# What happens to linemen after the graduate United States Service academies? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 18, 2006, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-linemen-after-the-graduate-united-states-service-academies/373116 "2006-09-18T00:11:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Wordy\_Dirts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/4bbf92/32.png) [@Wordy\_Dirts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wordy_Dirts)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-linemen-after-the-graduate-united-states-service-academies/373116/1 "2006-09-18T00:11:53Z")
I know the United States military has a strict weight program, especially when it comes to commissioned officers; but what happens when a [300](http://goairforcefalcons.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/perlow_stuart00.html) pound Air Force Academy offensive linemen (really big football player for you that are lost) completes his commitment at the academy and is place on active duty? I doubt he’s flying F-16s, so what happens to these guys? ---
**Author:** ![Operation\_Ripper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/34f0e0/32.png) [@Operation\_Ripper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Operation_Ripper)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-linemen-after-the-graduate-united-states-service-academies/373116/2 "2006-09-18T00:56:59Z")
Hmm, good question. No sub duty either I’m guessing. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-linemen-after-the-graduate-united-states-service-academies/373116/3 "2006-09-18T01:17:52Z")
The Air Force does more than fly planes, you know? The 300-pound lineman could be doing any number of things - communications, mechanics, aeronautical engineering - as an Air Force officer. ---
**Author:** ![Operation\_Ripper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/34f0e0/32.png) [@Operation\_Ripper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Operation_Ripper)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-linemen-after-the-graduate-united-states-service-academies/373116/4 "2006-09-18T01:24:13Z")
> [@Argent Towers](#): > > The Air Force does more than fly planes, you know? The 300-pound lineman could be doing any number of things - communications, mechanics, aeronautical engineering - as an Air Force officer. Still, don’t think I’ve ever seen a 300-pound service man, or one close to it. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-linemen-after-the-graduate-united-states-service-academies/373116/5 "2006-09-18T01:41:47Z")
Well, there aren’t many 300 pound men out there in general, so seeing one as a serviceman would be even rarer. But if he’s in good physical condition, there’s no reason why it couldn’t happen, is there? It’s probably safe to say that he’s not a pilot - therefore, he’s probably doing one the many other things that people do as part of the Air Force. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-linemen-after-the-graduate-united-states-service-academies/373116/6 "2006-09-18T01:45:46Z")
OK, take a look at [this chart.](http://www.jagusaf.hq.af.mil/Brochures/H-Wchart.htm) Going by this, there is indeed a weight limit and the ceiling is 250 pounds (and that’s for someone who’s 80 inches tall.) I don’t know how strictly these specifications are applied in each specific case, but I suppose the lineman in question would probably be encouraged, at the very least, to lose weight. Maybe it depends on other things like his body fat ratio. I’m really not sure though. Now I’m very curious. **Airman Doors,** where are you? ---
**Author:** ![pudytat72](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@pudytat72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pudytat72)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-linemen-after-the-graduate-united-states-service-academies/373116/7 "2006-09-18T02:08:48Z")
Information from when I was in Air Force (until 1987). He would be put in the weight management program and required to lose 5 pounds every month until he reached his recommended weight for his height. Some programs had mandatory exercise classes 3 times per week and consultation with a dietitian. If someone had trouble losing weight, sometimes they were hospitalized so that their diet could be controlled and more exercise opportunities provided. Sometimes an exception was made with higher body mass, but at that time it was based on upper arm circumference. I’m sure evaluation methods have improved since then (i.e. body fat percentage measurement devices) Failure to comply with weight standards could result in Official Reprimands and even dismissal from Military (dishonorable discharge) It always made me mad that the weight standards for females were more strict than those for men. There were many men that were “in compliance with the weight standards” but did not present the appropriate military image. ---
**Author:** ![pudytat72](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@pudytat72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pudytat72)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-linemen-after-the-graduate-united-states-service-academies/373116/8 "2006-09-18T02:14:07Z")
Should have looked at the chart before. The maximum weight for a 69" tall female was 162 back in 1987, now it is 186. (and same for men and women). ---
**Author:** ![EvilGhandi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@EvilGhandi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilGhandi)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-linemen-after-the-graduate-united-states-service-academies/373116/9 "2006-09-18T02:23:43Z")
A couple of guys in my unit were weight lifter/body builder types and were _way_ overweight because of all the extra muscle mass. All they had to do was go to the post doctor and get a waiver. IIRC they did it once a year, after the annual PT test. ---
