A U.S. Marine poses with a retractable measuring tape used for body composition assessment at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Feb. 6, 2026. (Claudia Nix/U.S. Marine Corps)
WASHINGTON — The Marine Corps is shifting from height and weight tables and replacing them with a waist-to-height ratio methodology, the service announced Thursday.
The Marines’ waist-to-height standard for body composition shall be less than or equal to 0.52, slimmer than the Pentagon’s requirement of 0.55. The ratio is determined by dividing waist measurement by height.
“The Marine Corps remains committed to upholding our warrior ethos, which requires being physically fit,” Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith said in a statement. “This change to [the] body composition program will help us balance the health and performance of our Marines.”
Marines who score 285 points or higher on the Physical Fitness Test and Combat Fitness Test will receive an allowance that caps at 26% for men and 36% for women, according to the service announcement.
Marines exceeding these body fat percentages will be processed for the Body Composition Program, regardless of their test scores. The existing additional 1% body fat allowance for Marines scoring 250 points or higher on both exams remains in effect, the service said.
The Pentagon shifted from height and weight tables and replaced them with a waist-to-height ratio methodology that took effect on Jan. 1, according to a Dec. 18 memo from undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness Anthony J. Tata.
The new body-fat standards are between 18% and 26% for men and between 26% and 36% for women, the previous memo stated.
The Marines are planning a comprehensive body composition study this year to continue to assess and refine physical standards and evaluations, according to the statement.
During a speech to the top military brass on Sept. 30 at Quantico, Va., Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced 10 initiatives would arrive in their inboxes — including for height and weight requirements. In a memo, the secretary wrote the military would adopt the waist-to-height methodology “to promote consistency and fairness across the Joint Force,” and all service members would be evaluated twice per year.
Since Tata’s December memo, the Navy has implemented waist-to-height standards as part of its physical readiness program, according to the service’s body-composition assessment published last month.
The Air Force and and Space Force updated fitness standards in January, which included the waist-to-height requirements as part of its process.
The Army is still working on the implementation of the waist-to-height methodology, an official said.
