Weight rules now more stringent for Marines

[CommunityEditor]

Life just got a bit more miserable for Marines struggling to keep their weight in check.

Beginning immediately, the Corps wants all commanders to evaluate those Marines assigned to the service’s body composition program, a six-month rehab designed to help troops comply with the Corps’ stringent weight standards. Those deemed “out of standard” after their evaluation must begin the BCP again, said Col. Brian McGuire, physical readiness programs officer at Training and Education Command in Quantico, Va.

The Corps outlined the new BCP guidelines in a Sept. 9 Marine administrative message. The new rules state that Marines assigned to their first BCP must complete all six months — even if they meet the Corps’ rigid weight standards sooner, the MarAdmin states.

The program, which requires most Marines to maintain no more than 18 percent body fat, “promotes a longer-lasting weight loss strategy,” McGuire said.

Moreover, it shows no kindness to troops facing administrative separation for failing to comply with weight regulations — even if they managed to drop the excess weight after separation procedures began.

“Marines being processed for discharge secondary to BCP failure are being done so after a lengthy period in which many opportunities and resources have been afforded to them in order to return to standards,” McGuire said.

Commandant Gen. James Conway introduced the more rigid BCP in August along with a new “military appearance program.” Both are part of his effort to forge leaner Marines.

In an Aug. 8 All-Marine message, Conway took umbrage with Marines who fail to meet the Corps’ high standards for fitness and appearance, demanding that commanders hold Marines accountable for failing to meet standards.

The new appearance program allows individual commanders more leeway to determine if a Marine’s appearance is in step with the Corps’ standards. For instance, even if a Marine is within the service’s body composition and height-and-weight standards, his commander can assign him to the military appearance program, often geared toward weight redistribution, smoking cessation or improving diet.

Along with the new BCP guidelines, Marines were advised Sept. 9 that they may begin conducting the highly touted Combat Fitness Test.

“If they are ready to do it, they can do it,” McGuire said.

All active-duty Marines are required to perform their initial CFT before Dec. 31.

The grueling three-part test is designed to measure Marines’ ability to operate in a combat environment. It consists of an 880-yard run, lifting a 30-pound ammo can as many times as possible in two minutes, and a daunting 300-yard obstacle course.

The test is pass/fail in its first year, but it will convert to a three-tier graded test beginning Oct. 1, 2009. Those scores will factor into Marines’ ability to earn promotions.


Article: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/09/marine_bcp_092208w/

[KnoxRJ]

With regards to the updated BCP program, AlMar 034/08 says, inpart:

A. 60-DAY NOTIFICATION PERIOD. MARINES INITIALLY DETERMINED BY THE
UNIT TO BE OUT OF STANDARDS WILL BE ISSUED AN INFORMAL LETTER OF
CONCERN BY THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER OR SENIOR ENLISTED ADVISOR AND A
MEASURABLE 60 DAY ACTION PLAN. METHODS FOR TRACKING MARINES AND
THEIR PROGRESS DURING THIS PERIOD IS A UNIT DETERMINATION, BUT NO
SERVICE RECORD BOOK COUNSELING OR UNIT DIARY ENTRIES WILL BE MADE.

B. 60-DAY CAUTIONARY PERIOD. IMMEDIATELY AT THE END OF THE
NOTIFICATION PERIOD, IF SUFFICIENT PROGRESS HAS NOT BEEN MADE TO
REMOVE THE MARINE FROM A SUPERVISED EFFORT, A LETTER OF CAUTION WILL
BE ISSUED BY THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER OR SENIOR ENLISTED ADVISOR. THIS
LETTER WILL WARN THAT IF THE MARINE DOES NOT MEET THE ESTABLISHED
STANDARDS OVER THE FOLLOWING 60 DAYS, THAT ASSIGNMENT TO A FORMAL
UNIT PROGRAM IS INEVITABLE. UNIT LEADERSHIP SHOULD REEVALUATE THE
MARINE'S WEIGHT LOSS/REAPPORTIONMENT PLAN FOR EFFECTIVENESS. AGAIN
SERVICE RECORD BOOK COUNSELING AND UNIT DIARY ENTRIES WILL NOT BE
MADE DURING THIS PERIOD.

