Name: Marine Corps Requirements
Brand: Marine Corps Requirements
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Joining the Marines is a chance to get your career on track and be a part of something greater than yourself. However, you must be aware of the Marine Corps requirements for enlistment.

Your first step is to discuss your goals and plans with a recruiter.

However, it is an excellent idea to prepare for your recruiter’s conversation by being aware of the basic requirements first.

Related Article – US Marine Corps PFT / CFT Calculator

Table of Contents

Height & Weight Requirements

Marine Corps requirements include fitness standards — Image: usni.org

The Marines, like the other military branches, take physical fitness seriously.

Therefore, they have strict guidelines in place for weight as it relates to your height.

Marine Corps Weight Standards for Men

Height (inches)	Minimum Weight (in lbs.)	Maximum Weight (in lbs.)
56	85	122
57	88	127
58	91	131
59	94	136
60	97	141
61	100	145
62	104	150
63	107	155
64	110	160
65	114	165
66	117	170
67	121	175
68	125	180
69	128	186
70	132	191
71	136	197
72	140	202
73	144	208
74	148	214
75	152	220
76	156	225
77	160	231
78	164	237
79	168	244
80	173	250

Marine Corps Height And Weight Standards for Women

Height (in inches)	Minimum Weight (in lbs.)	Maximum Weight (in lbs.)
56	85	115
57	88	120
58	91	124
59	94	129
60	97	133
61	100	137
62	104	142
63	107	146
64	110	151
65	114	156
66	117	161
67	121	166
68	125	171
69	128	176
70	132	181
71	136	186
72	140	191
73	144	197
74	148	202
75	152	208
76	156	213
77	160	219
78	164	225
79	168	230
80	173	236

Also, while you determine the Marine Corps requirements for weight and height, consider the Body Mass Index chart to ensure you are in the normal range for your age.

Age Group	Body Fat % - Men	Body Fat % - Women
17 - 20	18%	27%
21 - 25	18%	27%
26 - 30	19%	28%
31 - 35	19%	28%
36 - 40	20%	29%
41 - 45	20%	29%
46 - 50	21%	30%
51+	21%	30%

Related Article – Marine Corps Height and Weight Requirements

Vision Requirements

While your vision does not need to be perfect, it needs to be correctable if you wish to be a Marine.

Your eyesight acuity uncorrected can be 20/200, but correctable to 20/20 with glasses.

Furthermore, the Marines look for new recruits with normal color perception, a normal field of vision, and depth perception.

Some jobs have more stringent requirements, so check with your recruiter if you have a specific job in mind to verify vision requirements.

Age Requirements

If you are between the age of 17 and 28, you can enlist in the Marines.

However, if you are 17, you need parental permission.

If you wish to join as an officer, you must be between the ages of 20 to 28 for consideration.

ASVAB Score Requirements

One of the Marine Corps requirements is a minimum score on the ASVAB test.

You must score at least 31 on the AFQT to become a Marine if you have a high school diploma.

However, if you have a GED, you need a minimum score of 50.

GPA Requirements

There are Marine Corps Requirements to meet before joining — Image: defense.gov

The Marines do not have a specific minimum GPA requirement to join.

However, you must have your high school diploma or your GED.

It is vital to note some MOSs in the Marines require a high school diploma. Therefore, check with your recruiter if you have a specific job in mind.

Also, if you wish to join the Marines as an officer, you must have your high school diploma and a 4-year college degree.

Related Article – Marine Corps MOS List and ASVAB Scores

Citizenship Requirements

If you wish to join the Marines, you must be a U.S. citizen.

The other option is having legal immigrant status with permanent residence in the United States.

Many call the permanent residence card that proves your status the ‘green card.’

Other Requirements

If you want to be a Marine, you must be in great physical shape.

Before enlisting, the Marines expect potential recruits to take the Initial Strength Test (IST).

The IST consists of pull-ups, push-ups, planks, crunches, and a 1.5 miles timed run.

See Also

Air Force Requirements

Military Pilot Vision Requirements

Vision Requirements for Each Branch of the Military

Author
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Levi D.

Levi served in the Marine Corps as a heavy equipment operator from 2007-2011. He deployed to Iraq in 2008 where he convoyed heavily around the Anbar province with a myriad of units. Following the Iraq deployment, Levi was assigned to various detachments who travelled and worked around Southeast Asia. He is now a freelance writer and outdoor enthusiast who spends much of his year traveling between campsites around the country.