Under Army's weight minimum: What do you do?

2014-05-20T20:07:02-04:00

You have a Soldier who comes in under the Army's minimum weight for their age and height. What do you do? Do you flag them? Do you counsel them? Do you add rocks to their pockets and step on the scale? (I do not recommend the last one).

What would you do? What should you do? What does the regulations state?

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made May 20 at 2014 8:17 PM

2014-05-20T20:17:24-04:00

CPT M, in my unit we have one that is 94 lbs. He is on double rations and can't seem to gain an ounce. I think a 10 mile an hour gust wind can knock him over. He can't eat much either and we really can't force him to eat like others do. Kid is so tiny. Like barely 5 ft tall. Counseling won't help him on this matter.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2014 2:25 PM

2014-05-27T14:25:06-04:00

I remember encountering a few of these individuals back in Basic Training. They were put on double rations and the Drill Sergeants watched them like hawks to ensure they ate everything. Nutrition counseling to make sure they are eating well and evaluating their PT program may be called for. They would qualify for "special population" as they may need extra attention to put on weight and build mass. Many people that are that underweight are "skinny-fat" and can barely pass the APFT standards.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2014 11:35 AM

2014-08-09T11:35:21-04:00

Not speaking so much on underweight individuals, but those individuals who we all know are not trying at PRT in the morning. Those individuals who go home and don't PT on their own and they know they need it. Those individuals who go and eat a whole large pizza knowing they are already fudging that line.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Jan 13 at 2015 12:04 PM

2015-01-13T12:04:37-05:00

Sir !!! quit running them 24/7 and feed them more than crumbs and water...we all know your a die hard lean mean killing machine but have mercy !!!!! Seriously... get them on weight gainer.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2016 3:45 PM

2016-05-03T15:45:56-04:00

Just found out my nephew is trying to reenlist and his senior leaders are telling him, all of the sudden, he is flagged for being under weight. He was never counseled, referred for a medical evaluation, or informally notified until he decided to re-up. Who stands up for the privates and advocates for them when the command is poisonous?

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2016 4:08 PM

2016-05-03T16:08:26-04:00

We had to weigh in every week. I was six pounds over minimum. The first Sgt told me he would put some weight on me. Gave me a midnight chow pass to eat a second supper every day and ordered me to drink at least two beers a day. I faithfully followed his orders and ate the second supper every night. Weighed in the following week losing 5 of those six pounds. Sometimes things just don't work as planned.

He took back my chow pass!

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Sep 30 at 2016 10:18 PM

2016-09-30T22:18:00-04:00

I would send him or her to a dietitian and Maybe they Can help with a program to increase there weight. I remember sending one of my troops to weight loss clinic and I had counseled him before he went and I told Him that he would not be considered for promotion until he lost the weight if Not He would be discharged.

Response by MAJ John Knight made Aug 16 at 2019 1:05 PM

2019-08-16T13:05:39-04:00

Soak him in water and weigh him again.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2020 4:14 PM

2020-06-19T16:14:27-04:00

I’m currently a few pounds under the minimum for my height. I’m being sent to the promotion board soon, my 1SG is weighing me today to see if I’m below still and plans to flag me...I was evaluated by an 0-6 back in November and said I was completely healthy and just have a hyper metabolism. I’m on the fence on whether to re-enlist or to get out. If I get flagged for something dumb like this, I may end up just saying screw it and cut my ties with the army.