Should Height/Weight be Disregarded if the PT Score is High Enough?

Welcome to the Air Force. Joke as much as you want, but the AF figured this out like 10 years ago. If you pass a PT test it doesnt matter how much you weigh as long as you present a proffesional appearence in uniform.

I met a guest speaker at the National Security Agency. He was being honored as an example of dedication to duty in protecting classified information. On a helicopter mission in Vietnam, in retrieving Communications Security documents, he showed his disregard of his own life by refusing to leave any behind. Evidence was the number of enemy bayonet stabs he received. If he were within body height/weight standards, would he have been able to survive? The extra body mass protected his vitals organs. He was awarded the Medal of Honor.

when I was in the Marines, your height and weight is usually waived when you are a 1st and 2nd class PT stud and you appearances is not of a fat body. we go by fat percent with the pincher. Individuals may be super big through muscle size.

Funny this idea came from a cannon cocker... well not really, it’s only funny because it reminded me of one of my favorite gun bunnies.... I’ll just call him the Big Spin.... this cat was huge, I mean he was able to fit in his uniform, but he was a mountain of a man.... Long story short, this guy would max an APFT any time anywhere.... but had a hard time passing tape.... stupid sad.... the army was unable to retain such a good trippy cause well we cling to a flawed system

Some soldiers or sailors weren’t built to Mil-spec. There should some flexibility in the system.

I had a friend denied re-enlistment in the 80s. He was a body builder, in great shape, but the tape measure specs at the time said he was over weight.

So out he went.

I hope things have changed.

I kind of agree with the above statement. This is not about looks, it is about performance. I serve with another NCO that look like fridge, but max his PT test all the time and was a Ranger to boot. Not a go to school, get your tab ranger. He came from one the Battalions to our unit. A big difference. He look like a linebacker but move as quick as a wide receiver.

It’s funny I was getting taped at 185 and I maxed my pt test. I feel like if you max why tape

I am 5'9" and 220-230lbs. with a 29-30" waist. I am considered 35-45lbs overweight. My APFT has never been below a 260 and I have two years of over 300 + the extended scale because well when you are in country for 18 months what else do you have to do besides patrols and working out. I always thought it was ridiculous that I had to be taped and a note in every one of my APFT when turning it in for schools that required one.

I’m 5’ 9.5” and was 197# and only 16% body fat. Failed height/weight every time. Glad my command understood the difference between a fat ass and someone who was weight training semi professionally.

I body build and so for the last 7 years I have been taped. I max my pushups, situps often and have bench pressed 410lbs on decline bench. But according to Army weight standards I am over by 50 lbs. I always pass my tape. I do have a big neck. It ranges as high as 20.5 inches to 19.5 when I lose some weight. Personaly I feel if you can scire high on your PT test and do your job to hell with their master race program if having stick figure men in the military.