Do you know a Servicemember flagged as too skinny?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Fri, 29 May 2015 13:57:50 -0400

I have a friend who tried more than once to join the Army. He was rejected both times because he was determined to be 'too thin' and 'too skinny.' Have you known a Servicemember who was flagged for being 'too thin' or 'too skinny?' Or have you known someone barred from service for being too thin?

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made May 29 at 2015 2:11 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Fri, 29 May 2015 14:11:04 -0400

closest I have seen was someone who had to gain 5 lbs to make minimum weight and a Col that actually had to get a height waiver to join.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 29 at 2015 2:16 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Fri, 29 May 2015 14:16:18 -0400

Yep, Been there, Done That. I first approached the Army and took the ASVAP Test and was going for Chinook Electrician. Unfortunately at 6'5" 129 lbs they couldn't take me. The Navy didn't have a problem with it they signed me in at 133 lbs with a Waiver to gain 10 lbs in Boot Camp and no one ever checked. Worked out better for me. 21 years a a Navy Communicator for the Intelligence Community.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 2:19 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 May 2015 14:19:31 -0400

Actually, I only got in because I bent my knees and was measured at 6'1" At 6'2" I weighed a pound under. It came back at the tail end of my career 26 years later when I needed that inch to not be over weight.

When I entered the Air Force, I had a 28 inch waist. I still have it, but during the energy crunch I added 14 inches of insulation. And today I weigh 125 pounds more than then.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made May 29 at 2015 2:21 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Fri, 29 May 2015 14:21:29 -0400

I was one of them. Actually because of my size, my recruiter advised me to eat junk food because basic training will whip me into shape easily anyway. I gained about 8 lbs before getting in.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 2:29 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 May 2015 14:29:21 -0400

Some guy who was at MEPS with me was 6 oz under weight.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 29 at 2015 2:32 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Fri, 29 May 2015 14:32:40 -0400

I joined at 108 (5'6"), which put me underweight when I joined. I was immediately placed on "double rations" during boot camp. At the end of boot camp I weighed 132. I never got "caught" underweight, but I was close a couple times, and it's amazing how many bananas you can eat when you need to.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 3:03 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 May 2015 15:03:07 -0400

I knew one.
Steve Rogers.

I was light when I joined, 127lbs, but it was still 10 pounds more than the minimum for me.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made May 29 at 2015 4:40 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Fri, 29 May 2015 16:40:43 -0400

When I joined in 1982, I was 6'2" and weighed 143 lbs. and had a 14 inch neck. I was in the underweight group. Just as they had fat boys they had a skinny group as well. When fat guys went through monkey bars 5 times, I went through once or twice. I got my bowl of cereal and the heavy guys would get their eggs and bacon, some DI would come along and switch our plates.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 5:14 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 May 2015 17:14:40 -0400

Guys at MEPS measured me at 74 inches instead of the 75 I usually measure. I've gained enough weight I don't have to worry about it.

Response by CMSgt Mike Esser made May 29 at 2015 6:31 PM

CMSgt Mike Esser — Fri, 29 May 2015 18:31:10 -0400

He'd fail USAF waist measure. :)

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made May 29 at 2015 8:48 PM

SrA Matthew Knight — Fri, 29 May 2015 20:48:56 -0400

Myself and two others were underweight when we got to BMT. The three of us were put on meal waivers which meant we went into the DFAC in front of the flight and could eat until the last person in the flight left. We usually didn't stay in there that long though, after all MTIs were hovering between tables and we didn't want to attract attention to ourselves.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2015 10:48 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 22:48:49 -0400

Right before my recruiter took me to MEPS, he did a height/weight and a few other checks last minute. I was all good EXCEPT that I was three pounds too light! Just one hotel-food dinner and breakfast later, I had squared myself away.

Response by SSgt Charles Edwards made Jun 26 at 2015 10:59 PM

SSgt Charles Edwards — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 22:59:22 -0400

Holy hell, if I had that physique back in the day I would max out on points on the waist measurement.

I can't believe someone would be deemed too skinny. Unless they are living an unhealthy lifestyle, not eating right or taking drugs, does it matter if they're a bit bony? One of my good friends I served with was and still is very thin himself. In fact, my nickname for him is Skeletor. He served in the Air Force for four years before joining the reserves. As far as I know, he's still in as a Technical Sergeant.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2019 5:53 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 May 2019 17:53:44 -0400

Service Member being flagged just for being "skinny"... well, Bull Sh*it. That doesn't exist. You're making thing up.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made May 11 at 2019 6:16 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Sat, 11 May 2019 18:16:00 -0400

Yes indeed. Never a women though. My best friends wife was way to skinny as s sp4. He married her after she got out. She was his clerk as sp/4. He was the xo. He was not sleeping with her but they played volleyball together. There was 15 year gap in their ages. Because of this he did not make general. COL. Below the zone to 04/05/06. Commanded a discom.