So they turned 1 in 3 recruits away? That’s what it implies. Another one of those phony government created stats.
Yes, they turned (and continue to turn) a large number of applicants away, weight being one of the big dis-qualifiers.
Sometimes it wakes the kid up and he comes back a few months later with less weight, but mostly not.
Having recently retired, and having worked in close proximity to the local recruiting command, I saw it on a regular basis.
If anything, they are understating the percentage of American youth who are just plain unfit to serve.