Short answer: The Army standard is a waist-to-height ratio of less than 0.55. The Marine Corps threshold is 0.52 or less. Both measure the waist at the navel and divide by height.
Army
Army Directive 2026-13 makes the ratio the sole measurement for all Soldiers and discontinues the height and weight screening tables. Soldiers are measured at least twice per calendar year. If the first number misses, a confirmation measurement happens the same duty day by a different team. A Soldier at 0.55 or greater is flagged and enrolled in the Army Body Composition Program. Commanders leave at least 7 days between the fitness test and the waist measurement.
Marine Corps
MARADMIN 066/26, effective January 1, 2026, sets a threshold of 0.52 or less, checked twice a year. A Marine who exceeds it gets a body fat evaluation by multi-site tape or bioelectrical impedance, and Marines who exceed body fat standards enter the Marine Corps Body Composition Program.
Navy and Air Force
Each publishes its own procedures. We could not open their current instructions, so we do not quote their numbers. Read your service's guide.
More: TRT and Military Fitness Tests.
Talk to us
Hew Health is a private, cash-pay practice in Destin and Orlando, Florida, with telemedicine in 47 states. We are not TRICARE and not part of military medicine. Request a consultation at hewhealth.com or call (850) 820-8850. Discounted pricing is available for military, law enforcement, and first responders.
Hew Health is a private medical practice and is not affiliated with the Department of Defense, TRICARE, or any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. General information as of November 8, 2026, not medical advice. Service policies change often. Confirm the current text.