How do they "tape" you at MEPS?

Question

I am going to MEPS this coming Thursday to enlist in the Marine Corps. I need to make weight because I REALLY want to ship ASAP(next month or 2). I am between 4-6 lbs from being at my max weight and plan to continue to diet and exercise like crazy, but if I don't make it, how do they "tape" you? Is it possible to do it myself first so I don't get down there and find out I'm SOL. I know it's 26% for women to join, and they measure your neck and stomach. But where on both, and what's the math used to determin your percentage?

Answer 1

That's a question for your recruiter to answer.  It's his job.  The Marine Corps has a regulation, and I can tell you the reg for the Army, but not the Marines.

If he's taking you to MEPS without verifying that you make tape, he's too lazy to save himself time.  He should actually be asking you about this, and not the other way around.

Answer 2

1 inch above your belly button and the thickest part of your neck, go to about.com and find the on-line body fat calculator and you can do it for your self.

Vet-USAF

Answer 3

they tape males one inch above belly button and below the adam's apple of your throat. females are taped the same way except they are also taped around the waist. If you are concerned about passing tape a little FYI buy some hemmorhoid cream and siran wrap. rub the cream on your love handles thoroughly and wrap your mid-section with the siran wrap the night before your meps weigh in and possible taping. also if you are only a few pounds over weight start taking some anti fluid pills from your local drug store. start taking them about four to five days prior to meps. you can also drink some magnesium citrate, i believe that is the name of (ask your pharmacist where the nasty tasting stuff that makes you p**p alot is, but the name is something like magnesium citrate. Anyways drink this 24 hours before weigh-in. you will be going to the bathroom pretty regularly after an hour of drinking this stuff.