Do you have to make weight before leaving for basic training?

I'm not sure what branch you are referring to but I know the Navy wants you within 15 pounds. I have to take a tape test before I even am allowed to go to MEPS if I'm overweight but within the 15 pounds. At least that's what my recruiter told me.

I believe you do, it wasn't a personal issue for me, but I have friends who needed to make weight before shipping.

You want to go into basic with a little weight on you though. You will be thrown into physical activity right away and you won't get to eat as much, so you will most likely lose weight when you start training. If you are underweight or on the weaker side, this will make your life rough and may lead to injury if you don't have the endurance you need.

You can get a profile for double rations if you are really underweight, but this isn't a good strategy, especially since basic training DFAC food and constant MREs are not going to bode well for your physique.

If you’re prior service you’ll have to make weight or pass the tape. They could possibly tape you in basic or AIT, but it didn’t happen to me until I reached my first unit. If you’re a fresh recruit, then more than likely not.