Navy Maximum And Minimum Weight Standards

Meeting height and weight standards in the Navy as you progress in rank and age gets easier with more leniency due to typical weight gain as humans age. Losing weight and body fat as we age however, does not get easier. Meeting the standards at any age in the military requires effort. There are two things you can do to meet the standards with regards to the physical fitness standards as well as the body fat measurements that also occur twice a year.

Success with these Navy job requirements means you have to eat right and exercise. As we age, it becomes imperative to watch your caloric intake each day as it is near impossible to outwork your diet after 35-40 years old or older.

The Standards As Of 2018

The weight standards for the Navy are used to determine what further screening is needed for applicants. Only applicants not meeting the Navy weight standard for their height will be measured for body fat percentage. Body Fat Measurements are performed according to the instructions contained in OPNAV Instruction 6110.1J - PHYSICAL READINESS PROGRAM

Navy Maximum Height and  Weight Charts

Abdominal Circumference Measurement

If you exceed the weight on the weight charts, an abdominal circumference measurement will be taken. If your measurement is equal to 39 inches or less for men or 35.5 inches or less for women, you may still qualify. The measurement is taken on bare skin, at the uppermost hip bone with the arms at your sides and having exhaled.

Body Fat Measurement

If you don't qualify based on the height/weight chart and the abdominal circumference measurement, then further measuring is done to determine your body fat percentage at the Military Entrance Processing Station. For men, the limit is 26 percent body fat. It is determined by a neck measurement and abdomen measurement. For women, the limit is 36 percent body fat determined by a neck, waist, and hip measurement.

Navy Minimum Weights

If your Body Mass Index (BMI) is below 19, the Chief Medical Officer of the Military Entrance Processing Station will further assess you. This is done to determine if you have a medical or psychiatric condition that has resulted in being underweight. The physician will do a thorough medical history and examination.

You can be down to 17.5 BMI if you don't have an underlying problem and be qualified to serve. But you may be temporarily disqualified if you are below 17.5 BMI and given a four-day delay for each pound under the standard.

Yes, there is also a minimum height and weight standard for the military. If too short, too tall, or too thin, you may not be eligible for military service according to the above minimum standard chart. You will be measured at the recruiting station Medical Entry Processing Station (MEPS) to gain entry into the military, however, if you continue to lose weight while serving and not meet the standards above, you could be separated from the service.