The Marine Corps has dropped its long-standing height-and-weight screening course of. MARADMIN 066/26, launched Feb. 26, 2026, finalizes the swap to waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) as the first screening instrument. Change 1 refines the advance notification from December 2025 and applies to all Marines, energetic and reserve, efficient Jan, 1, 2026.
The brand new normal requires a waist-to-height ratio under 0.52.
The waist is measured on the navel and divided by peak. Exceed the restrict, and the Marine strikes to physique fats testing. They have to go both the multi-site tape take a look at or bioelectrical impedance evaluation (BIA). Passing one technique clears the report. Failing each locations the Marine on the Physique Composition Program.
The Corps set a tighter normal than the 0.55 utilized by another providers to take care of a leaner, extra combat-effective power.
How Measurements Work
Screenings occur semiannually. Peak is rounded right down to the closest half inch. The waist measurement makes use of a self-tensioning tape on the navel, taken twice by a same-sex evaluator. The decrease studying is chosen and rounded down.
The MARADMIN provides the specifics, however for instance: A Marine that’s 72 inches tall can not exceed 37 inches on the waist. A 70-inch Marine tops out at 36 inches. If the ratio is 0.52 or larger, physique fats evaluation follows instantly (BIA will change the tape take a look at for physique fats evaluation as soon as gear reaches all items).
Incentives for Excessive Performers
Marines scoring 285 or larger on each the Bodily Health Take a look at (PFT) and Fight Health Take a look at (CFT) can have as much as 26 % physique fats for males and 36 % for females. These scoring 250 or larger obtain a further 1 % allowance. These breaks require clear first-class scores with out waivers within the present interval.
This construction encourages constant, year-round coaching and helps sturdy performing Marines who carry out effectively on the assessments.
Transition Particulars
Marines screened between January 1 and February 26 should be remeasured utilizing the brand new guidelines. Waiver requests for operational wants are on account of Coaching and Training Command by Might 1, 2026.
Present Physique Composition Program assignments get reviewed. Those that now meet the waist-to-height ratio normal have the flag eliminated. Pre-January assignments proceed unchanged. Reserve Marines now observe the identical semiannual schedule.
This replace builds on the unique December 2025 announcement coated by navy.com.
Readiness Focus
The adjustments align with the Secretary of Battle’s steering on service-wide health expectations. Extra central physique fats can restrict mobility and endurance below full fight load. The brand new system targets that difficulty extra precisely whereas rewarding confirmed bodily efficiency. It additionally helps sex-neutral requirements for fight arms Marines.
What Marines Ought to Do Now
Go to health.marines.mil for the whole waist chart, worksheets, and steering. Focus coaching on PFT and CFT occasions to unlock the efficiency allowances. Commanders ought to guarantee evaluators observe the precise measurement protocol.
The Marine Corps has changed an outdated course of with one which higher matches battlefield wants. Keep lean and prepare laborious. These requirements acknowledge actual functionality in an period the place bodily readiness can decide mission success.
