Is Height an Issue?

[Pilot Officer]

When going into the armed serivices, is height an issue?

Do you need to be a certain height?

What is the attitude like to small people in the Armed Forces?

[Dave.Mil]

Too tall or too short?

There used to be some restrictions but I'm not sure of min height these days.

There are obvious practicalities we had an officer who could'nt shut the commanders hatch on a Scorpion he was to tall.

Short blokes always made good loaders as they could whip round the turret without banging their heads every 2 secs.

[scottishmatt]

From the official web sites:

Royal Navy/Royal Marines:

Medical Standards

The Royal Marines require a minimum standard of health and you must pass a medical examination prior to entry.

The minimum height for service in the Royal Navy is 151.5cm, with a minimum weight of 60kg, (this weight limit does not apply to the Royal Marines Band Service).

Details of medical standards are available from your Armed Forces Career Office, (AFCO).

Also, already discussed here:

viewtopic.php?t=5482&highlight=heighth+height

Min height = 151.5cm, Min weight = 60kg

Army:

What is the minimum height to join the Army?

The minimum height to join the Army is 158cm.

RAF:

Not listed on the web site but there is different requirements depending on what trade you want or which aircraft you wish to fly. Call 0845 605 5555 for more info.

[anglo-saxon]

I had two mates in the Brit Army who were both on the short side. Both around 5'5". Both good soldiers. One was actually a hell of a good rugby player too (especially good at "low" tackles ). Their height was never an issue.

My current CO is also pretty short, but he has the energy of a six-footer. He's called the Energizer Bunny, because he just keeps going and going. He also makes a bit of a joke about it. In briefings, when referring to himself he calles himself "the little shit". A little reverse psychology can go a long way. He's a good CO, looks after the unit/troops and knows his stuff. Again, height is not an issue.

If you're within the acceptable lower limit mentioned before, then who cares? Everyone takes a bit of stick for something, somewhere along the line. Just don't make it an issue - especially one that could stop you from applying to join.

[bootneck]

The minimum height for service in the Royal Navy is 151.5cm, with a minimum weight of 60kg, (this weight limit does not apply to the Royal Marines Band Service).

As Sticky can testify to that...............

[Tab]

There is a minimum height for all forces, and there is a height restriction
on certain jobs in the forces.

[bootneck]

A pilot has to be within a certain height bracket; tall enough to reach the pedals and not so tall that they can't fit in the cockpit.

Mmmm, now i know what those blocks of wood were in the presidential palace , the ones with the straps on.

[Tab]

You would think by now that they would have done away with the clutch and would have fitted an automatic gear box.