Christie tells National Guard leader to slim down; anybody else think this is hilarious?

2015-09-22T11:55:52-04:00

http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/guard-reserve/2015/09/22/christie-tells-national-guard-leader-slim-down/72607770/

Christie tells National Guard leader to slim down

Gov. Chris Christie wants the leader of New Jersey's National Guard to shape up.The governor has given Air Force Brig. Gen. Michael Cunniff 90 days to slim down and meet his obligations.

Response by SGT John Rauch made Sep 22 at 2015 11:57 AM

2015-09-22T11:57:54-04:00

personally I find this to be hilariously hypocritical. I wish politicians would hold themselves to a standard before trying to impose it on others, granted, this reserve officer does need to comply, but of all people, Chris Christie ordering it? hilarious!

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Sep 22 at 2015 11:57 AM

2015-09-22T11:57:57-04:00

wow! really! this is funny

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Sep 22 at 2015 12:00 PM

2015-09-22T12:00:12-04:00

SGT John Rauch the correct response to that statement would be "You First Mr. Pot."

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Sep 22 at 2015 12:03 PM

2015-09-22T12:03:01-04:00

Sounds reasonable to me. The Governor telling his guard commander to meet standards. Overweight and dodging PT tests. Who else will tell him. Christie is a civilian, he's allowed to be fat.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Sep 22 at 2015 12:06 PM

2015-09-22T12:06:46-04:00

SGT John Rauch - While I do think it ironic and funny, the fact is that the military has height/weight standards that must be adhered to, while there is no such requirement to serve as governor, even if he happens to be commander-in-chief of the Guard.

If this general has been in violation for some time and has been "dodging physical fitness tests", as stated in the article , he should be removed from his position, not given 90 days to comply.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2015 12:09 PM

2015-09-22T12:09:17-04:00

Hilarious, yes - but he's right, the Guardsman has a standard to abide by...whereas elected officials do not.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Sep 22 at 2015 12:12 PM

2015-09-22T12:12:14-04:00

"Hey Kettle, you're black" said Pot.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Sep 22 at 2015 12:27 PM

2015-09-22T12:27:32-04:00

The pot and the kettle. There is so much wisdom in nursery rhymes...

Response by SGT William Howell made Sep 22 at 2015 12:32 PM

2015-09-22T12:32:56-04:00

Dodging the standards. Reduction in rank and retirement. Sounds like there may be some conduct unbecoming an officer if he is using his rank to get around weight and tape. Generals to set the standards. They do not get to ignore them.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2015 12:33 PM

2015-09-22T12:33:47-04:00

I'm remembering that scene from "Goodfellas" where the Don and his boys are in the pen and decide they need to, "...eat sandwiches" to drop some pounds :)

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2015 12:43 PM

2015-09-22T12:43:02-04:00

While the irony is humorous, Christie is under no obligation to meet physical fitness standards. I'm actually very proud of him for this. It's high time things like this aren't ignored among top leaders. It only sets bad example for junior troops. I HATE the question from juniors about how senior officer or enlisted could possible have passed the weigh in.

Response by MSgt Danny Hope made Sep 22 at 2015 12:44 PM

2015-09-22T12:44:40-04:00

I think the word I'm looking for is "hypocritical".

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 22 at 2015 12:57 PM

2015-09-22T12:57:04-04:00

He's supposed to set the standard, so Gov. come over here and get H/W'd and taped. Let see if you make any standard.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Sep 22 at 2015 1:01 PM

2015-09-22T13:01:01-04:00

SGT John Rauch I wasn't sure that I read that correctly . Thanks for the laugh I needed it today!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2015 1:07 PM

2015-09-22T13:07:09-04:00

"Im gonna help you make room for lunch, bacon boy. DROP DOWN AND GIVE ME 25 SITUPS NOW!! COUNT EM OUT!!!"

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Sep 22 at 2015 1:35 PM

2015-09-22T13:35:01-04:00

I thought this was a Duffle Blog story until I read it.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 22 at 2015 2:08 PM

2015-09-22T14:08:04-04:00

He is the CinC for the NJ National Guard. It would be prudent for him to listen or submit his papers, then comment about hypocrisy. Different set of rules for military than civilian overseers. President Taft weighed in at 340.

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Sep 22 at 2015 2:38 PM

2015-09-22T14:38:11-04:00

Sound advice from Gov Chris "Crispy Creme" Christy!

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2015 4:28 PM

2015-09-22T16:28:08-04:00

We have military standards for a reason. The fact that he has not been meeting these standards and has created an image poor enough for his Governor to call him out is quite alarming. These are not actions of a leader, and as a General, he knows better than most what is seen as right and wrong in the US Military. I don't think it's funny at all, I think it's an absolute shame that he has been able to lead for the last three years while dodging standards so openly and without anyone within his chain of command, be it above or below, doing something about it. This man has been in the military since 1982, so the change towards fitness did not come at him like a brick like it may have for some who joined just as the "fit-to-fight" mentality began within the Air Force.

