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

I knew a career SSG that was wired in so tight to the good old boy network that he whipped test after test after test. That ancient DA photo kept him from going farther in his career. This was back in 1992-94 ish. I despised him! They finally threw a rope around him and he got a big severence check. He should have been charged with fraud. LEGITIMATE PT beasts can be as large as they want in my books. However, the Bradley turret is unforgiving! Some jobs can't accomdate the power-houses.

As I was on the larger side at 6'5" at 250 lbs I always max pushups and sit ups and also had a good time on the run while wearing boots. So yes I would agree that height and weight should be waived within the current max mins that are in place.

I was flagged as a young Soldier because I lost weight, but the full inch off my neck caused outpaced the loss in my gut. I knew my weight was down, so didn't worry about it. Whoops, I had to attend the month board and my promotion board twice after losing my promotable status. That said, I had a 280ish with 90 or better in each event, and I ran the Army 10 miler. I had also had a drastic weight loss and body composition shift. None of this was important, even after I failed on a Friday, but came back & passed on the following Monday. However, I have not failed since.

I say for the AF at least, get rid of the waist measurement and implement pull ups. I have never seen a fat guy do pull ups.

I thought height and weight was to help present a professional appearance.

Completely disagree
APFT scores do not preclude health issues due to obesity

Overweight appearance is still an issue if you can do 60 push-ups

While I agree the tape test has its flaws

Ignoring significant body fat simply because the SM can pass an APFT is not a solution to the problem

I don't think it should come into account if you can pass the PT & are in a shape that you do not appear to be the Pillbury doughboy in uniform. Shouldn't height/weight only matter for certain positions w/in the service, such as pilots? I mean, does your height/weight really matter if you are a predator operator or an admin clerk (not ragging on either, just using them to bring up a point).

I and my husband have actively discouraged our son from military service due to the height weight standards. My husband fought them for most of his career because his body type doesn't fit the formula (short, heavy muscled). He was required to stay under 180 to be in weight, which was nearly impossible without starvation diets. Yet, he passed the PT tests with better scores that men 10 years younger. Our son is built the same way. I would love the charts to be tossed and allow pass and fail by performance.

An old chief said, "the PT test should involve an obstacle course that included getting through a standard ship's scuttle."

Height and weight isn't about PT. It's about projecting an appearance that reflects positively on the Armed Services. The public isn't going to know you score a 300, and even if you told them it has no meaning to them. What they see and understand is your physique. Always remember: perception is reality.

Can I vote for option D: revamp the way we calculate BMI? There are other, more reliable methods out there. Yes some may take a little extra time and some minor resources, but when its somebody's career on the line I feel we need to be as accurate as possible. Then the question you have brought up SFC (Join to see) becomes moot.