Posted on Jun 8, 2016
SPC Training Nco
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SPC Darren Koele
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Edited 9 y ago
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Absolutely. Height/weight tell very little of an individual's story. This is normally where I tell a story involving anecdotal evidence. Instead of doing that this time, let me show you a picture:
JJ Watt - Height: 6'5", Weight 289lbs. Using the height/weight calculation, this equlsl a BMI of 34.1.
JJ Watt is morbidly obese.

Think about it. Under military regulations, he would be forced out the service.
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SGM Erik Marquez
SGM Erik Marquez
9 y
You do not there is no "height/weight calculation" that sets the standard to chapter under AR 600-9 yes?
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SGT Assistant Team Leader
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Under the current system the Army may as well just order a large quantity of Abercrombie and Fitch posters with the caption of "All soldiers are directed to look like this as- except for the haircuts. And being all white. Non-white soldiers may retain their issued skin tone"
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SFC Bde Mobility Nco
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Yes. Will they do it? That is the question.
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SSG Pete Fleming
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Edited 9 y ago
This is a thorn and both current and former members should reply. I think it should reflect the actual endurance and physical needs of the job (the whole military). There needs to be a standard, and a way to measure it. But it is not fair... An over weigh person with a big neck could pass tape with a body builder with a small neck would fail... I am not sure if it is still that dumb but...
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SPC Training Nco
SPC (Join to see)
9 y
That's essentially what Im getting at. a 300+ lb soldier with a 18+ inch neck will pass depending on age/what their body fat allotment is. Still doesn't mean they can run/push/do their job anymore. They'll be pushed into the S shops as a desk worker.
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SSG Pete Fleming
SSG Pete Fleming
9 y
SPC (Join to see) - Funny 14 years later and this is still an issue... The military tries to be social experiment in all the wrong areas. Adjust the standard to fit the need. But at the same time... get rid of the outdated means to measure body mass.
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CW5 Jack Gaudet
CW5 Jack Gaudet
9 y
I worked with a body builder which had a very low body fat percentage but was processed for discharge because he could not make the tape. Had another SM which worked for me and while getting ready for BNCOC he lost a lot of weight and failed tape because he had lost a lot from the neck and was discharged. He was one of the best HAWK crewman that I knew, was not fat but was just a big guy.
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