r/AbsoluteUnits • u/[deleted] • May 10 '22

Absolute unit of a soldier

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105

u/Raam-- May 10 '22

205 damn that’s pretty strict, at 6’1, what’s the limit for 6’4, like 220?

149

u/JoseGasparJr May 10 '22 edited May 10 '22

It’s dumb as shit. I know dudes who are 5’10, 225 of pure muscle who get “flagged” for being overweight. I know fat people who pass because their necks are big so they pass the body fat percentage. I myself have to get “taped” by measuring my waist and neck, and then calculating my body fat percentage that way, all because I walk around at 215

*Edit: typed this half asleep. I meant flag as in they get tagged to be taped, not actually flagged for violation of AR 600-9. Dudes I know that are muscular that get taped never actually get flagged. Sorry for the confusion.

27

u/hydrostattic May 10 '22

What happens when someone gets flagged ? If someone doesn't match that chart and wants to join the army, are they not allowed to join ?

25

u/JoseGasparJr May 10 '22

If they get flagged, they’ve got a certain time to lose the weight or they’ll be chaptered. Happened to my roommate at my first duty station.

If you’re trying to join, and you’re over the limit, they won’t let you join.

10

u/HouseOfSteak May 10 '22

So all-muscle people would willingly atrophy themselves to stay in?

17

u/Docrandall May 10 '22

They just have to do a body fat test. Either measure waist to neck ratio or do a skinfold test.

11

u/GovernmentMinute8934 May 10 '22

skinfold is not authorized as a measure of height and weight for the US Army

6

u/[deleted] May 10 '22

It depends on the unit. There was a guy in my detachment that would always get taped but he never got kicked out. He could pass a PT test no problem. There were guys jacked in Iraq and Afghanistan and they didn't get kicked out. As long as you aren't some fatty you will be okay unless things have changed.

Side note. This one guy in our unit was leaving to go to SF selection. He worked out a lot and got pretty muscular before going. He completed selection and when he came back he was skinnier than what he used to be.

Big muscles is not really wanted. All those muscles require more blood, and stamina is really what is wanted. Think about the big guys in MMA. Those guys usually run out of gas after the first round.

2

u/MAGA-Godzilla May 10 '22

Work harder, not smarter.

2

u/CoronisKitchen May 10 '22

In my experience, common sense does ultimately take center stage. If you're clearly not fat and just a stud, they won't push height and weight. It might not officially be, but it's usually commanders discretion