Field Training-BMI Issue

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Mar 21, 2016
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My apologies if this post is repetitive or addressed elsewhere... please direct me accordingly. My son is a college junior (sophomore as far as his involvement in AFROTC) who worked hard to get down to his former high school wrestling weight of 191 lbs. in order to meet the weight criteria for someone 5'10". Last week he was informed that the BMI criteria has changed (my son says reduced down to 25 for everyone)... so his maximum weight criteria is now 174 lbs. and that's what he will have to get down to before his first day of field training. Admittedly, I'm new to all of this and everywhere I look the only weight charts/criteria I see for someone trying to get into AFROTC is 191 lbs. for someone 5'10". Can anyone verify or even help shed some light on this matter for me or direct me to whatever "new" BMI rules apply? I'm afraid having to get down to 174 lbs. for him is a deal-breaker (dream-breaker) for him and I'm struggling how to advise him.
 
His cadre would have the most immediate info if the BMI requirements have changed. Has he asked them? Also, if he is over weight, what does he tape at? I know the Air Force does things slightly different with a waist measurement, then it moves on to a BFA then a BMI. Does he meet each of those items if tested?
 
There are BMI standards, and those measurements are a 25 BMI for each height level, regardless of gender and age. What my cadre told us was that these are only the standards used if you fail the AC (waist measurement) component of the PFA but pass each other component (PU, SU, run) and achieve a score over 75. Read about this online in the AFI 36-2905. Table A13 is the one they're talking about. It also describes when they would use this test under Section 3.6.3-5.

This isn't "new" information (as the AFI is the 2013 revision), but my cadre says that AFROTC is reviewing weight and fitness standards. They're telling us that this is the standard that we should strive for, as most of our cadets are only a few pounds over this BMI measurement, and this would put us way under weight limits and probably in better shape, who knows. It's all very vague and confusing as of right now, but I would suggest to your son that he try to lose a couple of pounds (not all, because that's a lot) just to make sure he'll pass the AC measurement.
 
Max weight for every height was recently dropped but the standard for taping was not, if you are above max weight you get taped. They then subtract your neck measurement from your waist and compare it to a chart to get body fat %, he SHOULD be fine at 70" and 191.
 
Max weight for every height was recently dropped but the standard for taping was not, if you are above max weight you get taped. They then subtract your neck measurement from your waist and compare it to a chart to get body fat %, he SHOULD be fine at 70" and 191.

This ^^^ I was going to say that if he was a wrestler more or less what kind of shape he is in. My son's in Army ROTC and I'm just *assuming * that the "25" is % of body fat? If so, I would guess that somebody 5-10 and 191 lbs should be well under 25% body fat. My son, also an ex-wrestler and now an avid weight lifter is only 5-7 and weighs 171 lbs. He is about 17% body fat last I knew. It has go to the point where the cadre doesn't even bother taping him because they know what great shape he is in (averages 330 on the APFT).
 
His cadre would have the most immediate info if the BMI requirements have changed. Has he asked them? Also, if he is over weight, what does he tape at? I know the Air Force does things slightly different with a waist measurement, then it moves on to a BFA then a BMI. Does he meet each of those items if tested?

Thanks. I'm learning a lot in a short time. His waist tapes at 34" and he scored a 97.8 on his last FA, so the run, push and sit-up components are not an issue... just his weight of 191 lbs. @ 5'10" that doesn't come close to the 25 BMI of 174 lbs. for a 70" body.
Yes, he has talked to his Cadre..."I spoke directly with my Captain and my Colonel. It's legit. Every year they rotate who is in charge of Field Training(FT) so a whole new staff is brought on I believe. This year the person in charge of FT changed the standards for God knows what reason. My Colonel told me that they tried to fight it but said that I won't be accepted to FT if I don't meet this new standard when I arrive. Previous years did not have this, and apparently it came out of nowhere. My Colonel told me that he thinks it is over the top and ridiculous as well, and he even told me that he was going to try and reach that standard by the summer as well to see personally if it is even possible/plausible/healthy."
 
There are BMI standards, and those measurements are a 25 BMI for each height level, regardless of gender and age. What my cadre told us was that these are only the standards used if you fail the AC (waist measurement) component of the PFA but pass each other component (PU, SU, run) and achieve a score over 75. Read about this online in the AFI 36-2905. Table A13 is the one they're talking about. It also describes when they would use this test under Section 3.6.3-5.

