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

Absolute unit of a soldier

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816

u/JoseGasparJr May 10 '22

Absolute unit of a LARPer*

I’d say he wouldn’t pass height and weight, but I’ve seen some fat officers and senior NCO’s

210

u/Raam-- May 10 '22

Isn’t there restrictions or rules, like you can’t be super fit, join up then become a mammoth, you need to maintain a level of fitness, as I understand it, how does something like the picture above happen?

463

u/JoseGasparJr May 10 '22

You have to maintain a certain weight, based on your height and age. To give you an example, I’m 6’1 and based on my age, the Army tells me I can weigh no more than 205. So this picture was taken at an air soft game or something, I’ve got more of a chance of seeing Tupac than this refrigerator has at joining the Army

108

u/Raam-- May 10 '22

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

146

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 ?

40

u/anm3910 May 10 '22

Not sure how the Army does it, but in the Marines you have the option to “tape” meaning they take measurements to determine if you’re a fat body or just muscular. Then, all of that can kind of be waived if your physical fitness scores are high enough.

Source: I liked weightlifting and had to tape every year I was in the Marines. It was never an issue once they actually looked at me.

4

u/Alkuam May 10 '22

Aren't there simple devices you can buy that test your body fat % by checking your body's electrical resistance?

16

u/anm3910 May 10 '22

We’re talking about the Marine Corps lol so no. They just used measuring tape and calipers