• In order to enlist in the Navy, certain physical requirements must be met.french navy ship image by Wimbledon from Fotolia.com
  
  So you have decided that you want to join the U.S. Navy. Before you can do that, there are mental, intellectual and physical requirements to meet. The physical requirements are important because, throughout your Navy career, you must pass physical readiness tests and undertake physically demanding activities. At a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), you will be thoroughly tested to ensure you meet physical requirements before you are enlisted and sent to boot camp.
  
  

Height and Weight Standards

• There is a chart with established height and weight standards for the Navy. This chart gives the maximum weight allowed for your height, for males and females. According to www.navy.org, the minimum height and weight for a male recruit is 5 feet and 100 pounds, and the maximum height and weight for a male recruit is 6 feet 8 inches and 255 pounds. The minimum height and weight for a female recruit is 4 feet 10 inches and 90 pounds, and the maximum height and weight for a female is 6 feet 8 inches and 227 pounds. The maximum body fat limits are 23 percent for men and 34 percent for women.
  
  

Vision and Hearing Tests

• According to www.military.com, vision of at least 20/400 or 20/200 vision corrected to 20/20 with eyeglasses or contact lenses is required, although individual jobs such as Navy pilots and SEALs, have varying vision requirements. Depth perception and color blindness are also tested. You will also need to pass a hearing test by meeting certain hearing requirements as determined by the Navy.
  
  

Basic Physical Fitness

• At MEPS, your basic physical fitness will also be assessed. There will be no push-ups and sit-ups required -- just yet. Simple flexibility, balance, and movement of your body will be tested.
  
  

Blood and Urine Tests

• Blood and urine tests are administered to check for alcohol, illegal substances, HIV/AIDS, and pregnancy. The presence of any of those things or a dependence on drugs and alcohol will prevent you from being accepted into the military. However, if you do test positive for marijuana or alcohol (assuming you are of legal drinking age), you may be allowed a retest in six months.
  
  

Medical History Review

• You will be required to complete a questionnaire about your medical history, including your family's medical history. MEPS personnel will discuss your answers with you to ensure that you will be healthy enough to be in the Navy.