MCO 6110.3A - Marine Corps Body Composition and Military Appearance Program

Scope

MCO 6110.3A sets policy and procedural guidance for the Marine Corps Body Composition and Military Appearance Program (MCBCMAP). The order ships two distinct programs under one umbrella. The Body Composition Program (BCP) monitors weight and body fat percentage against DoD standards. The Military Appearance Program (MAP) governs presentation and the qualities expected of Marines, especially Marines in leadership and supervisory billets. Failure to comply with the policies and standards in the order results in administrative action limiting promotion, retention, and assignment. CG TECOM through the Force Fitness Division (C 469) sponsors the program. Applicability is the Marine Corps Total Force.

Audience

• Deputy Commandant, Manpower and Reserve Affairs (DC M&RA). Aligns promotion, retention, assignment, and reporting policy with the order. Provides the data system recording individual height, weight, and body composition data.
• Commanding General, Training and Education Command (CG TECOM). Program sponsor. Develops standards. Implements and interprets policy through Force Fitness Division (C 469).
• Inspector General, Headquarters Marine Corps (IGMC). Reviews MCBCMAP implementation during command inspections. Reports findings to the Commandant. Provides an annual MCBCMAP assessment to the CMC no later than 31 January for the prior calendar year.
• Commanders and officers in charge with special courts-martial convening authority. Enforce compliance. Approve fair and impartial evaluations including medical determinations. Consider BCBEMP-endorsed temporary medical exemption recommendations. Appoint a Force Fitness Instructor (FFI) or Command Physical Training Representative (CPTR) in writing.
• Executive officers and senior enlisted advisors. Evaluate officers (XO) and enlisted Marines (SEA) for MAP compliance. Oversee MAP-assigned Marines. Supervise weight reduction or redistribution plans developed by BUMED or certified Semper Fit professionals.
• Force Fitness Instructors (FFIs) and Command Physical Training Representatives (CPTRs). Run the unit BCP and MAP. Conduct weigh-ins and Body Composition Evaluations (BCE). Train BCE evaluators. Apply risk management during remedial conditioning.
• Authorized medical providers (IDC, Nurse Practitioner, Physician, Physician Assistant). Conduct pre-assignment medical evaluations. Recommend temporary medical exemptions through the Enclosure (5) sequence chart.
• Board Certified or Board Eligible Military Physicians (BCBEMP). Originate or endorse temporary medical exemption recommendations.
• Marines. Comply with height, weight, body composition, grooming, and uniform standards.
• S-1 staff and admin. Maintain the unit diary entries, the BCP/MAP assignment letters, and the inspection evidence binder under IGMC oversight.

Enclosure map

• Enclosure (1). MCBCMAP Procedural Guidance. Sections cover Objectives, Responsibilities, Requirement, Assignment Process, Administrative Action, Medical Considerations, Reporting, Exemptions and Waivers.
• Enclosure (2). MCBCMAP Sequence Chart.
• Enclosure (3). DoD Height and Weight Standards Table. Maximum Body Fat Percentage Table by Age Group.
• Enclosure (4). DoD Body Composition Standards Table.
• Enclosure (5). Temporary Medical Exemption Process flowchart (replaced the legacy BCP Medical Waiver Sequence Chart in CH-1).
• Enclosure (6). Pregnancy and Post-Partum Policy Flowchart.
• Enclosure (7). Glossary of Terms.

Program rules at a glance

• Two programs. BCP for weight and body fat. MAP for military appearance.
• Standards source. DoD Height and Weight Standards Table in Enclosure (3). DoD Body Composition Standards Table in Enclosure (4). Standards align with DoDI 1308.3.
• Assignment trigger. Failure of a Body Composition Evaluation (BCE) or failure to meet appearance standards.
• Pre-assignment medical evaluation. Authorized medical provider conducts medical clearance, identifies physical limitations, sets weight and body composition reduction goals, recommends nutritional and dietary measures, refers to BCBEMP when underlying cause is suspected.
• Pregnancy and post-partum exemption. Marines who are pregnant and Marines for 12 months after the birth event sit in inactive status for BCP or MAP. The Change 3 update (2021-02-23) extended this from 9 to 12 months. Pregnancies not coming to full term require meeting weight standards after consultation with an authorized medical provider on return to full duty.
• Temporary medical exemption. Replaced the legacy medical waiver in CH-1 (2017-10-12). Granted for Marines newly identified with or with worsening medical condition or therapy. Requires BCBEMP endorsement. Inactive for the current six-month period.
• Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) referral triggers. Two consecutive same-condition exemptions resulting in non-participation, or three exemptions in the most recent four years, or commander request when fitness or health for continued service is questionable.
• Inability to exercise. Not a valid reason for a temporary medical exemption from weight and body fat standards.

Change history

• Base order. 2016-12-15. Signed by Robert S. Walsh, Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration. Sponsor TECOM C 469. PCN 10209357500.
• Change 1. 2017-10-12. Signed by Robert S. Walsh, Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration. Replaced C 466 office code with C 469. Replaced Enclosure (5) Medical Waiver Sequence Chart with the Temporary Medical Exemption Process chart. Added Medical Providers sub-paragraph 2.e. Rewrote BCP Formal Assignment medical evaluation steps. Rewrote Exemptions section 8.a. PCN 10209357501.
• Change 2. 2019-04-16. Signed by D. H. Berger, Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration. The printed cover title reads MCO 6110.3A CH-1 AND ADMIN CH because the message carried both an amendment to CH-1 and an administrative change. Official sequence is CH-2 per the PCN progression and the Admin CH-4 cover memo citing CH-3 as the 2021 message. Revised pregnancy and post-partum policy. Established nine-month post-birth inactive status. Replaced Enclosure (6) flowchart. PCN 10209357502.
• Change 3. 2021-02-23. Signed by Lewis A. Craparotta, Commanding General, Training and Education Command, by direction. Expanded pregnancy and post-partum inactive period from 9 to 12 months. Page 1-17 paragraph 6.a. Page 1-24 paragraph 8.a.2. Updated Enclosure (6) flowchart. PCN 10209357503.
• Administrative Change 4. 2025-05-28. Signed by A. N. Sullivan, Director, Administration and Resource Management Division, by direction. Replaced the word gender with the word sex on page 2 paragraph 4.a.(1), page 1-4 paragraph 2.d.(1), page 1-6 paragraphs 3.d.(1) and 3.d.(2), and page 1-8 paragraph 3.f.(5)(c). Drove from Executive Order 14168 and OPM initial guidance dated 2025-01-29.

