OK, sorry I keep asking about this. I asked if recruiters are taught how to administer a tape test, and received mainly the same answer that they will fudge things if they can to meet quota. I'm now wondering if the way they "fudge" things (I don't know if that's true or not) is to kind of alter the way they measure. It seems pretty subjective, especially around the hips. I always imagine that to be at the hip bone, which is where I was measured, not down around the butt, which is where I thought they were supposed to do it. Anyway, should I worry too much? It seems like they should know how to do their job and would measure properly. Ok, I think there may be a question buried in here! Sorry! Thanks.
2007-11-04 17:35:58 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
There are specific guidelines for where the measurements are to be taken. You may get many different responses on here as the measurements are performed differently on males and females (due to the different distribution of body fat). You will also find that you will get different answers from people in the different services. Some of the services seem to be more stringent with the tape requirements than others. As to the AF officer's statement that they can allow the service member to suck in as much as possible. That actually is against the regulations. Many times the person performing the tape test while on actiive duty will keep the service members talking so they cannot suck in their breath. The measurements are supposed to be made while standing normally, not sucked in. There is also a prescribed uniform for the Army so that nothing could be used to hold the service member in.
Most recruiters will perform their duties properly, that does not mean that all will.
(Incidentally, after I finished my career, I had developed breath control, so that I could suck in completely, and continue talking, as I said, it is against the regs, but it is often done.)
2007-11-04 18:24:36 · answer #1 · answered by US_DR_JD 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We measure waist right above the hip bone.. generally they tell you to take a deep breath, let it out and then they measure you. They usually measure you 3 times, and take the average of the 3 measurements just in case its different each time, which it will be.... alot of people have found it easy to learn how to suck in and still talk so that their waist is smaller. Its pretty retarded how they do body fat, atleast in the AF, because a woman is pretty much guaranteed 30 pts on her fit test from her waist from body fat... where-as guys get screwed.
2007-11-05 15:05:33 · answer #2 · answered by Sharpie211 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not around the HIPS either, it's around the waist, above the hip bones. You *could* conceivably fudge it by allowing the person to suck in their stomach as much as possible (which isn't expressly stated as against the rules). I guess a reason for this would be that the person would most likely end up losing weight (and therefore waist size) at basic training anyway.
2007-11-05 01:44:48 · answer #3 · answered by promethius9594 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your recruiter can measure you any way they choose to but it's the method that they use during the physical that counts. Since their goals and quotas are dependent on your enlisting it is in their best interest to do it correctly.
2007-11-05 01:53:39 · answer #4 · answered by xtowgrunt 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't really matter what the recruiters get, unless they're helping you slim down, and therefore checking from time to time. It's when you go to MEPs that it counts, but I'm pretty sure the recruiters wouldn't screw it up, because if you don't pass at MEPs, then it doesn't matter whether they tried to slip you pass the requirements.
2007-11-05 15:08:14 · answer #5 · answered by ruthaford_jive 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, your recruiter is doing it right. If he has already measured you and you pass the required measurement, you have nothing to worry about. chill bro you slim down dramatically in basic.
2007-11-05 01:42:21 · answer #6 · answered by Mr. This Guy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