How often have you seen Soldiers eat their way out of the Army?

2015-05-29T13:36:38-04:00

Sometimes when a Soldier wants out of the Army, and they can't legally get out before their contract is up, they take matters into their own hands - literally. I've seen a few Soldiers decide to literally eat their way out of the Army. They intentionally gorge themselves and stop all PT activities. What are your thoughts on this tactic? Have you seen this occur?

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made May 29 at 2015 1:38 PM

2015-05-29T13:38:20-04:00

Hard to do it in the Infantry. You'll run off all the junk food soon enough.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made May 29 at 2015 1:41 PM

2015-05-29T13:41:27-04:00

Seen it once in my career. AF allows 4 PT failures in a 24 month period (consecutive is 12 months). This guy got progressively larger at each test. When I say larger...I mean larger. Max waist is 39 inches. by his last test, they taped him at 50. His first failure was a 41.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made May 29 at 2015 1:45 PM

2015-05-29T13:45:24-04:00

Side comment, every time I see a picture of that guy, I think of this.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 2:04 PM

2015-05-29T14:04:17-04:00

I didn't realize that was a thing?

Response by SGT David T. made May 29 at 2015 2:16 PM

2015-05-29T14:16:54-04:00

I think this is a symptom of something far larger. Our Army is downsizing, why is there not a mechanism to allow these soldiers to be discharged instead of kicking out good soldiers? Why retain Soldiers who no longer want to be there? Of course there needs to be some common sense applied to this so readiness isn’t impacted.
Honestly after I was stop lossed, had I honestly thought that they would have booted me out for weight, I probably would have gone that route. So I can relate to just being done with being in the military. When my original ETS date came and went I was pretty upset about it. My major act of defiance was only doing what I was told and nothing beyond that. I know not the right answer for a NCO but what did they really expect when I was no longer there by my own choice.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made May 29 at 2015 3:05 PM

2015-05-29T15:05:39-04:00

If you cant be trusted to put the right kind of food in the right quantity into your mouth and exercise with appropriate regularity, how on earth can you be trusted in combat?

Response by SFC Walter Mack made May 29 at 2015 3:09 PM

2015-05-29T15:09:03-04:00

I've seen it all too often. The best one I ever saw was a Marine that found soap he was allergic to. When the Dr. couldn't figure out why he broke out in hives all the time, he was finally discharged for being allergic to his environment.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 3:14 PM

2015-05-29T15:14:16-04:00

Sir, I have seen this several times in my career. Some before the war on terrorism and after. Soldiers see it as a way to an honorable discharge.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 9:51 PM

2015-05-29T21:51:59-04:00

As a Platoon Leader I did not witness this, however I did have one Specialist who was overweight and he tried everything to lose weight. He passed the APFT with flying colors and participated in the weight loss program, and dieting. He was unable to make the standard and was not able to reenlist. Despite that I considered him one of the best Soldiers I had and I know he tried just about thing.

Response by SGT Lawrence Corser made May 31 at 2015 11:17 AM

2015-05-31T11:17:50-04:00

two times, both before 9/11. Sad how we as a military put these guys on dirtbag status when good leaders help them or learn about their family life. genetics plays a big portion in weight and weight loss.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2015 6:44 PM

2015-06-18T18:44:57-04:00

There is one soldier I've met in my platoon who has failed every PT test given to him that I know of and still in. Unmotivated and doesn't care. I tried to get him to PT with me but he keeps blowing me off, but I have seen it unfortunately.

Response by SFC John Trujillo made Jun 18 at 2015 7:47 PM

2015-06-18T19:47:01-04:00

I've seen a couple get away with this. One, an 11C, first tried going on a hunger strike but decided getting fat was easier. He was tired of those in the Platoon Sergeant's clique getting credit for his work. The other was an SF 18B who did it right before Clinton had the cut backs, he got tired of being gone 9 months out of the year and seeing the support troops pass him up with rank and benefits.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Aug 7 at 2019 8:23 AM

2019-08-07T08:23:12-04:00

This really makes no sense whatsoever. I quoting here but it's an unknown source - just some I wrote down a couple of years ago.
"There is no way to simply quit the Army once you are on active duty. You are contractually, and perhaps morally, obligated to see your commitment through. However, you could be discharged from duty early if you are physically or psychologically unable to perform your Army duties."
I knew a senior NCO in the 70s that started failing ... well ... everything. He was psychologically unable to perform when on duty. His stress levels were physically observable in his face, skin and movements. Off duty he was able to function and the longer he was off the more he recovered, but within minutes of returning to duty he was like an autotron.
He was discharge with a General Discharge under honorable conditions.

Response by SPC July Macias made Sep 3 at 2021 7:17 PM

2021-09-03T19:17:53-04:00

Isn't it strange how haircut regulations are heavily enforced, yet a soldier can get away with being obese or having a uniform that fits incorrectly?