Back in January I was offered a 2 year Army ROTC early commissioning scholarship to Valley Forge Military College in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Because it is an accelerated version of the 4-year ROTC program into 2 years, I am required to attend the 30 day Army basic camp at Ft. Knox this July, however, I am worried that I may be disqualified from attending because of my weight. I am 17, 5'9", and currently weight 215 pounds. I have played football, wrestling, and thrown shot put during track season all four years of high school, and consider myself to be very athletic for a guy my size. I maxed out push ups at 75 for many of the ROTC PFTs and CFAs I did this year, ran a 7:02 mile, and can perform 11 strict pull-ups. I also do a lot of weight training and am at a well above average strength level. When I interviewed for the scholarship at VFMC, the Major interviewing me was already aware of my weight and that it was above the Army's standards, so he requested that I bring PT gear to the interview so that I could be taped for a body fat percentage. The result of the measurements placed me at a 20% body fat percentage, which the Major didn't hesitate to inform me was the absolute maximum the Army would allow. He then proceeded to offer me the scholarship, but did mention that weight loss would do me good. What I am uncertain of however is if I will be able to participate in the basic camp if I am still above the Army's weight standard for my height. Does being athletic and within the body fat requirements for the give me a sort of "waiver" regarding my entry to the ROTC program, or do I absolutely have to meet the weight standard. I have always been a bigger kid, I was just born that way. I have always been sort of bulky and I haven't weighed below 200 pounds since middle school, which is what is worrying me when trying to lose weight for the program. I am trying my hardest to lose weight at the moment and am definitely making progress, but I am not certain that weighing 184 pounds is something that my body will be able to do between now and the time I ship out. I am by no means looking for an easy way out having to cut weight to meet the standards, but I would just like to know if anyone can give advice regarding what will happen if I don't but am still within the body fat percentage.
Any advice will help and thank you in advance.
Any advice will help and thank you in advance.