Posted on Oct 21, 2016
“I'm going to fail height-weight on purpose and get booted” – how would you handle this?
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This actually happened to me while I was a battery XO in Hawaii. My brigade had just gotten back from OIF and we were in that weird period of tons of people leaving the unit, and tons of new people coming in. I was in the motor pool like a good XO and one of the guys came up to me and asked to chat in private – he was a SPC (E-4) who was on soft shoe profile and had been for a few months. He was also on some PT profile, which many were skeptical of but that’s not the point. He was also quite overweight and in bad physical shape.
“I don’t want to be in the Army anymore,” he told me. “I’m just planning to keep failing height-weight over and over until I get booted out.” So I talked with him and we went back and forth about what’s really going on with him, etc. But he just stayed firm on: (1) wanting to get out of the Army ASAP; and (2) planning to put no effort into passing height-weight, to get booted.
Obviously I know what actions I took here but I don’t want to spoil it for everyone. How would you have responded in this situation?
“I don’t want to be in the Army anymore,” he told me. “I’m just planning to keep failing height-weight over and over until I get booted out.” So I talked with him and we went back and forth about what’s really going on with him, etc. But he just stayed firm on: (1) wanting to get out of the Army ASAP; and (2) planning to put no effort into passing height-weight, to get booted.
Obviously I know what actions I took here but I don’t want to spoil it for everyone. How would you have responded in this situation?
Height and Weight
Army Regulations
UCMJ
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 259
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I'm sure there is some regulation you can punish such statements under. Probably something along the lines of intentionally disobeying a regulation, uttering contemptuous words, ect.... My response would probably have been to allow that process to go forward and expedite it. With a draw down taking willing Soldiers of good caliber but a few hiccups in their past, why not create one more slot worth of room for a Soldier that wants to be in?
If there is a way to get JAG and IG in on a deal with the Soldier for a voluntary separation, it could go faster AND be with reduced benefits while maintaining the Honorable Discharge for the exiting Service Member. I can't remember the exact circumstances that can cover though.
If there is a way to get JAG and IG in on a deal with the Soldier for a voluntary separation, it could go faster AND be with reduced benefits while maintaining the Honorable Discharge for the exiting Service Member. I can't remember the exact circumstances that can cover though.
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Sometimes you can't help those who don't want to help. I'm assuming if that person is getting out and the way to do its failure of PRT/PFAs; it doesn't usually look good on a DD-214 (if I'm not mistaken). I've known a few people who got out because of weight issues and it wasn't that they weren't trying. Had a friend who gained 100# from having her son, and had lost about 60# when I left the ship; she was working hard, always at the gym and eating healthy, watching macros; it still wasn't enough. She was still overweight according to her height and her BF% (mind it was less than before) but wasn't in regs. She put in 7 years in the Navy and it was hard to walk away from something she loved so dearly.
In this situation, that Soldier made up their mind, there's nothing you can do to persuade them, Sir.
Good luck to you and the Soldier.
In this situation, that Soldier made up their mind, there's nothing you can do to persuade them, Sir.
Good luck to you and the Soldier.
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Is that actually the person?
I had a friend of mine say something similar, he was also in school and close to finish. I told him life would go on but try your best to pass.
I had a friend of mine say something similar, he was also in school and close to finish. I told him life would go on but try your best to pass.
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CPT Aaron Kletzing
those photos aren't the specific person -- just added them from generic image search
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Probably don't need him. For the time being ensure he isn't a risk to others. Besides, he may have plagiarized his plan from Homer Simpson:
http://simpsons.wikia.com/wiki/King-Size_Homer
http://simpsons.wikia.com/wiki/King-Size_Homer
"King-Size Homer" is the seventh episode of Season 7 and aired on November 5, 1995. The episode was written by Dan Greaney and directed by Jim Reardon. Joan Kenley guest stars. Homer tries everything to get out of the plant's new exercise program and discovers that being on disability would do just that. With Bart's help, Homer begins eating whatever he could get ahold of, including play-dough. Mr. Burns organizes an exercise program at the...
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I'm in no position to say what I would do seeing as I'm no officer, but if I were in your shoes I would honestly put him on some type of training regiment. Cause I've been on profile PT and it doesn't really help with sustainment, it only is there for you to stay semi active until you heal up. Or I would try to make him understand the consequences of his decision and how it would totally effect his entire life. If he was struggling with weight issues like even while trying to stay in the organization then I would help in any way I possibly could to ensure he got on the right path.
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I think a good leader should always take into account why he was acting that way
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My first thought is to have a statement written by the indiv. so stating his intended actions. Next send the indiv. for psychiatric counselling. All these being made part of his both personnel and medical files. This will help to prevent indiv. from applying for veterans benefits and medical treatment. Lastly initiate separation processing based on violation of Art 134 and others, as appropriate. It used to be referred to as multiple disciplinary problems affecting unit morale. It was highly punitive.
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First check and see how long he had left and how long he had been in.
In my unit we had a SSG that was going to ETS in six months. He had been in the over weight program and got out. He then purposely blew the next weigh in. He got out with 18 grand for being put out early. He had no intentions of re enlisting and received a nice separation check instead of a pat on the back.
In my unit we had a SSG that was going to ETS in six months. He had been in the over weight program and got out. He then purposely blew the next weigh in. He got out with 18 grand for being put out early. He had no intentions of re enlisting and received a nice separation check instead of a pat on the back.
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What's the root of the problem?
I put out a Soldier for being Gay. That wasn't her problem, her problem was an NCO that she worked for and her didn't get along. She wanted out, and she got it.
If he wants out, let him out. Though i have reenlisted guys who wanted out like that once you find out what the issue is and what motivates them. I don't have any special people skills, i just took the time to ask.
I wouldn't go after him for malingering though, even though he admitted it to you. I would probably tell him what malingering is though.
I put out a Soldier for being Gay. That wasn't her problem, her problem was an NCO that she worked for and her didn't get along. She wanted out, and she got it.
If he wants out, let him out. Though i have reenlisted guys who wanted out like that once you find out what the issue is and what motivates them. I don't have any special people skills, i just took the time to ask.
I wouldn't go after him for malingering though, even though he admitted it to you. I would probably tell him what malingering is though.
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