Why wont the Army let certain people in?

Question

They are coming up short on all recruting goals. We are lacking 10,000-20,000+ troops yet certain people want in but they wont let them. I will use myself for example, I am overweight by the Army's stanards. I told them well it is kind of a win win situation, you all get another solider and you all help me lose the weight. Yet they turned me away. Why wont the Army loosen its requirments to allow more people to join? I am an ex-football player (HS-College) I am a big guy yet very athletic.

I am healthy right now. I do all the things you mentioned and do eat healthy. I am in shape and would have no problem doing what they do in basic training. Just because I am overweight does not mean I am not self-disciplined. I am not a big lazy guy. I am just a natural big guy, my gut DOES NOT hang over my pants!!!! lol I had to put that in there because I am not like your normal fat guy

I gurantee you I would have no problem with Boot Camp. Hell I could probably beat out alot of the smaller guys who meet the stanards

they did not meet there goals. They reported this mourning that there recruting year ended oct.1 and did not meet there goals and they already predicted they will not meet it next year either because they already are so far behind. I will post a link as soon as I get it.

by no means am I a bad-a** lol if they did a pinch test I am in easy (which is more acurate then tape) but since they do tape I am over slightley

would they be diluteing it though? not everybody will come running thats over the stanards. it wont even really help them meet there goals but few hundred more soliders is better then none

all the hard work for me???????? I would be doing all the hard work. Certain people cant go below certain stanards. If you all saw me, you wouldnt even think I weigh as much as I do.

i lift weights, I guess I should stop that if I wont to lose the weight. I am at a very healthy weight right now but a lot of it is because of muscle though

I have no health problems what so ever

Funny thing is, the army calls me every 2 weeks or so to see if I lost any weight. Every Since I went in for the tape and they took my info, they call me every once and a while to check up on me.
Yes I am overweight a little, but is an overweight person not allowed to be in shape? Just because I am over the weight, its like I get tossed to the side just because they assume I cant do what they require.

Answer 1

Army Regulation 600-9 is the weight control regulation which has been in effect since the early 1970's and is very strictly enforced by the U.S. Army. The issue at hand is AR 600-9 refers to min/max weight vs. height charts for all members of the Army, one chart for female and another for male.

The Army's position is simply enough, if you are 5 Foot 9 Inches for example, you're maxium weight is 175 pounds. If you are over that weight ceiling regardless of how fit and trim you might believe yourself, you are overweight according to Army Standards.

Your suggestion that the Army loosen or adjust this regulation makes sense, however to date, the Chief of Staff of the Army has elected to lower the bar and accept those with minor criminal records over those who are slightly overweight. Do you know any good lawyers who won't charge you an arm and a leg???

Answer 2

Boot camp is only so long (8 weeks for Army, I think), and one can only lose so much weight in that time frame. If, at the end of boot camp, you're unable to meet the basic fitness requirements, you're sent to a remedial fitness class. I believe you have a month to pass this class, but I could be wrong on the length of time. If you don't pass the fitness requirements then, you're discharged.

I technically have asthma, but I rarely use my inhaler. Despite that, the Air Force won't let me serve as a Linguist, even though that's a high demand position.

If you go on a military website, or even doa google search, you can see exaclty what they expect you to do by the end of boot camp. If you really want to join, I would suggest training yourself. Aim to meet the last week fitness goals before you even go in; that's what my best friend did and, as a result, didn't mind boot camp at all.

Answer 3

The Army use to have some pretty liberal weight standards compared to the Marines. If you are as self disciplined as you say, loose the extra 30 lbs or so and show back up at the recruiters. Then you can show them what a Bad-A** you are in basic. In the effort to loose the extra weight, you should find yourself in even better shape than you imagined.

If you really want to be in the Army, then it is within your control to get there. You can show the recruiter that you have what it takes. Good Luck.

Answer 4

Here are a few reasons.
1. Health. They do not want people who they believe will simply wash out in basic training. they put a lot of money into training and it is a huge waste of money to try and train someone then have them leave.

2. Health. They do not want to bring in people with a higher likelyhood that the individual we become a larger burder on the VA healthcare system than the average citizen. (Asthma works for 1 and 2 and I have Asthma.. :( )

3. Education and intelligence. contrary to liberal thought, the average soldier is both more intelligent AND more educated tahn the average citizen. Dumb soldiers make dead soldiers. Dumb soldiers make bad political mistakes. (Ahbu Grab anyone?)

4. Age you must not be too young OR too old. See 1, 2 and 3 above for some of the reasons.

Does this help any?

Answer 5

Wow, I wont lie when I first went in I was over weight by Army standards but was way under my tape, you will loose weight during BCT but also gain muscle, Just stop lifting and loose the weight, I am not sure if its harder to do that for you as per the people who are under weight to gain.

I was at the hospital yesterday and there was an E6 talking to another Soldier in regards to him about to get Chapter out because he is over weight, I agree the Army needs bodies , but they wont change standards for a few people, just loose the weight and you will be fine if that is the only thing you must do then do it...

Good Luck!!!
Armywife & Soldier

Answer 6

there are standards for a reason. It isn't the military's job to help you lose weight, their job is to wage war. they can't waste time with someone who may or may not be able to lose the weight ON THEIR OWN.

If you want this, then find a way to make it happen. Don't expect the Military to do all the hard work for you.

The Army already has the laxest requirements overall of all the Branches. But even they have a limit to what they are willing to waive.

Answer 7

If you are actually in shape but just a "big guy" then see if you can get a waiver. When my husband enlisted (in '02) he was considered over by a few pounds.(He's 6' and was about 200 lbs) BUT he was big because he worked out all the time and was taking creatine. He had to go with his recruiter to see someone else and let them look at him to see that it was muscle and not fat. (Because at that point he failed the tape test because like I said he was really muscular) Took a little longer for him to be able to enlist but it finally got done. (BTW He came out of basic at only 175 because he trimmed down and lost most of his muscle mass.....he was stronger but looked so tiny compared to when he went in....I didn't even recognize him!)
Now if they won't allow you to do that then try going on a really strict diet to get down to what you need to be at....maybe cut back on the weight lifting and if you are taking supplements (like creatine, etc) then stop taking it.

Answer 8

The military is NOT a job, it is a commitment to defend this counntry. When they take you on it is for a definite term and the need to get you into the swing of things RIGHT NOW. You and your excess weight are NOT their problem and they are not an extention of Jenny Craig. While you are a civilian get yourself in order if you want to be inthe military, but don;t expect them to provide you with a spa and facial while you are gettin ready to defend this country.

When they take you in you will be in BOOTCAMP maximun within ONE WEEK of arrival. You cannot be too much over weight as you will wash out of basic training. BT is a tough, strainous, and difficult experience even for reasonably in shape people. Waiting for you to get into minimum shape is better left to you and the outside world rather then inside the military.

Answer 9

All branches have parameters for the physical attributes they demand of their personnel. The criteria is far more comprehensive and complex than it seems on the surface. Factors include equipping each person with uniforms, arms, and gear that not only fit the individual, but fit the practical integrity of that individual as part of a unit. If you or anyone cannot be accommodated in that manner, you just are not acceptable. Period.

Answer 10

You tells a good story girl. One that has some truth in it as well. Too many handouts by far given over here to those not deserving. Some poorly paid people earn less than is paid out to dossers. It stinks. Roll on polling day on Thursday - up the blues