What happens if a soldier fails to meet height and weight standards?

When a soldier fails to meet height and weight standards, they are flagged. This action is part of the military's efforts to maintain readiness and a healthy force. A flag indicates that the soldier is not in compliance with physical fitness standards, which can affect their career progression, promotions, and assignments.

The flagging process serves as a formal notification that the soldier is not meeting required standards, placing them in a status that necessitates corrective action. This usually includes options such as undergoing physical fitness training or addressing any health issues that may be contributing to their inability to meet the standards.

In contrast, other choices like retirement, sending the soldier to special training, or implementing a performance improvement plan are not typical immediate outcomes of failing to meet these specific standards. These actions may apply in other contexts but not directly as a result of height and weight compliance failures.