What Is the Physical Requirement for the Army Reserve?
The Army Reserve supports regular U.S. Army forces in time of war. Volunteers serve one weekend a month and two weeks a year. They can deploy as units or as individual soldiers anywhere around the world. To become an Army Reserve soldier, volunteers must meet the same requirements for enlistment as their active duty counterparts. Army recruiters are the most knowledgeable about these regulations and help recruits over bureaucratic hurdles.
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Age
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Congress determines the maximum age limit for enlistment into all the armed services. Each branch may then determine their specific policy at their own discretion as long it does not violate Congress. For general enlistment into the Army (Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard), the maximum age is 42 years old.
Height
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The minimum height required to enlist in the Army Reserve is 58 inches. The maximum height is 80 inches. For special programs such as aviation, there are further height restrictions to make sure that all recruits can adequately reach all the cockpit controls. Height measurements are conducted at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) prior to enlistment.
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Weight
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The Army has a guideline chart that specifies the maximum weight for a given height and age range. There are separate charts for males and females. For example, a 5-foot-7, 24-year-old male can weigh up to 176 lbs. A 5-foot-7, 24-year-old female can weigh up to 154 lbs.
Physical Fitness
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Though there is not a required fitness test prior to enlistment, there is one before recruits move from the reception battalion (where they receive their uniforms and shots) to their basic combat training unit. The minimum requirements for this test differ by age and gender. A 24-year-old male must complete 13 push-ups and 17 sit-ups in 2 minutes and a one-mile run in 8 minutes 30 seconds. A 24-year-old female must complete three push-ups and 17 sit-ups in 2 minutes and a one-mile run in 10:30.
Medical Conditions
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Medical conditions that can disqualify volunteers from enlisting include Type II diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, history of heat stroke, HIV/AIDS, pregnancy, recently diagnosed mood disorders and more. An official medical exam must be conducted by military personnel at MEPS prior to enlistment.
Vision
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The minimum vision requirement varies, depending on the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). Most require soldiers to have a vision measurement of 20/40 and 20/70, 20/30 and 20/100 or 20/20 and 20/400. To be an Army aviator, the minimum vision is 20/50 in each eye, correctable to 20/20.
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References
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