I understand the need for physical fitness. It should be blending the needs of the Service with the people carrying out missions. Instead, we are given a steady supply of politcally correct guidance regarding how we should look, feel and perform from the perspective of congressmen, politicos and think tanks, sometimes with little or no military experience, but from the viewpoint of keeping a government grant (yes..being cynical here).
Hagel now 'mulling' a total ban on cigarettes in the military is a great example of how the brain trust is looking at insurance and cost savings rather than the real threats to our service men and women. I would rather our Sec of Def "mull' over how to keep our men and women trained, with the right tools of the trade, and get fair pay and benefits, a fairer drawdown rather than more of this type of garbage.
I dont particularly think we are cultivating a fitness culture. Sure we do PT every morning. But to most its simply a chore or something they must deal with in order to maintain the standard. I dont think Servicemen/women see themselves as althetes which is something that could help cultivate that fitness culture. "athletes" as we know them are professional athletes, they train and they eat to support that mentality because it is their way of life. its harder in the military to sustain a fitness culture becasue so often we find ourselve putting the mission first, whether its deployments or getting their company is 100% compliant with an online EO class.
a decent start might be to perhaps create some kind of contract with some whole foods providers to fill the commissaries and DFAC's. then maybe allow for time for meal preparation. People often say you can train all day but exercise can beat out bad nutrition. Well we get over an hour a day just to work out (some units even do two a days) perhaps allow for earlier work release for food prep and or cooking classes. Ill be honest, i couldnt cook well at all when i was younger it was either hot pockets or burritos.
In order promote maximum participation and discussion, here are just a few threads that you may find interesting or enlightening; thank you for all that you do, and... see you all in the discussion threads!
In recent military news; so, what do you think? http://m.military.com/daily-news/2014/03/31/hagel-mulls-banning-smoking-in-military.html?ESRC=todayinmil.sm
"I think it does need to be looked at," Hagel said at a Pentago...
Air Force Times Article: "24-hour gyms for every AF base"
http://blogs.militarytimes.com/offduty-plus/2014/03/28/air-force-bases-getting-24-hour-gyms/
Apparently, there are some hurdles to implementation, but nothing that can't be overcome.
Military Times Article: "Some fast food outlets closing on bases"