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

When I joined ... nigh on 40 years ago. Body fat percentage was only for men, not women. (It was added for us sometime in my first year I believe.) Anyway I was an intercollegiate swimmer (specializing in fly) and a powerlifter. I went thru all my interviews, spoke to several recruiters and no one mentioned weight. Then, right as they were filling out the final paperwork, I had to hop on the scale for the official height/weight. Three male jaws collectively dropped to the floor, not believing I could weigh what the scale said ... about 35 pounds more than they thought! They said no matter, I'd pass body fat percentage, but they would need to call to find out how to do it for a female. That's when they found out ... no. I had to crash off 35 pounds of muscle to get in. And, although I enjoyed my service, there were times I regretted it because I was never able to attain close to that fitness level again. And I had to tape EVERY TIME, even though I passed the PT test. That's humiliating. So, I'm definitely on the passing the test should be enough, ESPECIALLY, with the new one.

1976 I went to basic in Ft Knox. I weighed 217 lbs. The drill sergeants stayed on my ass. Stood over my shoulder in the mess hall. I weighed 207 at graduations. I had always been pudgy and no bulging muscles. However I could do 60 push-ups and 100 sit-ups with no problem. In the 11th Cav I was on the fat boy program. I was able to do more reps of the foremention exercises. Plus I could do the two mile run in 13 minutes. I weighed 195 when I ETSed

I used to agree with you till my SFC brought up a good point. Yes you have grown strong with your body and you crushed your pt test.... But if you go down someone needs to pick you up. That is why we have height and weight standards

I trained hard to MAX all my APFT for 30- years. As a Drill Instructor for 3-years and an E7/E8 First Sergeant for 9-years, I have seen every fitness/ shape/size of our Troops, many could make 270 or better and not meet ht/wt standards. I was constantly involved with special PT programs trying to keep good soldiers by helping them meet those standards. I support meeting a specific APFT verses ht/wt standard only!

I totally agree especially with chicks like me I was Navy and I was 5'3 with a skinny neck and big boobs which is crap that your boobs count against you I was 1 lbs over but my scores were high

This has always been a frustration for me, trying to mash everyone into a some kind of standardized system. We are not all made the same. Prior my entering the Navy I wrestled in college at 191lbs my height is 5'7" and never met the height weight chart. Even though I would max out the PT. I was supposed to weight 160lbs according to the chart, of course that wasn't going to happen. So out comes the tape and you can get several different % of body weight readings from each person doing the measurement. I looked good in uniform and was always first or second on the PT test in my division. Depending on who was holding the tape it was off to sick call to have my lack of body fat inspected by the doc so I could get a passing PT test score, STUPID. If I was 5'10" would never had been a problem, three stinkin' inches go figure. One size fits all does not really work, do not the officers have any discretion to forgo all the BS signatures and negative entries that turns an outstanding PT score to a "pass".

I remember getting to my new unit at Lewis/Mchord. Right after taking a month of leave after leaving my base in Bamberg, Cermany, shortly after being deployed. I scored a 285 on my PT test. Higher than 95 percent of my platoon. Usually scored 300 without a problem but you know, a month of leave and all. My platoon sergeant congratulated me on my score, and then wrote me up for not passing my tape test. I am 6'2" and natuarly thick, but not fat. Pissed me off to no end. He was "moved to HQ" shortly after and my new platoon sergeant immediately removed me from the overweight list. He said he couldn't put one of his most fit soldiers on the overweight list and thought it ridiculous.

Sounds great except for the good ol boy system is still there, especially in guard and reserve. Not as prevalent, but still there. Otherwise a pretty good idea. I'll take a Soldier in my foxhole who is technically and tactically proficient who is 260 pounds and can score a 270 over someone who is 150 soaking wet and scores the same. Just make sure we get enough MRE's for the both of us.

Serving over 20 yrs I never once made the weight requirement. I always passed tape with flying colors and had about a 280 pt average. I think it's a great idea!

The current system was initiated because a past president didn’t like to see fat soldiers