What happens if I’m 5 pounds overweight at meps?

2019-11-29T01:31:37-05:00

My height is 5’5 and I weight 155 pounds I’m overweight what happens if I go like that to meps, I’ve been doing diet and exercise but I think I won’t make to be at 150 pounds this Tuesday

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2019 1:42 AM

2019-11-29T01:42:41-05:00

Caloric deficit is probably the quickest way down. Cut your calories to a third of what is normal and you will cut the weight (not recommended)

The army does not go strictly off of weight. If you fail the HT/WT portion, you will be taped to ensure you meet the authorized body fat percentage

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2019 1:56 AM

2019-11-29T01:56:11-05:00

Personally I think that the DoD has to change their h/w standars seing as how they haven’t changed since the Vietnam era (don’t quote me on that). I believe that as long as you don’t look like garbage in uniform and you pass your pt test (regardless of branch) it shouldn’t be an issue. I was in the Marines and I was out for a year and a half before coming to the Army, when I went to MEPS I had to get taped... seeing as how you’re only a handfull of pounds over I would try and cut it (sauna sauna sauna) but you should be good on tape. Best of luck on Tuesday though.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2019 8:43 AM

2019-11-29T08:43:15-05:00

You will be given a tape test. If you’re just a few pounds over the weight limit then you should pass unless you’re one of those guys with an odd body build (key to passing tape is small stomach and large neck).

I agree with the other poster here that the military needs to update their height and weight tables to match what is typical these days and not based off the archaic BMI scale. I’ve seen people score in the high 200’s in their PT test and be a beast in the gym fail tape and get put in the fat program.

If you’re just a few pounds over weight you can cut that weight by just doing a lot of cardio and a low carb lower calorie diet for a few days.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2019 10:00 AM

2019-11-29T10:00:37-05:00

If you are overweight, you'll get taped. If you pass tape, your're good. Since you are stating that you have to be no more than 150 lbs, I'm guessing you are between 17-20 years of age, so that means your maximum allowable body fat % is 30%. If you have to be taped, just be under 30%

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Nov 29 at 2019 11:07 AM

2019-11-29T11:07:16-05:00

I can't believe the army would not accept a young volunteer that is 5 pounds over weight. The exercise and diet in Basic is almost a guarantee you will lose about 15 pounds more or less but you should be a little below 150 pounds.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2019 11:29 AM

2019-11-29T11:29:21-05:00

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member Enjoy upcoming adventures and challenges. Good luck.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Nov 29 at 2019 2:11 PM

2019-11-29T14:11:27-05:00

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member I had the same sort of issue. I'm 5'5 and weighed in at 142.... YET, I wore a size 3. My commander gave me a waiver because I was not over weight by any means... What they should do is go by BMI and not weight. Good luck.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2019 2:24 PM

2019-11-29T14:24:13-05:00

PV2 Linan based on the information you gave, I assume you fall into the 17 - 20 year old age group. Yes 150 pounds is the maximum authorized weight for that age group, therefore you will need to be taped. In accordance with army regulation (AR) 600-9 (dated 16 July 2019) page 25, you are authorized to be at no more than 30% body fat after being taped. As long as you are at 30% body fat or under you will be fine. Do not stress over something as minimal as this. From now until then watch what you eat and drink, do some cardio, and relax. You will be fine.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2019 4:43 PM

2019-11-29T16:43:47-05:00

When I re-entered the military I was overweight. They took my weight, but didn’t tape me. My recruiter taped me to ensure I met or was under the body fat percentage for my height. Since you e made it to MEPS your recruiter should of given you a GO for height and weight. Just keep working out and go on a diet if they say otherwise.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Nov 29 at 2019 4:53 PM

2019-11-29T16:53:07-05:00

I have gone to Meps and hopped on the exact scale I was gonna use later.. avoid the hassle lose the 5 pounds.

Response by Maj John Bell made Nov 29 at 2019 5:51 PM

2019-11-29T17:51:37-05:00

Well... we can't tell you but...

P.S. If I need to apologize let me know.