**Author:** ![cerberus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cerberus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cerberus)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-linemen-after-the-graduate-united-states-service-academies/373116/10 "2006-09-18T02:55:24Z")
Right. The general policy is fitness: if you can meet performance standards, you’ll be fine. Graduates of service academies incur eight years of commitment: usually as five years active duty, and three years inactive reserve. As for aviation programs, large and/or tall people tend not to fit in the hotter cockpits, and tend to suffer more heavily under high-G loads. But they would do somewhat better in aircraft with flight-decks. Ditto for submarines and tanks. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-linemen-after-the-graduate-united-states-service-academies/373116/11 "2006-09-18T03:33:07Z")
A college lineman has to put away an incredible ammount of calories to keep their weight up, considering how many they burn in a week during football season. If they maintain even moderate exercise after their season is over (likely, they are atletes), they will lose weight pretty quickly. I’ve met a few former pro players, and most of them look like regular people. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-linemen-after-the-graduate-united-states-service-academies/373116/12 "2006-09-18T04:11:22Z")
Actually, I know of one who played as a linebacker at the USAFA. He was a pretty hefty fellah, and showed me his picture when he was playing. He was well over 6’ tall (IIRC 6’4"), weighed in around 350lbs, and had himself a little belly he called “Shelf”. Anyway, I asked him about the fitness standards and being that large. His response? “Once the season was over, we had to lose all the weight.” This guy dropped something like 145 lbs. over the next few months to drop the weight–just to meet standards. I think it’s like **Lamar** says–they need to consume a lot to just maintain that heavy linebacker weight. They already know how to exercise, so it’s just putting a decent diet to a rigorous workout, and the weight comes off. Tripler Back in his days, this guy would have been a spitting image of Homer Simpson. ---
**Author:** ![pilot141](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e0b2c6/32.png) [@pilot141](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pilot141)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-linemen-after-the-graduate-united-states-service-academies/373116/13 "2006-09-18T08:36:35Z")
The Services are not as rigid as you might think. [Chad Hennings](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chad_Hennings) was a lineman for the Air Force Academy. He was huge (6’ 6", 267#) but not fat. He got drafted after graduation but had to serve out his commitment. He went to pilot training and did well enough to fly A-10s afterward. He had to sign several waivers along the line, though. One of them was while flying the T-38, the advanced UPT jet. Anytime you fly a jet with an ejection seat you are limited not only to weight but to size (length). Someone like Hennings who had really long thighs presented a problem beacuse no matter how far he put the seat back his kneecaps still would hit the instrument panel on the way out (ie up if he ejected). If he ever ejected from a T-38 his flying career (and his walking days) would be over as his knees got removed on his way out. But he stepped up, signed the waiver and flew jets for 4 years until his commitment was done ( he did get special dispensation on this: the normal Academy commitment is 4 years, but the pilot training commitment at the time was 8 years. ) Hennings obviously went on to have a very good pro career with the Cowboys. Another example is David Robinson. He entered the US NAval Academy one inch below the max height for midshipmen. He grew during his time there and turned into an exceptional basketball player. He was also drafted upon graduation, and the Navy decided that he was too tall to serve in any traditional assignment upon graduation. He played in the NBA while serving in the Naval Reserve, got nicknamed “The Admiral” and did more for Naval Academy recruiting than they could have paid him if they tried. Bottom line: they are not hung out to dry. ---
**Author:** ![ScoobyTX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@ScoobyTX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ScoobyTX)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-linemen-after-the-graduate-united-states-service-academies/373116/14 "2006-09-18T14:32:13Z")
> [@Tripler](#): > > Anyway, I asked him about the fitness standards and being that large. His response? “Once the season was over, we had to lose all the weight.” This guy dropped something like 145 lbs. over the next few months to drop the weight–just to meet standards. They have to lose the weight (and regain it for the next season) every year, or just lose it all at the end of their playing career? ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-linemen-after-the-graduate-united-states-service-academies/373116/15 "2006-09-18T14:42:20Z")