6. FORMAL OR BODY COMPOSITION PROGRAM. IF MARINES DO NOT MEET THE
ESTABLISHED HEIGHT-WEIGHT STANDARDS AND/OR ALLOWABLE BODY FAT
PERCENTAGES AT THE END OF THE INFORMAL UNIT PROGRAM, THEY WILL
IMMEDIATELY BE PLACED ON THE MARINE CORPS BODY COMPOSITION PROGRAM
BY THE COMMANDING OFFICER. A UNIT DIARY ENTRY WILL BE MADE FORMALLY
ASSIGNING THE MARINE TO THE PROGRAM AND A COUNSELING ENTRY SHALL BE
MADE IN THE SERVICE RECORD BOOK. THE COMMANDER WILL REVIEW THE
WEIGHT LOSS OR REAPPORTIONMENT PLAN THE MARINE HAS BEEN FOLLOWING
DURING THE PREVIOUS 120 DAYS FOR EFFECTIVENESS AND PROBABLE
ADJUSTMENT. HE WILL MAKE AVAILABLE EVERY RESOURCE TO HELP THE
MARINE RETURN TO A SUITABLE LEVEL OF FITNESS AND APPEARANCE.
FINALLY, HE WILL ENSURE THE MARINE UNDERSTANDS THE NEGATIVE
CONNOTATION ASSOCIATED WITH BEING ASSIGNED THE PROGRAM AND THAT LACK
OF PROGRESS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF REENLISTMENT OPTIONS, PROMOTION
OPPORTUNITY AND EVEN DISCHARGE.

So my question was, via a phone call and email directly to HQMC, if a Marine starts yo-yo dieting (which we all know is dangerous to the health of an individual) and gets within standards during the 60 day notification period he/she can not go on to the cautionary period. So what happens when he/she gets out of standards again? Does the Marine get another 60 day notification period, and if so how many of those does a Marine get before you go to the next stage, and then how many cautionary periods do you get before you go to BCP? If the answer is no, the Marines goes to the cautionary period if he/she gets out of standards again after a sucessfull notification period, does that mean if the Marine gets within standards during the cautionary period but gets out of standards a third time they go straight to the formal BCP?

The answer I received was "Do not deviate from the message."

[ghb2513]

So my question was, via a phone call and email directly to HQMC, if a Marine starts yo-yo dieting (which we all know is dangerous to the health of an individual) and gets within standards during the 60 day notification period he/she can not go on to the cautionary period. So what happens when he/she gets out of standards again? Does the Marine get another 60 day notification period, and if so how many of those does a Marine get before you go to the next stage, and then how many cautionary periods do you get before you go to BCP? If the answer is no, the Marines goes to the cautionary period if he/she gets out of standards again after a sucessfull notification period, does that mean if the Marine gets within standards during the cautionary period but gets out of standards a third time they go straight to the formal BCP?

The answer I received was "Do not deviate from the message."


Sounds like the process repeats itself as long as the Marine does not get assigned to the BCP.

But what happens when the Marine gets assigned to the BCP and then makes the weight / bodyfat standard?

Do they get processed for admin sep if found to be out of standards again later on down the line?

[CSBurns]

When you write another policy to "fix" a previous policy, it does nothing but create more problems. The previous order was fine, it just needed to be adhered to a hell of a lot more strictly.

[KnoxRJ]

ghb: The rest of the order stays the same. You get put on BCP for a mandatory 6 months, no matter how short of time it takes you to lose the weight. You do a good job but do not quite lose all the weight you can get one 6 month extension. You lose the weight, good, you do not, you get processed.

