Weight Standards

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S0ftball

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I received a dodmerb conditional appointment, and I do not have a disqualifying conditions. However, I am ten pounds out of the weight standards. I scored a 246 on my PFE, so it does not affect my performance. Will I be disqualified or does the academy handle these sorts of issues? I emailed my AO, but he’s not great at responding (totally understandable with the amount of emails they get).
 
S0ftball said:
I received a dodmerb conditional appointment, and I do not have a disqualifying conditions. However, I am ten pounds out of the weight standards. I scored a 246 on my PFE, so it does not affect my performance. Will I be disqualified or does the academy handle these sorts of issues? I emailed my AO, but he’s not great at responding (totally understandable with the amount of emails they get).
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Why not redirect your energies into a nutrition, rest, and exercise plan that will get you within standards by day 1? Unless you’re a state champ shotputter who needs the weight for a few more weeks, start now. Talk with your physician but I am finding iterative fasting to provide results. Eat between noon and six pm for me but probably varies by age and weight.

One other thing. As you become an adult you metabolism can change. I’ve seen a lot of agile, nimble bigger athletes gain 50 pounds in college and much more beyond. Good luck.
 
I have started a better nutrition plan in the last week, so I definitely want to l
be within the standards. I just didn’t know whether that would hurt anything with my DodMerb.
 
S0ftball said:
I have started a better nutrition plan in the last week, so I definitely want to l
be within the standards. I just didn’t know whether that would hurt anything with my DodMerb.
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I have read that on day one, some of the first things you do besides haircuts for the guys is take a color blindness test and weigh in. If your bmi is over the max (I think 29 maybe?) or if you fail the eye test, you’re basically out.

Maybe the stories I’ve read are from several years ago and things have changed, but I’d for sure be doing everything possible to drop 10 lbs in the next 12 weeks to be on the safe side!

I know one account was in a book I read called “swab summer” which followed the class of 2016, so that would’ve been 11 years ago.
 
There is definitely a weigh in day 1 of swab summer. You can find the weight standards on the academy website. Besides max weight there is a max BMI (24.9), max abdominal circumference, and max body fat percentage. I know once you are a commissioned officer, you can be "taped" to determine if you are within standards, but do not know if that applies to day 1 of swab summer. You can call the admissions office - I'm sure that anyone that answers the phone can find the answer. There is also a POC for medical questions - Shannon.E.Castineira@uscga.edu. If you want to see the handbook with all of the information you will need for swab summer - just search for Class of 2026 (this year's handbook isn't up there yet). Lots of great information in there.
 
S0ftball said:
I have started a better nutrition plan in the last week, so I definitely want to l
be within the standards. I just didn’t know whether that would hurt anything with my DodMerb.
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Very respectfully, I don't think there is anyone who regrets their investment getting into optimal (within standards or better) mental, physical shape prior to starting day 1 at a SA or ROTC program. I do think there are people who show up ill prepared and have an uphill journey just to survive year one of these programs- even the first 2 months can be a grind - again very respectfully I recommend you continue with your commitment with resolve and decide that you just will do the needful in order to show up within standards. or don't, in which case yes please call the academy to figure out if you'll be kicked out for showing up out of standards on day 1.

these are long journeys - my DS started military training when he was 18 - he'll be in the Navy until at least age 33 as an aviator - probably longer including reserves - why start that military career journey with a clearly avoidable misstep on intake day 1? why plan to call negative attention to yourself? OK, I've stressed the point and now just wish you well - weight loss is challenging - less so at age 18 but habits are hard to break sincerely I hope it all works out for you.
 
S0ftball said:
I received a dodmerb conditional appointment, and I do not have a disqualifying conditions. However, I am ten pounds out of the weight standards. I scored a 246 on my PFE, so it does not affect my performance. Will I be disqualified or does the academy handle these sorts of issues? I emailed my AO, but he’s not great at responding (totally understandable with the amount of emails they get).
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I realize no one answered your question. I don’t know what the weight standards protocol is on the dodmerb side… I’d imagine it will flag a DQ and need a waiver. If you’re an athlete reach out to your coach they may have more real time accurate info. There are multiple threads about showing up on day 1 over weight but the accuracy of the outcome seems to ebb and flow .

Best of luck to you
 
hopefulmominla said:
I realize no one answered your question. I don’t know what the weight standards protocol is on the dodmerb side… I’d imagine it will flag a DQ and need a waiver. If you’re an athlete reach out to your coach they may have more real time accurate info. There are multiple threads about showing up on day 1 over weight but the accuracy of the outcome seems to ebb and flow .

Best of luck to you
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I believe I have seen DoDMERB’s Mr. Mullen comment that DoDMERB does not get involved in weight standards and body fat, it is the commissioning source’s to review and decide.
 
