Weight Loss

[RagingBull]

I'm in the process of scheduling my DoDMerb exams for all academies. I'm a couple pounds over the weight limit, and I'm working very hard to make sure I'm well below the maximum by October in order to perform my best on the CFA. Would I be medically disqualified if I'm not within the weight standards? I've already lost 20+ pounds so I know I'm not at my lowest weight yet.

Thanks for any advice

 

[IronmanDaremo]

The short answer is .... depends. They will sometimes use the tape to see body mass for those that are bigger (a lot of athletes are).

I would suggest holding off on scheduling your DoDMERB stuff until you are comfortably down to where you would like, if that is possible.

 

[USNA_STEM_Prof]

Acknowledging that (a) I'm not a medical doctor and (b) I don't know anything about your specific physiology, if you truly are just a couple pounds over, that should be easy by October.

This is of course coming from a lifetime grappler that is very familiar with weight cuts down and rapidly moving up in weight classes as well. That said, permanent habit changes to facilitate healthy and sustainable long term weight are what you should seek out. Beyond that, going into DoDMERB overweight is playing with fire and to the point made by @IronmanDaremo -- if you're not there by October a delay if possible is prudent.

 

[RagingBull]

Acknowledging that (a) I'm not a medical doctor and (b) I don't know anything about your specific physiology, if you truly are just a couple pounds over, that should be easy by October.

This is of course coming from a lifetime grappler that is very familiar with weight cuts down and rapidly moving up in weight classes as well. That said, permanent habit changes to facilitate healthy and sustainable long term weight are what you should seek out. Beyond that, going into DoDMERB overweight is playing with fire and to the point made by @IronmanDaremo -- if you're not there by October a delay if possible is prudent.

I'm about 6 pounds over the max for my height, I want to get down about 12 pounds. At the rate I'm going I should be down double that by mid October. I just wanted to see if it would cause problems for me going into DoDMERB now over the limit.

 

[RagingBull]

The short answer is .... depends. They will sometimes use the tape to see body mass for those that are bigger (a lot of athletes are).

I would suggest holding off on scheduling your DoDMERB stuff until you are comfortably down to where you would like, if that is possible.

Thank you for your guidance.

 

[usna1985]

My understanding is that the SA, not DODMERB, makes the decision on weight. I think that, if you’re over, they will do body measurements. However, I defer to Mr. Mullen on these points.

 

[Computerman21]

I did 17 pounds in about a month and a half for the DODMERB because of the Air Force’s maximums. Just make sure you weigh in below their maximum, and you‘ll be fine.

 

[Charlie W]

Are waivers ever available for weight, based on body fat percentage, body type, or level of fitness?

 

[justdoit19]

Of course there are. I would guess almost every football lineman weighs more than standard limits. Especially coming off, or during their season. And they are in top physical fitness. My own was a wrestler (and football, and track. But wrestling was in season at the time). and exceeded weight limits for his height. Also very physically fit. He was taped. And then appointed.

A funny story: my son had his interview for NROTC with a Naval Captain at xx university. First thing he said, while shaking hands, was “boy am I glad to meet you. XX tall, and XX pounds can only mean two things….“ Meaning, ‘you are either overweight, or very fit and muscular’. He was the later. So obviously fitness is something looked at!

It’s a competition!!

 

[Cerberi]

Do the weight loss while you are training for the CFA. Dropping weight as a run up to the CFA could adversely impact your ability to perform.

Don’t do any fad dieting either. The Navy/Marines are going to weigh you quite frequently so healthy habits will benefit in your career and your life

Though the ideal fighter pilot is slightly overweight and smokes - per a study done back in the 80’s

 

[G0navybeat@rmy]

Just because you’re “overweight” doesn’t mean you’re disqualified. I’m 6’4, and for my height, the maximum weight is 221 lbs. I usually weigh in at 230-235. I’m fairly lean, but I’m still “overweight,” which means I have to get the tape test, which if you pass that then your weight doesn’t necessarily matter.

 

[bigmack]

When my DS completed the DoDMERB he was about 50 pounds over the weight limit for his height. He was not obese, but athletic and had a muscular build. However, no body fat measurements were taken during the exam, so there was no way for the Service Academies to know his body composition, only that he was significantly over the weight limit. USAFA asked for a body composition form to be filled out by our doctor or school nurse almost immediately after the DodMERB was turned in. USNA did not ask for a body composition form to be completed until they offered an appointment months later. His original USNA appointment was "conditional" upon him meeting the body composition requirements (passing the tape test).