To qualify for the rigors of the Marine Corps, recruits must meet fitness standards, and enlisted Marines must maintain a high level of physical fitness throughout their tour of duty.
To that end, the Marine Corps has introduced updates to its fitness requirements, which include new requirements for the physical fitness test (PFT), combat fitness test (CFT) and limits on the percentage of body fat.
Rather than measuring weight alone, the Marines and other branches of the military consider the percentage of body fat based on height and age, and on measurements of neck and waist circumference. Female Marines are also subject to hip circumference measurement.
How Physical Fitness Is Factored
The most recent changes to the body fat percentage limits increased the height and weight standards for female Marines and allow Marines who achieve high scores on the PFT and CFT to be exempt from the height and weight standards.
So for example, if a Marine’s maximum allowed body fat percentage for his age and height range was 19 percent, but he scored above 250 points on both the PFT and CFT, he would be allowed a body fat percentage of 20 percent.
Updates to the Circumference Measurements
These changes were made because the Marines realized that when someone exercises vigorously to get into top physical condition, he or she will often add bulk in the form of muscle. That’s a big part of the reason for the Marines moving toward using more precise measuring devices to measure the neck, waist and hip circumferences.
Rules for Waivers of Body Fat Requirements
Also, waivers for the body fat requirements can now be given by the first general officer in a Marine’s chain of command. Previously such waivers were only available from the deputy commandant of Manpower and Reserve Affairs.
Including Wider Range of Age Groups
The Marines also expanded the number of age ranges contained in its fitness requirements. Marines used to be divided into four age ranges, but are now separated into eight different age groups. The report that recommended this change stated there was “no scientific basis” for the four age ranges, a system that had been in place since 1956.
Here’s an example of where the new body fat requirements and age ranges will make a difference. A woman in her late 30s will be allowed to have 28 percent body fat instead of the previous cut off of 27. Men 36 and older are permitted to have 20 percent body fat, previously allowed only for men 40 and older.
Below is a chart of the latest body fat standards for Marines, divided into the new age ranges.
Age Group body fat body fat
Men Women
17-20 18 % 26 %
21-25 18 % 26 %
26-30 19 % 27 %
31-35 19 % 27 %
36-40 20 % 28 %
41-45 20 % 28 %
46-50 21 % 29 %
51+ 21 % 29 %
Marine Corps Body Fat Standards
Marines who exceed the body fat standards are placed into a body composition program to help them achieve their fitness goals. But those who repeatedly fail to maintain required body fat standards may be subject to administrative sanctions which can include reprimands, denial of promotions, administrative demotion in rank, and even administrative discharge.
Marine Corps Recruit Weight and Body Fat Standards
US Military Enlistment Height and Weights Standards
US Marine Corps Weight Standards
Marine Corps Weight and Fitness Standards
United States Military Body Fat Standards
Marine Corps Combat Fitness Test
What Is The Military Tape Test?
U.S. Army Weight Standards For Men
United States Military Enlistment Standards
Navy Height and Weight 2019 Standards
Marine Corps Physical Fitness Charts
U.S. Army Weight Charts and Height Requirements
U.S. Military Enlistment Standards (Part 2)
Marine Corps Enlisted Promotions
Air Force Officer Accession Fitness Standards
Physical Fitness Standards for Air Force Basic Training
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When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept Cookies
To qualify for the rigors of the Marine Corps, recruits must meet fitness standards, and enlisted Marines must maintain a high level of physical fitness throughout their tour of duty.
To that end, the Marine Corps has introduced updates to its fitness requirements, which include new requirements for the physical fitness test (PFT), combat fitness test (CFT) and limits on the percentage of body fat.
Rather than measuring weight alone, the Marines and other branches of the military consider the percentage of body fat based on height and age, and on measurements of neck and waist circumference. Female Marines are also subject to hip circumference measurement.
How Physical Fitness Is Factored
The most recent changes to the body fat percentage limits increased the height and weight standards for female Marines and allow Marines who achieve high scores on the PFT and CFT to be exempt from the height and weight standards.
So for example, if a Marine’s maximum allowed body fat percentage for his age and height range was 19 percent, but he scored above 250 points on both the PFT and CFT, he would be allowed a body fat percentage of 20 percent.
Updates to the Circumference Measurements
These changes were made because the Marines realized that when someone exercises vigorously to get into top physical condition, he or she will often add bulk in the form of muscle. That’s a big part of the reason for the Marines moving toward using more precise measuring devices to measure the neck, waist and hip circumferences.
Rules for Waivers of Body Fat Requirements
Also, waivers for the body fat requirements can now be given by the first general officer in a Marine’s chain of command. Previously such waivers were only available from the deputy commandant of Manpower and Reserve Affairs.