Commander action items pulled from the order

1. Enforce compliance with weight, body composition, and military appearance standards through periodic assessments and supervisory procedures.
2. Appoint a Force Fitness Instructor (FFI) or Command Physical Training Representative (CPTR) in writing.
3. Confirm Marines receive a pre-assignment medical evaluation from an authorized medical provider before BCP or MAP assignment.
4. Consider temporary medical exemption recommendations forwarded by a BCBEMP through the Enclosure (5) sequence chart.
5. Order an MEB review when a Marine hits the MEB triggers in section 8.a.(1).
6. Hold MAP-assigned Marines accountable through XO oversight (officers) or SEA oversight (enlisted).
7. Apply MCBCMAP findings to PES, IRAM, and assignment policy through references (l), (m), (p), and (q).
8. Maintain inactive BCP or MAP status for pregnant Marines and Marines for 12 months after the birth event.

Forms and systems

• NAVMC 11621. BCP Evaluation form. Used by the FFI or CPTR to record weigh-in and BCE results.
• DoD Height and Weight Standards Table. Enclosure (3).
• DoD Body Composition Standards Table. Enclosure (4).
• Temporary Medical Exemption Process flowchart. Enclosure (5).
• Pregnancy and Post-Partum Policy Flowchart. Enclosure (6).
• MCBCMAP Sequence Chart. Enclosure (2).
• MCTFSPRIUM. Data path for height, weight, and body composition data per reference (k).
• Naval Forms Online at https://forms.documentservices.dla.mil/order/.

Connection to higher policy

• DoD Instruction 1308.3. DoD Physical Fitness and Body Fat Programs Procedures, 2002-11-05. Parent policy.
• SECNAV M-5210.1. DON Records Management Manual.
• SECNAVINST 5211.5E. DON Privacy Program. The current revision is SECNAVINST 5211.5F of 2019-05-20.
• 5 U.S.C. Section 552a. Privacy Act of 1974, as amended.
• BUMEDINST 6320.66E w/CH-2. Authority for the medical evaluation chain referenced through authorized providers and BCBEMPs.
• NAVMED P-117. Manual of the Medical Department.
• Executive Order 14168. Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism, 2025-01-20. Drove Admin Change 4.
• OPM Memorandum dated 2025-01-29. Initial guidance under Executive Order 14168.

Connection to Marine Corps doctrine and lower policy

• MARCORMAN. Marine Corps Manual.
• MCO 6100.13A w/CH-1. Marine Corps Physical Fitness Program (PFT and CFT). The MCBCMAP pairs with the physical fitness program.
• MCO 3500.27C. Operational Risk Management. Drives the FFI and CPTR risk management application during remedial conditioning.
• MCO 5210.11F. Marine Corps Records Management Program.
• MCO 1900.16 w/CH-1. Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual.
• SECNAVINST 1920.6C w/CH-5. Officer separation procedures.
• MCO 5000.12E w/CH 1-2. Marine Corps Policy Concerning Parenthood and Pregnancy. Pairs with Enclosure (6).
• MCO P1400.32D w/CH 1-2. Officer Assignment Manual.
• MCO P1400.31C w/CH-1. Enlisted Assignment Manual.
• MCO 1040.31. Enlisted Retention and Career Development Program.
• MCO P1326.6D w/CH-2. Reserve Assignment Manual.
• MCO P1070.12K w/CH-1. Marine Corps Individual Records Administration Manual (IRAM). Drives BCP and MAP page 11 entries.
• MCO 1610.7. Performance Evaluation System (PES). BCP and MAP status flows to fitness reports.
• IGMC FAC 6110 Body Composition and Military Appearance Program. Inspection program drawing evidence directly from this order.

Audience by surface

• Marine. Knows the height, weight, body composition, and grooming standards. Knows the pre-assignment medical evaluation steps. Knows the temporary medical exemption path under Enclosure (5).
• Leader (NCO and SNCO). Recognizes BCP and MAP triggers. Conducts BCE under FFI or CPTR supervision. Counsels Marines on weight management.
• Commander. Enforces standards. Appoints the FFI or CPTR in writing. Approves BCP or MAP assignment. Considers BCBEMP-endorsed temporary medical exemption recommendations. Orders MEB when triggers fire.
• Admin (S-1, 0102, 0111). Files NAVMC 11621 evaluation forms. Records BCP and MAP page 11 entries per IRAM. Routes assignment data through MCTFSPRIUM.

Status

Active. Base order signed 2016-12-15 by Robert S. Walsh, Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration. Cancels MCO 6110.3. Distribution Statement A, public release. Sponsor is HQMC TECOM, Force Fitness Division (C 469). Applicability is the Marine Corps Total Force. Current text includes Change 1 (2017-10-12), Change 2 (2019-04-16), Change 3 (2021-02-23), and Admin Change 4 (2025-05-28). IGMC delivers an annual MCBCMAP assessment to the CMC each year.