You come off of the first assignment (with or without and extension) and later gain weigh again you go on a second assignment. As soon as you lose the weight you come off the program. No extension is authorized. You do not lose the weight you get processed.

You gain weight a third time you are automatically processed.

No here is the thing though. If you are on you first enlistment you are not guaranteed to be AdSep'ed. Most commands make you ride out your contract. But you should not be promoted during any of that time. The paper work has to be done though, as proof as to why you will not be granted reenlistment recommendations.

Hope this helps.

[jhb3043]

ghb: The rest of the order stays the same. You get put on BCP for a mandatory 6 months, no matter how short of time it takes you to lose the weight. You do a good job but do not quite lose all the weight you can get one 6 month extension. You lose the weight, good, you do not, you get processed.

You come off of the first assignment (with or without and extension) and later gain weigh again you go on a second assignment. As soon as you lose the weight you come off the program. No extension is authorized. You do not lose the weight you get processed.

You gain weight a third time you are automatically processed.

No here is the thing though. If you are on you first enlistment you are not guaranteed to be AdSep'ed. Most commands make you ride out your contract. But you should not be promoted during any of that time. The paper work has to be done though, as proof as to why you will not be granted reenlistment recommendations.

Hope this helps.


yup been there, done that, got the t-shirt. 39 months consecutive LCpl

4.6, 3.9

beat that motherf/ckers

f/ck the Corps sometimes

it makes me f/cking sick that i saw on this DOD site that 2 non-hackers that were in my old unit are STILL in the Corps. they couldn't run or hump for sh/t back in my day.

i hope they don't get their Marines killed in the combat zone :rolleyes: :mad:

seems like the Corps still don't care if the big guys can score high 2nd & first class PFTs and finish humps, if you ain't a bean pole, you ain't sh/t. 2 guys in my old company could barely keep up on unit runs, much less the PFT, yet they still got promoted to Cpl. and one lat moved to the wing side so the more that b/tch has it made.

wasn't NONE of them hard corps like me & ghb. FTW!!!

[nonop45]

These rules seem fair, however why did they not get rid of the inaccurate way of determine an individuals fat %? They should of changed it to the 99% acurate caliber test..

I GUESS THE GREEN MACHINE DOESNT CARE

[USMC_8156]

4.6/3.9 isn't that good, actually...

[nonop45]

true 4.6 and 3.9 is very LAME

[Rawr]

These rules seem fair, however why did they not get rid of the inaccurate way of determine an individuals fat %? They should of changed it to the 99% acurate caliber test..

The current method of measuring does not measure body fat at all. The current method of measuring body fat is, quite simply, a lie. They may as well be measuring someones pinky and comparing it to the thickness of their big toe.

It measures nothing of any significance whatsoever. Cpl John Doe has a fat neck, therefore he is not fat? Please.

Next, they are going to determine our intelligence based on how well we do on the BST.

[SSgtAllen3381]

The current method of measuring does not measure body fat at all. The current method of measuring body fat is, quite simply, a lie. They may as well be measuring someones pinky and comparing it to the thickness of their big toe.

It measures nothing of any significance whatsoever. Cpl John Doe has a fat neck, therefore he is not fat? Please.

Next, they are going to determine our intelligence based on how well we do on the BST.

NOW that is funny. Good one and not too far from the truth.

[jhb3043]

4.6/3.9 isn't that good, actually...

of course its not. i was being sarcastic.



my shop and my SNCO would always give me good pros and cons. it was at the company level where they'd get "adjusted" according to USMC regs before being submitted to BN. all because i was on the fricken program. never mind that i consistently scored between high 2nd & low 1st class PFTs, stayed in on 90% of company & battalion runs, and all company & unit humps. also earned WSQ for swim qual and qualified expert on the range 3 out of 4 times during my enlistment.

yet the Corps will keep the non-hackers in that can't run or hump for sh/t. :mad:

i mean g0ddamn, the BN surgeon even said for me to get down to the weight the Corps wanted me to be at would be unhealthy for me.