Including Wider Range of Age Groups
The Marines also expanded the number of age ranges contained in its fitness requirements. Marines used to be divided into four age ranges, but are now separated into eight different age groups. The report that recommended this change stated there was “no scientific basis” for the four age ranges, a system that had been in place since 1956.
Here’s an example of where the new body fat requirements and age ranges will make a difference. A woman in her late 30s will be allowed to have 28 percent body fat instead of the previous cut off of 27. Men 36 and older are permitted to have 20 percent body fat, previously allowed only for men 40 and older.
Below is a chart of the latest body fat standards for Marines, divided into the new age ranges.
Age Group body fat body fat
Men Women
17-20 18 % 26 %
21-25 18 % 26 %
26-30 19 % 27 %
31-35 19 % 27 %
36-40 20 % 28 %
41-45 20 % 28 %
46-50 21 % 29 %
51+ 21 % 29 %
Marine Corps Body Fat Standards
Marines who exceed the body fat standards are placed into a body composition program to help them achieve their fitness goals. But those who repeatedly fail to maintain required body fat standards may be subject to administrative sanctions which can include reprimands, denial of promotions, administrative demotion in rank, and even administrative discharge.
Marine Corps Recruit Weight and Body Fat Standards
US Military Enlistment Height and Weights Standards
US Marine Corps Weight Standards
Marine Corps Weight and Fitness Standards
United States Military Body Fat Standards
Marine Corps Combat Fitness Test
What Is The Military Tape Test?
U.S. Army Weight Standards For Men
United States Military Enlistment Standards
Navy Height and Weight 2019 Standards
Marine Corps Physical Fitness Charts
U.S. Army Weight Charts and Height Requirements
U.S. Military Enlistment Standards (Part 2)
Marine Corps Enlisted Promotions
Air Force Officer Accession Fitness Standards
Physical Fitness Standards for Air Force Basic Training
When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept Cookies
To qualify for the rigors of the Marine Corps, recruits must meet fitness standards, and enlisted Marines must maintain a high level of physical fitness throughout their tour of duty.
To that end, the Marine Corps has introduced updates to its fitness requirements, which include new requirements for the physical fitness test (PFT), combat fitness test (CFT) and limits on the percentage of body fat.
Rather than measuring weight alone, the Marines and other branches of the military consider the percentage of body fat based on height and age, and on measurements of neck and waist circumference. Female Marines are also subject to hip circumference measurement.
How Physical Fitness Is Factored
The most recent changes to the body fat percentage limits increased the height and weight standards for female Marines and allow Marines who achieve high scores on the PFT and CFT to be exempt from the height and weight standards.
So for example, if a Marine’s maximum allowed body fat percentage for his age and height range was 19 percent, but he scored above 250 points on both the PFT and CFT, he would be allowed a body fat percentage of 20 percent.
Updates to the Circumference Measurements
These changes were made because the Marines realized that when someone exercises vigorously to get into top physical condition, he or she will often add bulk in the form of muscle. That’s a big part of the reason for the Marines moving toward using more precise measuring devices to measure the neck, waist and hip circumferences.
Rules for Waivers of Body Fat Requirements
Also, waivers for the body fat requirements can now be given by the first general officer in a Marine’s chain of command. Previously such waivers were only available from the deputy commandant of Manpower and Reserve Affairs.
Including Wider Range of Age Groups
The Marines also expanded the number of age ranges contained in its fitness requirements. Marines used to be divided into four age ranges, but are now separated into eight different age groups. The report that recommended this change stated there was “no scientific basis” for the four age ranges, a system that had been in place since 1956.
Here’s an example of where the new body fat requirements and age ranges will make a difference. A woman in her late 30s will be allowed to have 28 percent body fat instead of the previous cut off of 27. Men 36 and older are permitted to have 20 percent body fat, previously allowed only for men 40 and older.
Below is a chart of the latest body fat standards for Marines, divided into the new age ranges.
Age Group body fat body fat
Men Women
17-20 18 % 26 %
21-25 18 % 26 %
26-30 19 % 27 %
31-35 19 % 27 %
36-40 20 % 28 %
41-45 20 % 28 %
46-50 21 % 29 %
51+ 21 % 29 %
Marine Corps Body Fat Standards
Marines who exceed the body fat standards are placed into a body composition program to help them achieve their fitness goals. But those who repeatedly fail to maintain required body fat standards may be subject to administrative sanctions which can include reprimands, denial of promotions, administrative demotion in rank, and even administrative discharge.
To qualify for the rigors of the Marine Corps, recruits must meet fitness standards, and enlisted Marines must maintain a high level of physical fitness throughout their tour of duty.
To that end, the Marine Corps has introduced updates to its fitness requirements, which include new requirements for the physical fitness test (PFT), combat fitness test (CFT) and limits on the percentage of body fat.
