Ministry of Defense explains the reason for using BMI index 18-29.9 for military service examination

Voters in Phu Tho province proposed that in section 1, appendix 1 of Circular No. 105 of the Ministry of National Defense, physical fitness standards are stipulated. In which, citizens only meet the standards for military service when their BMI (Body Mass Index) is from 18.5 to 29.9. This leads to many citizens with good health but do not meet the BMI requirements and are therefore not allowed to join the military.

PHOTO: NHAT THINH

Voters request the Ministry of National Defense to consider research and amendments to ensure convenience for military service examination for citizens today.

Responding to voters' opinions, the Ministry of National Defense said that BMI is a body weight index or body mass index that is commonly used today because of its simple calculation method, making it easy to detect people who are thin, malnourished, overweight, or obese at different levels of severity. The higher the BMI, the more fat in the body; conversely, the lower the BMI, the thinner the body.

Applying BMI index in health assessment and classification ensures more scientific and objective results than using separate height and weight indexes and is used by many countries in the world in health standards for selecting citizens for military service.

According to the Ministry of National Defense, before July 2025, health standards for citizens to join the army will be implemented according to two circulars of the Ministry of National Defense: Circular No. 105 and Circular No. 148.

In particular, Circular No. 105 stipulates general health standards and stipulates how to score physical strength, diseases, and health classification for cases of citizens joining the army (military recruitment, military enrollment, recruitment); Circular No. 148 supplements regulations on separate health standards for citizens called for military service.

During the implementation of Circular No. 105 on the selection of citizens for military service, the units found that the physical strength (height, weight, BMI) of new soldiers was more uniform than in previous years.

However, some localities have suggested that the Ministry of National Defense study and consider meeting health standards for military service for tall, thin, and healthy citizens.

Therefore, on March 9, 2025, the Ministry of National Defense assigned the General Department of Logistics and Technology to direct the Military Medical Department to coordinate with research agencies, advise, and propose adjustments to health standards on BMI index in calling citizens to join the army.

The Military Medical Department surveyed the entire army and received 102 comments from agencies and units, including: 19 focal units under the Ministry of National Defense, 62 provincial Military Commands, and 21 military hospitals. The general survey results showed that agencies and units proposed adjusting the BMI index in calling citizens to join the army: 16.0 - 29.9 is 1.96% (2/102); 16.5 - 29.9 is 3.92% (4/102); 17.0-29.9 is 38.23% (39/102); 17.5 - 29.9 is 55.88% (57/102); 18 - 29.9 is 64.70% (66/102).

On July 3, 2025, the Ministry of National Defense issued Circular No. 68 amending and supplementing a number of articles of Circular No. 148 regulating the selection and calling of citizens for military service. In which, the BMI index meeting the health standards for military service was revised to be between 18.0 - 29.9.