i don't understand why the Semper Fit would have my BF between 13-16% by way of the caliper method and the USMC way would have me at 19-20%. yet my company GySgt had a fat neck and because of that was able to pass his tape. f/cken BS :rolleyes: :mad:

[Sammy2g3]

I think the way the Marine Corps measures body fat is incorrect. It seems like they want everyone to be skinny. Its amazing how having a fat neck makes you within standards. I would love for some of the skinny people to come in a fight with people who are bigger. I'm over my max, and they tape me at 19% overweight because I have a skinny neck. However, I can beat anyone in my company in a sprint and I can do more pull-ups than the majority. I agree Marines need to be in better shape, but everyone doesn't need to be skinny.

[usmc2459]

I work at HQMC and we have a few fat Marines who have not been called on the carpet for being obviously overweight or for looking like a donut. I knew this was going to happen when I first read that CMC was going to hold his Commanders responsible / accountable if they didn't enforce his new policy. The problem as I see it is that some of CMC's Commanders are too soft, especially towards officers. The Corps is now a touchy feely Corps. Commanders grow a back bone!

[SSgtAllen3381]

I think the way the Marine Corps measures body fat is incorrect. It seems like they want everyone to be skinny. Its amazing how having a fat neck makes you within standards. I would love for some of the skinny people to come in a fight with people who are bigger. I'm over my max, and they tape me at 19% overweight because I have a skinny neck. However, I can beat anyone in my company in a sprint and I can do more pull-ups than the majority. I agree Marines need to be in better shape, but everyone doesn't need to be skinny.

Me and thousands of other Marines (even Civilians at SemperFit) think it's wrong and outdated. But, the Marine Corps still refuses to change this method. I just don't get it, with all the "new" technology the Corps has, we are still using the method started after Vietnam. The only way to not worry about it, is to get w/in the standards and off the hot seat and out of the limelight. Because once you hit that list of Marines overweight...your career will never be the same.

[SEC8RCNG]

Me and thousands of other Marines (even Civilians at SemperFit) think it's wrong and outdated. But, the Marine Corps still refuses to change this method. I just don't get it, with all the "new" technology the Corps has, we are still using the method started after Vietnam. The only way to not worry about it, is to get w/in the standards and off the hot seat and out of the limelight. Because once you hit that list of Marines overweight...your career will never be the same.

+1

Amazing we are able to come out with new procedures for the CFT as the PFT is just not getting it done (in some eyes) and yet we are very "inept" when it comes to measuring body fat. For a "cutting" edge fighting force, sometimes we are backward thinkers.

I am quite positive there are some "reasonable" solutions (yes, I know a few, and no, I am by far from being overweight) that we could use, the question here is, "Do we have "reasonable" Marines ready to implement them? (Meaning: SENIOR LEADERS)" The fact that it has not been implemented is a huge statement, we always say, take care of your Marines when it's convenient! How about when it's not?

[magoo]

the current weight standards were established some 50+ years ago. the average americans are (just a guess) 20% larger than the average americans were 50 years ago.

most likely because the hormones that the meat production industries use now are being trickled down to the consumer.

the department of defense needs to update this as well as others. our military needs to be larger and stronger (both physically) than our enemy. a marine that's in weight standards at 70 inches tall will stand little chance against a russian or german of the same height.

[ChiefAD]

This is nothing new. When I was in the Corps in the late 80s/early 90s we had Marines put on the weight control program. After 6 months if they didnt meet weight, they were separated. Some of my buddies used this as an out. Now with the wars, the Army and perhaps Marines are resorting to flagging instead of separating. Either way, its up to the leadership and the affected Marine.