What's even less funny is that within this very same organization there is a strong perception of racial bias being held by General Cunniff and his deputy. I'm really not sure how he is still the State Adjutant General, but I think that speaks volumes about Governer Chris Christie, as well.

Response by CH (MAJ) Thomas Conner made Sep 23 at 2015 1:03 PM

2015-09-23T13:03:44-04:00

Although it is funny being told you are fat by a person fatter than you, the funny factor decreases when you are an officer (generals included) in the military. It is my understanding that every officer has to conform to military regulations. Obviously his staff doesn't have the courage to ensure he is within weight standards and has a current PT test on record, so his "Commander" had to correct him!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2015 4:44 PM

2015-09-24T16:44:08-04:00

well he is the governor but at the same time that is pretty funny.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2015 9:34 PM

2015-09-24T21:34:18-04:00

I think he should slim down. The governor's weight is not at issue. Governors do not have physical fitness standards. Military personnel do. End of discussion!!!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2015 9:36 PM

2015-09-24T21:36:56-04:00

I am surprised the General wasn't fired. What got Governor Christie fired up about it wasn't that the General didn't meet the Air Force standards, it was that he had received a reprimand for dodging the PT test and weigh in the past three years and neglected to tell the Governor about it. Christie gave him three months to meet the standard.
Pretty generous, in my mind. I think he should have been canned.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2015 10:23 PM

2015-09-24T22:23:46-04:00

SFC A. M. Drake,
We must look at it like this; the POTUS has never served in the military, but he is the Commander-in-Chief. So, if he told either of us to stop doing something that he is guilty of him-self we'd still have to comply. Doesn't make it right, but we still must obey.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2015 2:23 PM

2015-09-25T14:23:20-04:00

A fat dude tell another fat dude to slim down..... but the first fat dude is the governor and the second fat dude is General under the command of the Governor .... so the actual context is, a superior telling one of his subordinate to slim down.

funny and then no longer funny. LOL

Response by 1SG Adais Garcia made Sep 25 at 2015 11:41 PM

2015-09-25T23:41:57-04:00

Lead from the front HOORAH you cannot correct some e when you are Fat as F______ so get to PT

Response by SSG Michael Patton made Sep 26 at 2015 12:07 AM

2015-09-26T00:07:49-04:00

I was stationed at Ft. Stewart GA in the early 80's when MG Schwarzkopf was division CG. The weight program was just started. The General was slightly over standards. He put out a division memo that NO ONE under his command would be put on overweight program until he met standards

Response by GySgt Moses Lozano made Sep 26 at 2015 12:27 AM

2015-09-26T00:27:37-04:00

Typical, there are lot of fat ass officers who use their rank to get out of PT standards but are quick to burn enlisted for not meeting standards. Especially Majors and above. This nasty as General should be no exception. Either set the example or don't lead!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2015 2:07 AM

2015-09-26T02:07:29-04:00

Gotta set standards as leaders. The GOV is civilian and not held to our standards but the General is.

Response by SGT Christopher Churilla made Sep 26 at 2015 9:53 AM

2015-09-26T09:53:59-04:00

Actually Gov. Christie has been slimming down. He underwent "Lap Band" surgery back in '13 and while he has not publicized how much he has lost, it is estimated he has dropped 100 pounds.

Response by MSgt Erik Copp made Sep 26 at 2015 10:00 AM

2015-09-26T10:00:41-04:00

I think it's funny coming from Cristie but he is right. Maybe they can both go on the same weight control program.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2015 10:04 AM

2015-09-26T10:04:12-04:00

It's definitely an unfortunate irony under the circumstances, since it will be used against Christie to tease him. But the Air Force does have fitness requirements, whereas there is no PT test to be a Governor.

Regardless, if people don't like Chris Christie's policies or ideas, they should pick apart his policies and ideas. Mocking him for being fat doesn't bring anything... to the table!

OK, womp, womp.

Response by COL Jeff Williams made Sep 26 at 2015 10:30 AM

2015-09-26T10:30:21-04:00

First time in how long he took a PT test?

Response by SSgt Bob Mobbs made Sep 26 at 2015 1:56 PM

2015-09-26T13:56:58-04:00

I fought the height/weight battle for several years. As an enlisted man I found it ironic that the officer corps was not held to the same standard. My squadron Commander (a Capt.) was more overweight that I was yet was never brought to task. I am glad to see that a BG is now being held to the same standards as all the rest.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2017 11:34 AM

2017-09-06T11:34:46-04:00

Show me a statutory or regulatory requirement that private citizens weigh a certain amount. The governor is a private citizen. The Adjutant General is not.