Body Fat Percentages in the USMC

[Anonymous]

Hi. I just read in the Marine Corps addition of the Navy Times, that the body fat percentages for Marines has changed. It is now required for all females to have no more than 26% body fat and males no more than 18%. I am about to go into the USMC and have been stressing out over this. I can just imagine how current, active duty Marines feel when it's their military career on the line. I read that Marines who are in the best shape, with top PFT scores are being considered "over-fat" by means of the "tape" method of body fat measurement (the only method allowed by the USMC). I have also talked to a few SSgts on line and they are taking drastic, unhealthy measures to get their body fat count down, to the new regulation standards, before their permanent record is blemished with an adverse body fat reprimand. I used to be a semi-professional cyclist and I couldn't get below 28%. I don't know what to do?**I have worked very hard to get in "shape" or should I say "physically fit" to fulfill my dream of becoming a US Marine, but I would hate to go through boot camp and start a MOS school, to be discharged a year or less later for being "over-fat". I am currently physically fit enough to meet the standards for the Corps with the exception of the new body fat percentage. I honestly don't know what to do. I would like to hear anybody else's opinion and/or experience with this matter. Also, if anyone has any advice I would greatly appreciate it.Thank You-LeeAnnA troubled Devil Dawg Pup.



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RaClr01@AOL.COM

[Anonymous]

LeeAnn, I saw that article, but didn't have time to read it. I don't know what &quot;tape&quot; method the Marines are using, but the one the Army uses is actually pretty generous for males. I've seen guys that were marginal in PT and looked like dough-boys in uniform &quot;tape out.&quot; The women's tape test is different, and in my opinion, over-estimates the body fat of very athletic women (it actually does a pretty good job of catching overfat, out of shape women). The problem with it is that, unlike the male test, the female test includes a weight parameter. ANY weight gain in a female, including muscle, is interpreted by the test as fat gain. As you can probably tell, I'm not a big fan of the tape test - there are better methods of determining body fat. The real issue with the USMC's new standard seems to be that these body fat percentages are unrealistically low for a high percentage of Marines. It'll be interesting to see if the USMC sticks to it's guns on this one when it has to start handing out discharges to Marines with 19% bodyfat. By the way LeeAnn, at 26% bodyfat you wouldn't be considered &quot;overfat&quot; in the Army - just something to keep in the back if your mind.



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peeplej@bosch-brakes.com