[50CalExtraordinaire]

I never understood this policy. There just can't be a cookie-cutter body-type standard. If there is, there should be a "marine-sized" hole cut into a plank of wood as part of the ASVAB. Potential recruits just walk through it, get an "A OK" stamp on their forehead and sent to bootcamp. There are big, medium, and small marines. Marines of all sizes are humping heavy weapons, running 1st class PFTs, and laying their ass on the line for their brothers in the heat of combat. Why should Pfc Builtlikeabarrel be treated any differently then Pfc thicknecksmallwaist? If they look the same on paper outside of this incorrect "body-fat test", why is there a problem? This can't be helpful to the commandant's "Make the Corps Bigger" mission.

[USMCRAMIREZ]

Life just got a bit more miserable for Marines struggling to keep their weight in check.

Beginning immediately, the Corps wants all commanders to evaluate those Marines assigned to the service’s body composition program, a six-month rehab designed to help troops comply with the Corps’ stringent weight standards. Those deemed “out of standard” after their evaluation must begin the BCP again, said Col. Brian McGuire, physical readiness programs officer at Training and Education Command in Quantico, Va.

The Corps outlined the new BCP guidelines in a Sept. 9 Marine administrative message. The new rules state that Marines assigned to their first BCP must complete all six months — even if they meet the Corps’ rigid weight standards sooner, the MarAdmin states.

The program, which requires most Marines to maintain no more than 18 percent body fat, “promotes a longer-lasting weight loss strategy,” McGuire said.

Moreover, it shows no kindness to troops facing administrative separation for failing to comply with weight regulations — even if they managed to drop the excess weight after separation procedures began.

“Marines being processed for discharge secondary to BCP failure are being done so after a lengthy period in which many opportunities and resources have been afforded to them in order to return to standards,” McGuire said.

Commandant Gen. James Conway introduced the more rigid BCP in August along with a new “military appearance program.” Both are part of his effort to forge leaner Marines.

In an Aug. 8 All-Marine message, Conway took umbrage with Marines who fail to meet the Corps’ high standards for fitness and appearance, demanding that commanders hold Marines accountable for failing to meet standards.

The new appearance program allows individual commanders more leeway to determine if a Marine’s appearance is in step with the Corps’ standards. For instance, even if a Marine is within the service’s body composition and height-and-weight standards, his commander can assign him to the military appearance program, often geared toward weight redistribution, smoking cessation or improving diet.

Along with the new BCP guidelines, Marines were advised Sept. 9 that they may begin conducting the highly touted Combat Fitness Test.

“If they are ready to do it, they can do it,” McGuire said.

All active-duty Marines are required to perform their initial CFT before Dec. 31.

The grueling three-part test is designed to measure Marines’ ability to operate in a combat environment. It consists of an 880-yard run, lifting a 30-pound ammo can as many times as possible in two minutes, and a daunting 300-yard obstacle course.

The test is pass/fail in its first year, but it will convert to a three-tier graded test beginning Oct. 1, 2009. Those scores will factor into Marines’ ability to earn promotions.


Article: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/09/marine_bcp_092208w/
I HAVE BEEN ABOVE MY MAX WEIGHT SINCE BEFORE I WENT TO BOOT CAMP, IT WAS THERE THAT I LOST NEARLY 70 LBS. BUT AFTER THAT IT IS REALLY HARD TO REMAIN A LOW WEIGHT WHEN ALL MY LIFE I WAS OVERWIEGHT. I AM NOW 28 YRS. OLD AND ITS EVEN HARDER I CURRENTLY WEIGHT 175 LBS. EXACTLY MY MAX WEIGHT , ACCORDING TO THE MARINE CORPS. I AM AT RISK BUT I STILL PERFORM BETTER THAN 90 PERCENT OF MY SHOP AT ANY PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND FIELD TRAINING. THE MARINE CORPS. SHOULD ALSO LOOK AT THAT AND NOT ONLY TARGET MARINES FOR BEIGNG BORDER LINE ON WEIGHT OR A FEW LBS. OVER, WE SHOULD NOT BE LOOKING TO ONLY AT THAT, WE NEED WARRIORS TO DEFEND AMERICA, NOT POSTER MARINES TO BE IN A DRILL TEAM AND LOOK GOOD. OFCOURSE IM ONLY A TROOP AND HAVE NO SAY SO. SEMPER FAT!!!!!!!