Rather than measuring weight alone, the Marines and other branches of the military consider the percentage of body fat based on height and age, and on measurements of neck and waist circumference. Female Marines are also subject to hip circumference measurement.
How Physical Fitness Is Factored
The most recent changes to the body fat percentage limits increased the height and weight standards for female Marines and allow Marines who achieve high scores on the PFT and CFT to be exempt from the height and weight standards.
So for example, if a Marine’s maximum allowed body fat percentage for his age and height range was 19 percent, but he scored above 250 points on both the PFT and CFT, he would be allowed a body fat percentage of 20 percent.
Updates to the Circumference Measurements
These changes were made because the Marines realized that when someone exercises vigorously to get into top physical condition, he or she will often add bulk in the form of muscle. That’s a big part of the reason for the Marines moving toward using more precise measuring devices to measure the neck, waist and hip circumferences.
Rules for Waivers of Body Fat Requirements
Also, waivers for the body fat requirements can now be given by the first general officer in a Marine’s chain of command. Previously such waivers were only available from the deputy commandant of Manpower and Reserve Affairs.
Including Wider Range of Age Groups
The Marines also expanded the number of age ranges contained in its fitness requirements. Marines used to be divided into four age ranges, but are now separated into eight different age groups. The report that recommended this change stated there was “no scientific basis” for the four age ranges, a system that had been in place since 1956.
Here’s an example of where the new body fat requirements and age ranges will make a difference. A woman in her late 30s will be allowed to have 28 percent body fat instead of the previous cut off of 27. Men 36 and older are permitted to have 20 percent body fat, previously allowed only for men 40 and older.
Below is a chart of the latest body fat standards for Marines, divided into the new age ranges.
Age Group body fat body fat
Men Women
17-20 18 % 26 %
21-25 18 % 26 %
26-30 19 % 27 %
31-35 19 % 27 %
36-40 20 % 28 %
41-45 20 % 28 %
46-50 21 % 29 %
51+ 21 % 29 %
Marine Corps Body Fat Standards
Marines who exceed the body fat standards are placed into a body composition program to help them achieve their fitness goals. But those who repeatedly fail to maintain required body fat standards may be subject to administrative sanctions which can include reprimands, denial of promotions, administrative demotion in rank, and even administrative discharge.
Marines who exceed the body fat standards are placed into a body composition program to help them achieve their fitness goals. But those who repeatedly fail to maintain required body fat standards may be subject to administrative sanctions which can include reprimands, denial of promotions, administrative demotion in rank, and even administrative discharge.
Marine Corps Recruit Weight and Body Fat Standards
US Military Enlistment Height and Weights Standards
US Marine Corps Weight Standards
Marine Corps Weight and Fitness Standards
United States Military Body Fat Standards
Marine Corps Combat Fitness Test
What Is The Military Tape Test?
U.S. Army Weight Standards For Men
United States Military Enlistment Standards
Navy Height and Weight 2019 Standards
Marine Corps Physical Fitness Charts
U.S. Army Weight Charts and Height Requirements
U.S. Military Enlistment Standards (Part 2)
Marine Corps Enlisted Promotions
Air Force Officer Accession Fitness Standards
Physical Fitness Standards for Air Force Basic Training
Marine Corps Recruit Weight and Body Fat Standards
Marine Corps Recruit Weight and Body Fat Standards
US Military Enlistment Height and Weights Standards
US Military Enlistment Height and Weights Standards
US Marine Corps Weight Standards
US Marine Corps Weight Standards
Marine Corps Weight and Fitness Standards
Marine Corps Weight and Fitness Standards
United States Military Body Fat Standards
United States Military Body Fat Standards
Marine Corps Combat Fitness Test
Marine Corps Combat Fitness Test
What Is The Military Tape Test?
What Is The Military Tape Test?
U.S. Army Weight Standards For Men
U.S. Army Weight Standards For Men
United States Military Enlistment Standards
United States Military Enlistment Standards
Navy Height and Weight 2019 Standards
Navy Height and Weight 2019 Standards
Marine Corps Physical Fitness Charts
Marine Corps Physical Fitness Charts
U.S. Army Weight Charts and Height Requirements
U.S. Army Weight Charts and Height Requirements
U.S. Military Enlistment Standards (Part 2)
U.S. Military Enlistment Standards (Part 2)
Marine Corps Enlisted Promotions
Marine Corps Enlisted Promotions
Air Force Officer Accession Fitness Standards
Air Force Officer Accession Fitness Standards
Physical Fitness Standards for Air Force Basic Training
Physical Fitness Standards for Air Force Basic Training
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About Us Advertise Careers Privacy Policy Editorial Guidelines Contact Terms of Use EU Privacy
LiveAbout is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.
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About Us Advertise Careers Privacy Policy Editorial Guidelines Contact Terms of Use EU Privacy
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EU Privacy
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LiveAbout is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.
When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept Cookies
