Weight Requiements

[CTmomof3]

I'm finding conflicting information and hoping that maybe a recruiter or the like can give me the low down on Minimum weight.

My Son is 5'10 weighs 125lbs. and leaves for BC in a few Months.  He's told he needs to be at 132 or he can't ship out.  The info I've found is that Minimum shipping weight of 123.. Waiverable to 111. This kid has been doing everything to gain and just can't seem to really get much past the 125 maybe 127.  High Metabolism I guess.  Plus he really really needs to get into shape but is afraid to work out to much for fear of loosing weight.  

Is he ok the way he is or should he try for a waiver just in case he can't get to the 132?  Are waivers hard to get for this?

[lemonelephant]

I found the same minimum weight guidelines that you did, but I also found other sites that inidcate that they now use a BMI formula and the calculator indicates 132 bs. for the BMI of 19.  He needs to keep working out to stay in shape for all the physical training that will be required at BC.  Check out this site that also includes a link to the BMI calculator. 

[Danno]

This is true, 

I just got off of recruiting and BMI is only used when a sailor is very light weight for his/her height regardless of minimum weight. The number you stated is correct. BMI is not used for anyone overweight, only body fat/weight.

[CTmomof3]

I'm confused.  What does his BMI need to be and how is it figured?  Because he has a high metabolism his gaining is proving to be a challenge.  Can you get a waiver I read that someplace?

[Craig]

Go look starting at page 43 of this manual.  This is the offical rules for the Body Fat and PFA...Waiver use to be given but the Navy has closed the door on that just recently.  If he passes the height/weight, then he doesn't have to do the body fat, otherwise he will be required to get taped measured.

 

http://doni.daps.dla.mil/Directives/06000%20Medical%20and%20Dental%...

[Danno]

Here is the official Navy Recruiting Command policy from the latest 2010 Recruiting manual concerning BMI

"(1) Weight.  See the Height and Weight Table (Exhibits 020701 and 020702).  For applicants with a Body Mass Index (BMI) below 19 the MEPS CMO will determine if there are any underlying medical/psychiatric conditions through a more detailed history/medical record review.  Underweight applicants down to 17.5 BMI may be qualified if there is no evidence of a medical or psychiatric disorder and if they are physically active with a good appetite.  Applicants below 17.5 BMI will be temporarily disqualified and a Reevaluation Justified (RJ) date calculated.  RJ date should reflect a waiting period of 4 days for every 1-pound increment.  A BMI calculator can be obtained for initial screening purposes by using www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/."

CMO stands for Chief Medical Officer, he has the final say with any waivers as long as it is in line with this policy, in more questionable cases it might be sent up to the regional command for review but this is only with a CMO recommendation.

To read more on this here is the link to volume II - eligibility requirements from the 

http://www.cnrc.navy.mil/publications/Directives/VOL%20II_Eligibili...

Hope this helps!

Daniel

[CTmomof3]

Looks like I have some reading to do.  I read what you wrote but still trying to apply this to my son.

When would the MEPS CMO determine if he's ok?  He set to leave for BC on May 3rd.  I'm trying to avoid an issue that day.  Is it possible he'd get there and it would be a...no go?  Then what.  It's 5am  here so I'll read the links later.  Craig you say no waiver Danno you say the CMO can.  I asked his recruiter this yesterday and he said..NO..didn't even think for a second.

[Danno]

Every recruiting district's CMO will take the issue from a different perspective. I was out of NRD Denver and they were very strict, no waivers for anyone below that minimum BMI. I see the link is down now, I would keep trying since it was working yesterday. It looks like the whole CNRC (Recruiting command) web page is down, not just that link.

 

Waivers, if humored are very hard to get for weight issues, whether over or under. I am assuming he joined just fine so now your sons issue is if he does or does not make weight by the time boot camp rolls around so here is how the process works...

 

At the 30 day, 1 week and 24 hour mark (or more depending on local policies), your recruiter will be required to weigh in your son and calculate the BMI if he looks like he might be too skinny for his height.  If his recruiting command does humor weight waivers, they will get a recommendation from the CMO usually with a MEPS inspection (basically a short physical). If the CMO recommends it, they will send the waiver up to the command and then to BUMED (the main medical organization for this kind of stuff). BUMED will often be the final deciding factor but they usually take one to two months to get an answer from. To be honest, most things like this get shot down and at my recruiting command, if a DEPper was at risk of being too light or heavy close to shipping, we would often cancel the contract 30-60 days in advance to cover ourselves and prevent an issue from coming up in the same shipping month (or the day he ships). They try to avoid that scenario since it is very expensive to take an "in month loss" and the command will have to fill his job on short notice which is not very easy (people don't want to ship within a week usually when they join). Yes, it is possible he could get to MEPS the day of shipping and be a no go in which case all is usually lost due to the above "in month" reasons I mentioned. 

