Due to the physically demanding nature of the Air Force, not just anyone can join.
To ensure that applicants are right for the role, they maintain a strict height and weight requirement that applies throughout your entire career in the US Air Force.
Here’s a handy breakdown of those requirements:
Height (inches) | Max Weight (lbs) |
58 | 131 |
59 | 136 |
60 | 141 |
61 | 145 |
62 | 150 |
63 | 155 |
64 | 160 |
65 | 165 |
66 | 170 |
67 | 175 |
68 | 180 |
69 | 186 |
70 | 191 |
71 | 197 |
72 | 202 |
73 | 208 |
74 | 214 |
75 | 220 |
76 | 225 |
77 | 231 |
78 | 237 |
79 | 244 |
80 | 250 |
When signing up, applicants should check with their local Air Force Recruiter for the most accurate and up-to-date requirements, and meet these requirements to apply for the Air Force.
As the above table shows, the minimum height requirement for the Air Force is 4’ 10”. Consequentially, if you are fully grown and still don’t meet this height requirement, then you won’t ever be able to join the Air Force.
You also cannot be any taller than 6’8” (80 inches).
Similarly, if you weigh any more than 250 lbs, you won’t be able to join. The minimum weight requirement is 91 lbs.
It’s important to note that the Air Force requirements are contingent on your body mass index (BMI). This means that taller applicants will have a more generous weight allowance.
If your BMI is more than 25, you are deemed “overweight” or “obese.”
This lowers your chances of being able to apply for the Air Force and you should check that you meet the requirements before contacting your local recruiter.
Everyone joining the Air Force must meet these requirements, and existing Air Force personnel must maintain them at all times during service.
The height and weight requirements are also exactly the same for both men and women.
Pilot and Aircrew Positions
When it comes to pilot and aircrew positions, it isn’t as simple as referring to a simple chart or table for the requirements.
This is because height specifications tend to vary from aircraft to aircraft, but it’s safe to say that most applicants can successfully pursue a career in aviation with the U.S Air Force, as the requirements are pretty lenient.
Only if an applicant is deemed as significantly taller or shorter than average will be screened independently to make sure that their height doesn’t hinder them from carrying out their operational duties safely.
The Air Force strongly encourages applicants of all heights to apply.
In regards to weight requirements for pilot and aircrew positions, applicants must be a minimum of 5 pounds under their maximum weight.
For example, if the maximum weight for your height is 180 pounds, you must weigh 175 pounds or less.
However, some special exceptions can be made for those who weigh over their maximum weight and have a muscular build.
We recommend talking to your local recruiter regarding your specific situation if you have any concerns.
Physical Fitness
While implementing weight and height requirements is a great tool for finding the healthiest people for the job, it isn’t always correct.
So, to test fitness, endurance, strength, and stamina, every applicant must undergo basic training.
This is a notoriously physically challenging experience, which is designed to separate the ones who are ready to join the Force from the ones who are not.
To ensure that you’re in good health, all applicants will be fully examined by a doctor at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS).
The examination will involve blood and urinalysis as well as hearing, eye, and range of motion tests.
The MEPS will take a whole day, but this may be longer if additional medical consultations are required to ensure your eligibility.
The Air Force recommends working out three to five times per week, for 14 weeks if possible to prepare for basic training.
There are a few basic health and vision requirements that pilot applicants must meet. These include:
- Normal full-color vision with near visual acuity of 20/30 without corrective lenses.
- Distance visual acuity of no poorer than 20/70 in each eye, correctable to 20/20.
- Must meet refraction, accommodation, and astigmatism requirements.
- Have no history of allergies, hay fever, or asthma after the age of 12.
Does the Air Force offer a weight reduction program?
No— the Air Force doesn’t offer any sort of weight reduction program for its applicants. The weight requirements depend on the applicants’ height and are set in stone.
It can be helpful to undertake a fitness regimen such as is found in the Air Force guide to prepare you for basic military training.
Be sure to start your regimen a minimum of six weeks before you are scheduled to leave to start military training.