> [@cerberus](#): > > Right. \*The general policy is fitness: if you can meet performance standards, you’ll be fine. \* > > Graduates of service academies incur eight years of commitment: usually as five years active duty, and three years inactive reserve. > > As for aviation programs, large and/or tall people tend not to fit in the hotter cockpits, and tend to suffer more heavily under high-G loads. But they would do somewhat better in aircraft with flight-decks. Ditto for submarines and tanks. Boy is that wrong. Go to some of the military message boards and see the discussions. I can only speak about the army since I have never been in the other services. You can be discharged for being over weight. It doesn’t matter if you pass every PT test. If you don’t meet the height/weight standards a measure of your percentage of body weight is taken. If you pass that you are fine, you just have to go through it everytime. The problem is that the official army body fat measuring technique is a tape test. Your next and waist are tape measured and it is placed in a formula to find the percentage of body fat. It is very inaccurate and there are other ways to do it. I have known a few in shape muscular guys who happen to have skinny necks who have trouble passing the test. I have also known very big guys with bull necks that never have any problem. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-linemen-after-the-graduate-united-states-service-academies/373116/16 "2006-09-18T14:45:55Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Your \*next \* and waist are tape measured and it is placed in a formula to find the percentage of body fat. Did I actually write that? Of course I meant neck. ---
**Author:** ![Survey1215](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecb155/32.png) [@Survey1215](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Survey1215)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-linemen-after-the-graduate-united-states-service-academies/373116/17 "2006-09-18T20:05:47Z")
> [@Lamar Mundane](#): > > A college lineman has to put away an incredible ammount of calories to keep their weight up, considering how many they burn in a week during football season. > > If they maintain even moderate exercise after their season is over (likely, they are atletes), they will lose weight pretty quickly. > > I’ve met a few former pro players, and most of them look like regular people. I know several guys who were linemen in college and they were typically weighing between 270-310 lbs. All of them were in decent to very good shape when they were in school as far as conditioning goes, and now? Half of em are at their playing weight or above and look kinda slovenly. The other half dropped a lot of that extra weight and are sizes like 6-4, 220, 5-10, 215, etc. - decent-sized, muscular types. So its very doable for the players (especially ones motivated by military commitments, for example) to get the weight off. I have no cite for it, but I do recall watching an Army-Navy game a few years ago where the announcers mentioned how the linemen on both teams were often outweighed by 40 or 50 lbs per man by linemen on other (non-military academy) teams, partially due to service restraints. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-linemen-after-the-graduate-united-states-service-academies/373116/18 "2006-09-18T21:10:16Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Boy is that wrong. Go to some of the military message boards and see the discussions. I can only speak about the army since I have never been in the other services. You can be discharged for being over weight. It doesn’t matter if you pass every PT test. If you don’t meet the height/weight standards a measure of your percentage of body weight is taken. If you pass that you are fine, you just have to go through it everytime. The problem is that the official army body fat measuring technique is a tape test. Your next and waist are tape measured and it is placed in a formula to find the percentage of body fat. It is very inaccurate and there are other ways to do it. I have known a few in shape muscular guys who happen to have skinny necks who have trouble passing the test. I have also known very big guys with bull necks that never have any problem. In the Air Force there is an exemption that is left to the Commander’s discretion. If a guy is clearly in shape but is utterly enormous, thus not meeting the arbitrary height/weight standards, the Commander has the option to waive the requirement. Really, only an idiot would toss somebody out who is in too good shape. If it’s pretty obvious what’s going on common sense is allowed to prevail on occasion. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2006, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-linemen-after-the-graduate-united-states-service-academies/373116/19 "2006-09-18T21:34:52Z")
> [@Tripler](#): > > Anyway, I asked him about the fitness standards and being that large. His response? “Once the season was over, we had to lose all the weight.” This guy dropped something like 145 lbs. over the next few months to drop the weight–just to meet standards. I don’t doubt that you spoke to this person, but I call utter and complete bullshit on this guy. People who have surgical intervention for obesity ( gastric bypass, intestinal reversal, stomach stapling, etc. ) dont’ lose 145 pounds in “a few months”. They’d be dead. The guy would be dead. I would readily believe that a carefully controlled diet, and the kind of physical work-out that the armed forces applies to maintain the physical readiness of it’s population might make the gentleman lose 145 pounds in 18 months, a year is even pushing it. Cartooniverse ---
**Author:** ![Operation\_Ripper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/34f0e0/32.png) [@Operation\_Ripper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Operation_Ripper)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2006, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-linemen-after-the-graduate-united-states-service-academies/373116/20 "2006-09-19T23:03:19Z")
> [@Tripler](#): > > Actually, I know of one who played as a linebacker at the USAFA. He was a pretty hefty fellah, and showed me his picture when he was playing. He was well over 6’ tall (IIRC 6’4"), weighed in around 350lbs, and had himself a little belly he called “Shelf”. Did you mean _lineman_ instead of linebacker? That’s way huge for even a big linebacker I think. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-linemen-after-the-graduate-united-states-service-academies/373116.md?page=2)