Military Standards?

[Iamero]

Just got back to lifting again after about 2 years off...man what a difference that makes and how far back I've gone! Some of the workouts like squatting I am back to high school weights and it sucks.

Anyways, I was reading requirements for some of the different branches of the military. I noticed the Airforce said for my height (6' 1") max weight is 208 lbs. Nothing like the military requirements (both weight and physical) to make me feel fat!

If I'm serious about joining the airforce then how strict is that? I'm 215-218 on any given day and although two days a week at the gym are focused on cardio and fat burn/LMM gains, most of it is for muscle building. So muscle building + minimal intentional low calorie dieting/fat burning = very low to no drop in weight.

So is that it? They only want skinny guys in the airforce? I get that they don't want obese guys but with a 6' 4" wingspan (yea I'm a gorilla), I have a pretty heavy mass for my height.

Definitely some fat could be burnt but I wanted some input before I decide to do anything for weight loss.

 

[Andy@vprc]

You may be within standards of body fat percentage. I would recommend loosing the weight though. In the USMC some really fit guys always walk the line because of the max weight. You'll have much more hassle your whole career if you are over weight even if you pass tape.

 

[BravoSector1]

Assuming you're in the under 30 YOA group the below data gives you an idea of requirements. The USAF has a decade age group breakout for changes to requirements so: 0-30 YOA one standard. Standards are slightly relaxed compared to the below for the 30-40 YOA crowd. After 40 YOA, if you're in shape, it's not that difficult. As a three time squadron commander I've shown a number of Airman the front gate for not meeting minimum physical fitness standards. This is after 4 attempts to pass their PFT with a mountain of assistance to do so. Some choose this path to leave the USAF once they realize they're not compatible with military service. It's an other than honorable discharge so there are impacts on GI bill, etc. Much discussion internally about the pros and cons of current PFT requirements and whom it should apply to. That's a rabbit hole to enter. Not here to argue that...as this is the game that must be played to pass go and collect $200.

Attachment 13

TABLE A13.1. MAXIMUM BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) STANDARDS: Represents Maximum Allowable Weights for BMI of 25 kg/m2 (regardless of age and gender)
Height (inches)	58	59	60	61	62	63	64	65	66	67	68	69	70	71	72	73	74	75	76	77	78	79	80
Weight (pounds)	119	124	128	132	136	141	145	150	155	159	164	169	174	179	184	189	194	200	205	210	216	221	227

Physical Fitness Test standards for males under 30 YOA.
1.5 mile Run Time: 60 points/60% of the PFT
- Max points: less than or equal to 9:12 run time
- Min points: 13:15-13:36 run time

Body Composition (waist measurement: 20 points/20% of PFT (Big guys, particularly heavy weight lifters, get in trouble here)
- Max Points: less than or equal to 32.5" waist
- Min Points: less than or equal to 39.0" waist

Pushups
- Max Points: Greater than or equal to 67 pushups in one minute
- Min Points: 44 pushups in one minute

Situps
- Max Points: Greater than or equal to 58 situps in one minute
- Min Points: 42 situps in one minute

NOTE: Meeting minimum requirements in all 4 components WILL NOT get you a passing PT score of 75 points. There are many more in the weeds "what if's" contained in the 147 page AFI that details these requirements.

You'll see from the current requirements that "endurance", and those whom train for that, tend to do better on the PFT. If you score a 90 or above it's annual requirement. 89 and below and you test every 6 months. Any "exemptions from the test" at all and it's an automatic every 6 months. Example: Sprained ankle during PT, doc places you on a running profile and your PT test is due, you'll take all components minus the run and if you pass we'll see you in 6 months.

 

[pmclaine]

Why not go easy on your joints and bone structure?

Swim 3-4 times a week for an hour.

15 minutes of leg kicking with a board

15 minutes of breast stroke

15 minutes of multi stroke, 1 lap side stroke right lat, 1 lap side stroke left lat, up and back freestyle, repeat.

15 minutes "crabbing", sit in the water, legs crossed straight out in front of you, pull yourself backwards through the water, like doing flys

On non swim days do some moderate weights, cardio on the street or a tread mill.

With the swimming you will cut weight fast, work your whole body, and still pretty much be able to eat whatever you want.