This isn't "new" information (as the AFI is the 2013 revision), but my cadre says that AFROTC is reviewing weight and fitness standards. They're telling us that this is the standard that we should strive for, as most of our cadets are only a few pounds over this BMI measurement, and this would put us way under weight limits and probably in better shape, who knows. It's all very vague and confusing as of right now, but I would suggest to your son that he try to lose a couple of pounds (not all, because that's a lot) just to make sure he'll pass the AC measurement.

Great information. I directed my son to AFI-36-2905 (and read it myself). The sequence of steps to determine pass/fail for the Body Composition component of the FA seems logical and reasonable vs. a single and rigid "meet the 25 BMI chart or you're out" standard... especially if one has a fat neck or "big-boned" (as Mom would argue). Anyway, your feedback is extremely helpful and encouraging. Thanks.
 
Air Force is 20%, but still he should be fine

Using BFA Table A.20.3 in AFI-36-2905, his waist (34") minus his neck (est. at 15"-16") yields an est. BFA of 15-17%.
I see in Section 3.6.5.3. that.... "To pass the BFA, a female Airman must achieve a body fat percentage equal to or lower than 26%. A male Airman must achieve a BFA equal to or lower than 18%. Refer to Attachments 20 and 21 for score tables." You indicated that that the Air Force standard is 20%. Is the 20% a newer standard?
Thanks for the feedback. That sound is my son's sigh of relief (for now).
 
Using BFA Table A.20.3 in AFI-36-2905, his waist (34") minus his neck (est. at 15"-16") yields an est. BFA of 15-17%.
I see in Section 3.6.5.3. that.... "To pass the BFA, a female Airman must achieve a body fat percentage equal to or lower than 26%. A male Airman must achieve a BFA equal to or lower than 18%. Refer to Attachments 20 and 21 for score tables." You indicated that that the Air Force standard is 20%. Is the 20% a newer standard?
Thanks for the feedback. That sound is my son's sigh of relief (for now).


1. To be honest, these should all be questions your son should be asking his Cadre not you finding answers to online but that's a different conversation

2. The email sent out by my Cadre stated that the Max weight standard had changed but that BFA was still 20% Male, 28% Female.
 
+1 ClickClack

I get it as a parent, but this is all up to the cadet now.
~ One thing to want to learn the life so you can talk to them, another thing to be the Helo parent. Not implying anything, so please do not get offended.

One thing he needs to remember is that until he leaves the military his weight will matter. SFT is just the 1st. He will have annual exams, so get use to taping if he is over the wt. max.
 
Go talk to your cadre. The guidance has been confusing on both ends, and they have the latest and most accurate information. The latest guidance I have heard is that AFROTC is keeping their original 27.5 BMI standard - however, AFROTC regs are different from Air Force AD regs, so the best source of information is your cadre.
 
Our det had a talk about this. In my class I'm the only one with an issue with this, as I can range between 175-180 and am 5'10".

Here is a dandy chart we were given.

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Go talk to your cadre. The guidance has been confusing on both ends, and they have the latest and most accurate information. The latest guidance I have heard is that AFROTC is keeping their original 27.5 BMI standard - however, AFROTC regs are different from Air Force AD regs, so the best source of information is your cadre.

This is the latest we've heard at our det too. We also had been warned that there might be a change to 25 as the BMI standard, but just yesterday they announced that AFROTC is sticking with the 27.5 standard. Hopefully that stays the case, there were several guys for us like OP's son who are in shape but are bigger and would have to lose a lot to stay.
 
+1 ClickClack

I get it as a parent, but this is all up to the cadet now.
~ One thing to want to learn the life so you can talk to them, another thing to be the Helo parent. Not implying anything, so please do not get offended.

One thing he needs to remember is that until he leaves the military his weight will matter. SFT is just the 1st. He will have annual exams, so get use to taping if he is over the wt. max.

No offense taken. I know very little about "the life" (still don't know a UPT from a UTI) and feel the need to try and understand a few things in order to communicate intelligently with those who want to and those that already do. Thanks for the advice.
 
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