If the Marine Scores a First Class on the Fitness Test, the body fat standards are:

Male - Not to exceed 22 percent Females - Not to exceed 30 percent

If the Marine fails to lose the required weight/body fat while enrolled in the Body Composition Program, they can ultimately be discharged from the United States Marine Corps.

Marine Corps Weight Chart - Males
Height (Inches)	Maximum Standard (Pounds)	Minimum Standard (Pounds)
58	132	91
59	136	94
60	141	97
61	146	100
62	150	104
63	155	107
64	160	110
65	165	114
66	170	117
67	176	121
68	181	125
69	186	128
70	192	132
71	197	136
72	203	140
73	208	144
74	214	148
75	220	152
76	226	156
77	232	160
78	238	164
79	244	168
80	250	173

Marine Corps Weight Chart - Females
Height (Inches)	Maximum Standard (Pounds)	Minimum Standard (Pounds)
58	120	91
59	124	94
60	128	97
61	132	100
62	137	104
63	141	107
64	146	110
65	150	114
66	155	117
67	160	121
68	164	125
69	169	128
70	174	132
71	179	136
72	184	140
73	189	144
74	195	148
75	200	152
76	205	156
77	211	160
78	216	164
79	222	168
80	228	173

This article should help many with finding the standards you should reach prior to joining the military. It is always recommended to never strive for the minimum physical standards when seeking a profession that requires a fit body to perhaps save your life or the lives of your comrades. If you are seeking to get back into shape and want to be as fit as one of the above military members, check with your doctor before starting any fitness program.

For more advanced standards see RECON Article

Feel free to email me at stew@stewsmith.com and thanks for the many emails in the past that prompted me to do some research on this article. Hope it helps.

Stew Smith, former Navy SEAL and fitness writer is certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (www.nsca.com) as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). Email him personally at stew@stewsmith.com or stew@mycustomworkout.com

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