The swimming ability will benefit you in the mil. Lots of sinkers in there.

Dont start at 15 minutes each swim excercise. Work up from 5 minutes each excercise.

 

[black5.3]

I would lose the weight as well to make your life easier in boot camp and your follow on training. I was under max weight my first several years in the USMC, then i got serious into lifting weights and eating a ton. I was almost 18lbs over my max the last hear and a half i was in and had to be taped at every weigh in. I had great pct/cft scores but every person that was over max had to be taped to note whatever your measurements are.... what im saying is that its easier to be in spec before you start your military service.

 

[Iamero]

Good to know. I'm down from 218 to 213. Shouldn't be too hard to get down to 200 if that's all I'm trying to do. When I stopped working out last time (was going about 8 months strong) I was 195.

 

[Matches Malone]

Thing about Marine Corps standards is fitreps are based on cardio based fitness, but usefulness is strength and endurance. Standards are just that. A check in the box. the combat fitness test is useless to measure combat fitness. The stuff you should be in shape for are the things the inevitably mess you up later on like rucks with 80lbs pack....or having the honor of training in bridgeport.

 

[black5.3]

Haha if you go to bridgeport your almost guaranteed to lose 10-15 pounds.... you shiver the pounds off.

 

[cronos0000]

Rules are rules buddie, if you want to get enlisted you have to meet up to requirements.

 

[3rdfocal]

I suggest you just ask a recruiter. Anyone else shouldn't be considered "up to speed" on current enlistment requirements.

 

[Strykervet]

That goddamn archaic tape test shit has GOT to go! Cost me a lot of trouble in the army. I couldn't starve myself to 184 fucking pounds if I tried, and I did. I had a phenomenal PT score (would have been 400 had I maxed the run; closest I got was 97 on the run and 100 on everything else). Still got put in fat boy remedial PT!!! Went and got fat tested by a doctor at Madigan, measured via electrical conductivity AND floatation... Didn't sway 1SG one fucking bit. They treated me like shit for something I had zero control over and tried endlessly to rectify via the truth.

Now in pogue units, I saw fat fuckers all the time. Air Force seemed more like a job, we used to go eat there because it was more laid back and the post was nicer (until it got merged with Ft Lewis).

AF is a lot more slack in shit like that than combat arms, they want mean and lean, just some of them are too fucking stupid to realize that lean and mean comes in a few different packages.

And yeah, this impacts taller people far more than shorter ones for a multitude of reasons. It's simply unfair and there are better ways of measuring body fat.

But if you are what, 220 or so? You'll lose that in basic, especially during the summer. I'm guessing they do PT in AF but to what degree I can't say.

Stop lifting weights, start running. Running makes your thinner, lighter and faster and that's what they want. Run, run, run. See Spot run? Spot runs fast. Spot wants to be a grunt.

 

[ianagos]

Well I don't know about the air force but the USMC has allowed people who can't tape out to stay in as long as the get a 285 or above pft. Maybe the air force is doing a similar thing? Also goodluck on helicopters im 5'-10" and with helmet and nvgs I haven't been on a helicopter where I didn't get cloth lined randomly in the dark by something.

 

[witchazel]

Loose the weight.

 

[Iamero]

Yea I'm on a plan now that focuses heavily on the upper body around the chest, shoulders, and back so that when I drop down 20lbs I already have the muscle there. If I just strictly drop the weight without muscle development there then I am hardly ahead of where I am now. Easier to strengthen those muscle now while I'm on a full diet with plenty of protein than to do so while losing 20 lbs.

 

[pmclaine]

Instead of focusing on lifting heavy things and putting them down, think lift moderately heavy things and carry them as far as you can.

I get the idea that Arnold may be perceived as the ideal military body type but I really think William Defoe as Sgt Elias in Platoon actually performs tasks the mil has you do better.

Ruck, swim, run, climb rope, build your core.

Do these things with intensity and you will naturally lose weight.

Start small and build up or they will destroy you quickly just as they would Arnold if he ever had to do them.

I served with lots of guys that spent lots of time in the weight room. The bulk was an issue unless it was accompanied by very low body fat percentage.

When they went to the field almost all worried about losing their muscles and the juicing guys did start to shrivel fast.

The wiry guys made of muscle and sinew just kept going.