[smarg]

Marines are finding out that Conway is a "perfumed prince." If you look carefully at his bio you can examine the weasel assignments that propelled him to the top.

[kenny10]

Marines are finding out that Conway is a "perfumed prince." If you look carefully at his bio you can examine the weasel assignments that propelled him to the top.

This brings to light a huge problem with the Marine Corps and BCP
The new MARADMIN just came out that states that commanders had enough time to get their Marines in shape, so therefore there is no longer a 60 day timeframe for the Marine to lose the weight
If the MC is going to hurt/damage or destroy a Marines career or kick them out, then they need to come up with a new body fat measuring test, like the Calipers that Semper Fit uses.
I had a Marine that was 3 pounds over her max weight, this Marine is very atlhetic and lifts weight, she is constantly in the gym. She got taped and was at 32 percent body fat, which is HUGE btw, I about died when I heard this
I sent her to the Semper Fit health specialist and she laughed out loud when she heard what the Marine had been taped at, the caliper testing got her at 19 percent which is EXCELLENT. Anyways she lost the 3 lbs because the Sgt Maj allowed her to weigh in again and she was under. I was just using that as a baseline for my bitch fest
God Forbid the Marine Corps spends more than 1 DOLLAR on the body fat measuring sytem, unlike the tape measure which is just 99 cents...........99 cents could ruin a Marines career

[Ordnanceless]

I had a Marine that was 3 pounds over her max weight, this Marine is very atlhetic and lifts weight, she is constantly in the gym. She got taped and was at 32 percent body fat, which is HUGE btw, I about died when I heard this
I sent her to the Semper Fit health specialist and she laughed out loud when she heard what the Marine had been taped at, the caliper testing got her at 19 percent which is EXCELLENT.

I have to agree with you on the inaccuracies on this program. Unfortunately for you it worked in a negative way for a Marine who was within standards. I have a Marine who has learned to SUCK HIS GUT when being taped, and is able to pass. I have told the administrators of this test to watch for it, but he still sneaks through. Its unfortunate that Marines who work hard to get their body composition into regs run into a problem with the way that they are measured. Ok, I hear very one now, "Why are you not making the Marine PT". Been there. I was COUNSELED on the hazards of PTing a Marine who is not fit for it. :eek:

[kenny10]

I have to agree with you on the inaccuracies on this program. Unfortunately for you it worked in a negative way for a Marine who was within standards. I have a Marine who has learned to SUCK HIS GUT when being taped, and is able to pass. I have told the administrators of this test to watch for it, but he still sneaks through. Its unfortunate that Marines who work hard to get their body composition into regs run into a problem with the way that they are measured. Ok, I hear very one now, "Why are you not making the Marine PT". Been there. I was COUNSELED on the hazards of PTing a Marine who is not fit for it. :eek:

See I have also seen Marines with spare tires get by on taping because they have big necks or suck in a little. The female Marine can't suck anything in because she doesnt have anything to suck in, I am not even kidding
SHE HAS ABS and you can see them, no love handles, not a fat ass, not fat legs, not a fat anything (some of the nicest legs I've seen, very defined) and she can outplay 90 percent of the men in sports. She just got pissed and dropped the 3 lbs, which was mostly water weight and got under, I bet my life that 45 minutes after weighin in she was over again because she chugged about a half a gallon of water. Its just absolutely ridiculous that the MC won't adopt a better measure for something that would ruin a Marines career.
The female Marine runs the PT in our shop, she does crossfit alot, 285 PFT, ran a 3:05 on the 880 yd CFT sprint, did the MAX ammo can lifts for females, 63 and ran a damn 2:52 in the course, that was the 9th best score, she beat out most of the male Marines
Its just ridiculous. I lift weights everyday, I am over my max but I get taped and when I do get taped I get taped at 13 percent, which is way more than my actual percentage. my caliper testing is at 8 percent body fat, so screw the tape measuring system

