WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR SPOUSE DOESN'T MEET THE MILITARY HEIGHT AND WEIGHT REQUIREMENTS?

It is a requirement for military service members to meet specific height and weight standards, as it is a vital component to the actions being performed in the military. Additionally, balance and discipline is one of the most important characteristics one can possess in the military.

Failure to meet military height and weight requirements can result in being discharged from the military, being transferred, being reenlisted, losing opportunities, and ineligibility for promotion.

Therefore, it’s also very important to note that there are ways to make sure that these requirements are met. Learn more about the requirements, and what happens if your spouse doesn't meet them.

Military Height and Weight Requirements

Of course, males and females are different, so the requirements for each are different from each other. Everyone should understand that the height and weight standards set by the military are important for anyone currently serving or planning to join, regardless of gender.

These standards play a big role in overall readiness, health, and performance. Therefore, these requirements need to be met by those who are planning to join or are currently serving in the military.

1. Army Height and Weight Requirement: In the Army, the height range for males in the military is between 60 and 80 inches (152 to 203 centimeters), and for weight, depending on height, it should be 132 to 243 pounds (60 to 110 kilograms).
   
   For females, the height requirement is between 58 to 80 inches (147 to 203 centimeters), and for the weight, it should be between 119 to 227 pounds (54 to 103 kilograms).
2. Marine Corps Height and Weight Requirement: For the Marine Corps, the height of males should be 58-78 inches (147-198 centimeters), and their weight should be between 148 and 267 pounds (67-121 kilograms).
   
   Females should be 58-72 inches (147-183 centimeters) in height and weigh 120 to 184 pounds (54 to 83 kilograms).
3. Air Force Height and Weight Requirement: The Air Force has an equal weight requirement, so the acceptable height for both males and females is in the range of 58 to 80 inches (147 to 203 centimeters), while heights are between 131 and 250 pounds (59 to 113 kilograms).
4. Navy Height and Weight Requirement: Both height requirements for males and females in the Navy range from 57 to 80 inches (145 to 203 centimeters), and the weight range for men is between 127 to 241 pounds (58 to 109 kilograms). For women, it should only be from 127 to 227 pounds (58 to 103 kilograms).

Can You Be Discharged For Not Meeting the Height and Weight Requirements?

The short answer is, no. You can't be discharged from the military if you fail to meet the height and weight requirements. However, failing to meet these requirements could lead to a separation.

If your spouse is in the Army and doesn't meet body fat standards, this could lead to a Chapter 18 separation.

Active service members who exceed the height/weight standards can be referred to ABCP (Army Body Composition Program), which involves them following a structured process to fulfill the standards.

Typically, your spouse will be given opportunities for remedial training, and access to weight management programs. They will be given specific instructions to support their weight loss journey.

If they don't make satisfactory progress, they may face administrative actions, like a loss of privileges. Additionally, counseling services may be provided to help your spouse fulfill the requirements.

Last year, the Navy relaxed their fitness test rules, ending the policy where Sailors who failed a second physical fitness assessment were barred from advancing or reenlisting. This change provided command leadership discretion on retention recommendations.

Supporting the Fitness Journey of Your Spouse

Before you start planning meals or workouts for your spouse, what you can do first is to focus on being there emotionally because they might be beating themselves up, so adding extra pressure on the situation might not help.

They probably need someone who can remind them that one setback doesn’t remove all the hard work that they did, so let them be upset and just listen without trying to solve it because, let’s be honest, they might be afraid of that could it possibly mean for their career or ashamed to tell other service members, so be the first one to be a soft place they can have.

Nutrition and Fitness You Can Do Together

Emotional support is important, but taking action will actually also help. So, one of the supportive things you can do is to take a team-based approach to nutrition and exercise, meaning you do everything together.

It can be preparing balanced meals together, setting shared fitness goals, or maybe even going on daily walks as a couple. This can help your spouse stay on track and can even strengthen your relationship because you are both committing to healthier habits.

For your spouse to meet the military height and weight requirements, there are a few ways you can do this together:

1. Stay consistent with nutritious meals throughout the week, and do meal prep on Sundays, which can help you both track your meals.
2. Make sure to cut empty calories, so avoid sugary drinks and just take water.
3. Building endurance while bonding is also important, and what you can do is have nightly thirty-minute walks or even jogs.
4. If you still have the time, you can join a gym membership or do some fitness classes together.
5. With meal preps, you can also make new healthy recipes, which can also make eating more exciting.

It’s Also About Your Long-Term Health

Failing to meet military height and weight requirements for the military​ can mean your spouse can’t serve, which we are trying to avoid and take action. But let’s also keep in mind that with this, it’s also an opportunity for your spouse to assess their long-term health, so focus less on the short-term numbers and think about the long-term effects it can have on their health.

Yes, it can remove confidence, it can also be overwhelming, but don’t feel too bad if your spouse is not able to pass the military height and weight requirements, because in reality, they didn’t fail. It’s a starting point where they can take action and take care of their body, so while they work on themselves, support is the best we can offer to them, and this is a kind of strength that no measurement can compare to.

Read next:

• Army Says Women in Combat Roles Must Now Pass the Same Army Fitness Test as Men
• Want to Make $360,000? Marine Corps Unveils New List of Bonuses
• Thinking About Military Retirement? Here's What You Should Know Before You Leave the Military

Sources:

• What Height and Weight Do I Need for the Military?