I was sent a form from USAFA after I weighed ”too much” for my DODMERB physical and just had to get neck, chest, and waist measurements by my school nurse. Although my weight didn’t fit the standards, they determined my bodyfat was well below the limit.
 
usafacan2023 said:
I was sent a form from USAFA after I weighed ”too much” for my DODMERB physical and just had to get neck, chest, and waist measurements by my school nurse. Although my weight didn’t fit the standards, they determined my bodyfat was well below the limit.
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Cool thank you. I think I definitely fall into that standard too. I don’t have a ton of body fat mostly muscle.
 
I also was above the weight threshold for my height. They weigh you within the first week of Swab Summer and, depending on how over you are, you may be booted out or have the chance for a waiver. I talked with a nutritionist to find the best food balance so as to not lose muscle mass and strength but to still lose the appropriate amount of fat. You can do it!
 
I don't know about "today", but I am prior military.

I maxed out a majority of my PT tests. I weighed 156 lbs and could only weigh 154 max. I was taped tested every single time "weigh-ins" came around. Based on my BMI after a tape test? I was permitted to weigh up to 180 lbs.

Different folks have different builds and "weight" is just a number to start with. My higher-ranking superiors from just above me all the way over to Battalion Headquarters use to comment something to the tune of... "Makes absolutely no sense to be sending our fittest soldier to be tape-tested".

If you are of a muscular build, lose some fat if you can, but will probably pass the tape test based on your BMI...but don't take my word for it.
 
Weight standards are set in stone based on height/weight. If you don't make weight on Day 1, they do the body measurements as described above, which calculate body fat percentage. If you don't make those on Day 1, your coach (if an athlete) or the Superintendent MAY grant a waiver which would allow you to be re-measured at the end of swab summer. Football players (think linemen) don't get a waiver for height/weight either; they know they won't make standard height/weight measurements, so they get absolutely jacked instead (low % of body fat / high muscle mass).

Moral of the story, don't come to swab summer overweight. Period. It causes unnecessary stress during the first day and the first few weeks of swab summer. Everyone loses between 5 and 20 pounds during swab summer, but there is no guarantee DS/DD will be granted a waiver on Day 1.
 
Cut the sugar and drive-thrus out of your diet. You might be amazed at what happens with the bathroom scale.
 
I’d like to piggy back on this…my son is 70.5 inches…is the half inch taken into account when determining weight? I notice all weight requirements are based on full inch measurements
 
S0ftball said:
I received a dodmerb conditional appointment, and I do not have a disqualifying conditions. However, I am ten pounds out of the weight standards. I scored a 246 on my PFE, so it does not affect my performance. Will I be disqualified or does the academy handle these sorts of issues? I emailed my AO, but he’s not great at responding (totally understandable with the amount of emails they get).
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There’s a lot of sort-of answers to your question. I’ll throw in what I know.

I was flagged as overweight on my USMA and USMMA applications back in 2020, so they had me be taped by a physician and submit that to them; DODMERB never flagged me, the academies contacted me directly. (I passed tape though.) I was not flagged on my USNA or USCGA applications. At USCGA day 1, I was measured (height) and weighed and passed. However, you could be turned away if you arrive overweight. Once you’re a cadet, it’s not so cut-and-dry; if you’re over the weight standard (we are weighed once a semester) then you’re taped, and if you fail that, you re-take the PFE.

On R-day, depending on your sport, you could be passed through regardless of weight though. If you’re a little over but are a recruited football player, wrestler, thrower, or some other sport that involves heavier athletes, I wouldn’t be too stressed. I know someone that was passed through for that. If you’re a recruited baseball player, distance runner, or something similar, then I would be concerned.
 
VAcadetmom said:
There is definitely a weigh in day 1 of swab summer. You can find the weight standards on the academy website. Besides max weight there is a max BMI (24.9), max abdominal circumference, and max body fat percentage. I know once you are a commissioned officer, you can be "taped" to determine if you are within standards, but do not know if that applies to day 1 of swab summer. You can call the admissions office - I'm sure that anyone that answers the phone can find the answer. There is also a POC for medical questions - Shannon.E.Castineira@uscga.edu. If you want to see the handbook with all of the information you will need for swab summer - just search for Class of 2026 (this year's handbook isn't up there yet). Lots of great information in there.
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Getting "taped" is definitely available at the Academy. My DD is a rugby player and though the scale # is always usually the range for her height, she has never had an issue.
That said, you will find more success at the Academy if you work on your fitness, including cardio, weight training and healthy eating habits. Unlike a standard liberal arts or State college, physical activity is an every day part of your schedule and life at the Academy.
 
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