[USMClifestylenotajob]

I feel all your pain and to tell you the truth the Marine Corps is well aware of its broken testing system otherwise it wouldn't offer BCP waivers. I just received my waiver approval not too long ago. In the order there are pre-requisites, so if you meet them then submit for the waiver. I've asked the question about adopting more accurate testing methods for years now. Like the female listed above, I've always had very high scores as well but have always fallen into the borderline category with a skinny neck. Unfortunately, the answer continues to be the same, the testing will not change anytime soon. And from the bottom of the chain of command all the way to TECOM, the response has been "work your neck". I would love for someone to give me some sort of educated answer on how a big neck makes you skinny or more combat effective. To make a long story short there wasn't anythig wrong with the standards we had prior to the new order. The problem was that Marines (SNCO's and Officers)weren't held accountable by their unit commanders. And if you read the stats in the March 23rd edition of Marine Corps Times, the senior leadership is still not being held accountable. According to the article only 15 active duty officers have been assigned to BCP. I'm going to start a daily count because I notice about 10 per day at the base I'm on that are fat as hell. And to think there are only 15 in the entire fleet. I really hope the commandant is not completely blind to his new order. In my unit alone I can think of about 10 SNCO's that are fat well beyond standards of bodyfat and appearance. However, only 1 was assigned to the program. And on the flipside, if a junior Marine is even close they're riding his ass and he's on the program. I can't speak for your commands but it's a rank has it's priviledges order at my command.

[SSgt Murphy]

It seems somewhere between the time I got out that the weight charts gave a lot of extra room for growth.
Magoo said they were established 50 years ago? Not so if this chart is correct?

http://www.military.com/military-fitness/marine-corps-fitness-requirements/usmc-weight-charts

I recall my max weight being 151 at 68 inches (female). In the 80's, the people struggling w/ their weight,
awesome runners and body builders included, fought to have the body fat measurements to get waivers. Sounds like it's all gotten out of hand. I'm LMOA though that my max weight would now be 164 pounds?? Unless I read it wrong, that's 13 pounds over already fat. OMG. We didn't have zero calorie salad dressing, skinny cow ice cream or 64 calorie beer back then either and 99 percent of us managed to suck it up and stay within our standards. We just PT'd a lot and if anyone got within 5 pounds in the monthly weigh in they were going to run at lunch w/ a SNCO. No questions asked (but no adverse paperwork either)
I guess times have certainly changed. Hopefully they will come up w/ a better system soon.

[USMClifestylenotajob]

It's not a matter of what the standards were then compared to now. Trust me I'm all about tightening up the standards because there are too many fatbodies in the ranks today. The problem is the way the Marine Corps currently goes about assesment of body fat. Measuring ones neck and waist is stone aged technology that the Marine Corps just won't do away with. Where else could you alter your so called body fat levels by 4% simply by doing 15 minutes of neck curls. So is this a true and accurate test? Another prime example is where your command will send you for a full assessment once you fail the tape at 20%. They send you straight over to your base Semper Fit coordinator where they use the caliper method and tell you that you're perfectly healthy at 12% and ask you why on earth you'd want to lose more body fat. I personally have never had below a 270 PFT ,and by the proposed scoring system for the CFT, I knocked out a 298. Yet , I had to submit for a BCP waiver. And that was after my SgtMaj gave me the advice to stop training my abs so the muscle will be less thick, or his other advice, dehydrate yourself before your next weigh-in, to slim the waist that much more. Yeah, that's great advice. Like you mentioned though, this was a problem in the 80's. And what do you know it's still a problem nearly 30 yrs. later.

[Rawr]

Measuring ones neck and waist is stone aged technology that the Marine Corps just won't do away with. Where else could you alter your so called body fat levels by 4% simply by doing 15 minutes of neck curls.

+1 and lol