 

I advise that your son gets a MEPS inspection at least a month prior to shipping so everyone can get a final answer and so that it does not come up the day of shipping. Even though policy says waivers can be done, this does not mean they will be done since commands can tighten (but not loosen) policies depending on the recruiting environment at any given time. Examples of this are the ability to put in people with GED's, ASVABs below 50, legal issues, and so on... all can officially get a waiver or are simply ok without a waiver as per the instruction, but commands will often shoot them down very quickly if they are doing well with their target market. 

Luckily, your son is within minimum weight and only needs to gain less than 10 pounds between now and May, this is very achievable. It is unfortunate in this case that he has a great metabolism but as others have commented, weight can be put on very quickly with muscle mass if he pursues that route and is a much more health route than eating too much. 

Let me know if I can answer any other specific question for you, I stopped recruiting in December so most of these policies are still fresh in my mind. 

[CTmomof3]

Thanks for all the info..I'm going to read it twice since there is alot of stuff.

 I do have another question and that has to do with the PT.  He's in a real catch 22. Sad to say at 19 he's not in shape at all.  He's only had one PT with his recruiter as from what he's told the Navy put a stop to the PTing.  Not sure why. However during that one time he became extremely winded and light headed to the point of almost passing out.  The recruiter freaked because he thought something was wrong with my son.  He went to the dr (per recruiter request) and every things fine,just no endurance.  So here's the issue.  If he works out to get in shape he'll loose weight but he needs to build endurance. He goes to the gym and says it takes him 16 minutes to run the mile.  UM not good.  He did just sign up with a  personal trainer to help him (I hope) build muscle.  He's been doing (some running) and weigh stuff at home for the las 2 months.  This trainer told him not to run.  He takes weight gainer and some other supplements.  Do you have any info on the PT  what if he gains the weight but is out of shape?  

 

This kid want to join in the worst way. I never seen him work so hard at something however things don't seem to be going his way. As I parent I don't want to see his dream crushed.  He pushed and pushed to get the rate he wanted. 

[Danno]

They stopped PT nationwide until further notice due to a death that happened in the DEP program last year. Until the investigation is done and new rules implemented they decided to play it safe. First time I ever heard of that happening and it was probably an undiagnosed health issue I would imagine.

 

I had a guy I put in, he was very exhausted when he did his initial run also... could not pass the run (only did about .5 miles before giving up).  He dedicated himself and was running half marathons by the time he left, I was very proud of him. He also hired a personal trainer and was outrunning me before long. Running is probably one of the best ways to build endurance, along with swimming or any other high intensity cardio. He should probably discuss with his trainer his goals which obviously include weight, but must include endurance if he doesn't want any issues in boot camp (the first fitness test is after the first week). The reason he was probably told not to run is due to the fact that it is a great way to burn calories/loose weight. It does indeed sound like a catch 22. 

As Craig listed earlier, this link

http://doni.daps.dla.mil/Directives/06000%20Medical%20and%20Dental%...

is the fitness test rules (mostly pertaining to weight/body fat and how to calculate scores). For age 19, starting on page 77 you can see the minimum requirements. He should be running the mile in 7-8 minutes and 1.5 miles in 11-12 minutes. Example requirements for an 18 year old male are at a minimum... 12:15 run, 46 push ups (in 2 mins), and  54 sit ups (2 mins). Everyones body is different so his trainer should be best to provide him with that kind of information that is tailored to him. Just be careful to avoid injury this close to boot camp of course. 

If he truly has it in his heart, I am certain he will see great results since I have seen people with that attitude do the same.  

 

 

 

[CTmomof3]

http://www.cnrc.navy.mil/publications/Directives/VOL%20II_Eligibili...

this link doesn't seem to be working

[ChrisAmo]

He should work out and build muscle, which weighs more than fat. If he doesn't work out ahead of time and he does manage to get in, he'll have a really hard time with the PT.

[J/J Mom]

i totally agree...

work out work out work out... muscles weigh more.

My dd is skinny as a rail, but fit as a fiddle.  She was PT Officer at her NROTC unit last semester.  i'm always amazed at her weight -- she looks like she's 5'8" & 110 lbs, but her muscles must increase that by about 20lb.

 

Basically, he has to pass the PT.  Plus, it's for his own safely that he pass the PT.  Have him work out.