Marine Corps Body Composition Program

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Marines use body-fat analyzers.
Marines with I Marine Expeditionary Force use body-fat analyzers during a body-fat composition testing hosted by Marine Corps Community Services at the 21 Area Fitness Center, at Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 20, 2012. (Lance Cpl. Joshua Young/I Marine Expeditionary Force)

The Marine Corps Physical Conditioning Program has two main components: the physical fitness test (PFT) and the Body Composition Program.

The Marine Corps' weight and body fat standards are health and performance based, and not based on appearance. Marines are considered not within these standards when their body weight and body fat exceed the maximum limits.

Like the Marine Corps PFT, the weigh-in is conducted on a semiannual basis (annually for Reserves). And like the PFT, it is conducted in green-on-green T-shirt and shorts, and socks.

Body Composition Program in the Marine Corps

If a Marine's weight exceeds the regulation limits, they will be measured for body fat. Marines who exceed the body-fat allowance are enrolled in the Body Composition Program.

If the Marine fails to lose the required weight and body fat required to meet standards while enrolled in the Body Composition Program, this may result in an involuntary discharge.

Marines who are over the weight on the chart but meet the body-fat standards are considered to be within the required standards, and no further action is taken.

The height/weight standards charts

Male and female Marine Corps height/weight standards charts (inches/pounds)

MALE FEMALE
Height Max Weight Min

Weight

Max Weight Min

Weight

56 122 85 115 85
57 127 88 120 88
58 131 91 124 91
59 136 94 129 94
60 141 97 133 97
61 145 100 137 100
62 150 104 142 104
63 155 107 146 107
64 160 110 151 110
65 165 114 156 114
66 170 117 155 117
67 175 121 161 121
68 180 125 171 125
69 186 128 176 128
70 191 132 181 132
71 197 136 186 136
72 202 140 191 140
73 208 144 197 144
74 214 148 202 148
75 220 152 208 152
76 225 156 213 156
77 231 160 219 160
78 237 164 225 164
79 244 168 230 168
80 250 173 236 173
81 256 177 242 177
82 263 182 248 182

If a Marine is below the minimum standards for weight, there is no action taken. However, the command may refer the Marine to human performance specialists or a nutritionist to make sure they are consuming a healthy diet and eating enough.

Marine body-fat standards

The Marine Corps changed its body-fat standards and age groups for the PFT, combat fitness test (CFT) and Body Composition Program, effective in 2017. These new standards are as follows:

As of 2017, Marines may have their body-fat composition disregarded if they master the PFT and CFT. The requirements are extremely challenging, however: A score of 285 or higher is required on both tests to be completely exempt from body-fat limits.

A score of 250 or above allows an additional 1% of body fat per the guidelines. The maximum body-fat percentages Marines at each age group can have are listed below:

Male Marines

  • Ages 17-20: 18%
  • Ages 21-25: 18%
  • Ages 26-30: 19%
  • Ages 31-35: 19%
  • Ages 36-40: 20%
  • Ages 41-45: 20%
  • Ages 46-50: 21%
  • Ages 51+: 21%

Female Marines

  • Ages 17-20: 26%
  • Ages 21-25: 26%
  • Ages 26-30: 27%
  • Ages 31-35: 27%
  • Ages 36-40: 28%
  • Ages 41-45: 28%
  • Ages 46-50: 29%
  • Ages 51+: 29%

While on the Body Composition Program, if a Marine fails to lose the required weight/body fat to get within standards, they ultimately can be discharged from the Marine Corps. If the Marine meet the new standards, they will be removed from the BCP and allowed to stay in the service.

Stew Smith is a former Navy SEAL and fitness author certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Visit his Fitness eBook store if you’re looking to start a workout program to create a healthy lifestyle. Send your fitness questions to stew@stewsmith.com.

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