Marines Ditch Traditional Height-Weight Method - New Test Effective Now
Military.com | By Robert Billard
Published February 27, 2026 at 10:53am ET
The Marine Corps has dropped its long-standing height-and-weight screening process. MARADMIN 066/26, released Feb. 26, 2026, finalizes the switch to waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) as the primary screening tool. Change 1 refines the advance notification from December 2025 and applies to all Marines, active and reserve, effective Jan, 1, 2026.
The new standard requires a waist-to-height ratio below 0.52.
The waist is measured at the navel and divided by height. Exceed the limit, and the Marine moves to body fat testing. They must pass either the multi-site tape test or bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Passing one method clears the record. Failing both places the Marine on the Body Composition Program.
https://www.military.com/feature/2026/02/27/marines-ditch-traditional-height-weight-method-new-test-effective-now.html
