dauphinm17

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Nov 17, 2016
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I'm a high school senior and I was recently offered a 4-yr AROTC scholarship on this past board, and I know that soon I'll have to go get a medical exam and all that fun stuff.

The problem is, I am technically overweight according to the Army HT/WT standards (5'11", 205 lbs), but I am well under the Body Fat % standards and I consider myself to be pretty physically fit and I doubt that a medical examiner would disagree.

If I meet the Body Fat standards (less than 20%, I'm at ~13%), will I still be eligible for the scholarship?

Also, does anyone know approximately when these medical exams are scheduled after signing a contract/ accepting the scholarship?

Thank you all for your help.
 
When you get to school prior to contracting they will do height and weight.
If you are not in line with they chart they will tape you.
at 5-11, 205 you should be okay if your BMI is not too high.
be sure you do well on the APFT to prove you are fit.
you have enough time to train and be able to max it out.
that will prove how fit you are
 
My battalions weight and height were taken about 2 weeks after school started at the first APFT. If you fail you go get tape tested. If you're in shape don't worry about it at all.

Word of caution.. Had my 2nd APFT yesterday. Went to the scale (little did we know it was broken). It comes up with my weight being 134 lbs. not possible. Went to another scale.. 174. Know your height and weight. if it doesn't add up, voice that opinion.
 
Don't worry about it if you're fit. My son is 5-7 and hit 190 earlier this year. He's a former wrestler and big weight lifter and his weight has never been questioned. I think he's down to 180'ish at BOLC though
 
The army uses the Tape Test to determine BMI if you do not meet the standard on the height / weight chart. It is not the best test to measure BMI, but it is simple, easy and cheap to administer, and it is what the army uses. It is easy to do and you can have just about anyone do the measurements for you. I would suggest you self perform the tape test, check your results and then you will have no more worries. If you body fat is 13% you will have no problems. Do a google search for army tape test and you will find lots of information, opinions, and calculators.
Here is a write up on the procedure (with lots of details) http://www.armystudyguide.com/conte...eight_control/standard-methods-for-dete.shtml
Here is one of the calculators http://www.calculator.net/army-body-fat-calculator.html
 
just did a makeshift tape test according to the above instructions, came out at about 11%, which is a real relief. Seems pretty accurate considering that there are only 2 measurements.
 
Just in case anyone else was wondering, I just got qualified by DoDMERB. They never even did a body fat test nor did they request a remedial. I guess I was worried for nothing :)
 
It is good you are asking these questions. We see this question every year with parents and candidates chiming in say they are fit, yet above the max weight. Some will learn quickly that fit in Army terms is another thing. Right now you are young and have a high metabolism. As you age, this can get much tougher. For anyone that is above the max weight its good to know how you measure out ahead of time so there are no surprises not only for your scholarship, but for commissioning and even on to your active duty Army days. DoDMERB is one thing, but each service has its own requirements and each person entering ROTC should know their service requirements. Every few years the services modify and change these requirements, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. The tape test is pretty miserable as a true measurement but 5day nails why it stays in use.
 
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