Marine Corps Body Composition Program

Military.com | By Stew Smith

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 semi-annual 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, he or she 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/lbs.)

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 he or she is consuming a healthy diet/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 effective 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, he/she can ultimately be discharged from the Marine Corps. If the Marine meet the new standards, he or she will be removed from the BCP and allowed to stay in the service.

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