“I'm going to fail height-weight on purpose and get booted” – how would you handle this?

Height and weight standards are indicators of medical health. The Army says for a certain height you should not exceed a certain weight. So a person who intentionally wants to get out by failing height and weight standards has more issues than seen on the surface. It is a clear admission that this person needs help. So you go through the drill of reviewing the height and weight standards with the soldier and when he/she declares that they don't care, they are going to continue to fail it anyway then you really don't have much of a choice. I would recommend nutrition counselling and set up a psych evaluation. The soldier obviously has lost self worth and is willing to sacrifice their own health for a shortcut to civilian life. The counselling my provide some much needed good eating tips and the psych eval may uncover the real reason for wanting to curtail service. At least you are providing education to the soldier because there is life after the Army and they must prepare themselves for that time. How one handles the struggles in life determines they type of person they are. Life was not meant to be easy but it should be enjoyed. This soldier has lost enjoyment in life. He needs to get himself back on track whether or not he remains a soldier.

Everyone joined the military for a reason. Find out why that sm joined the military and what caused the attitude change. Sometimes the problem is deeper than " I want to quit".
Address that issue.

Send him to the chaplain. There’s a guy who knows about failing height and weight. LOL. Seriously though, he’s got a morale and maybe a spiritual/life issue that could be causing this low point. Maybe spiritual care and counseling will help. Maybe not. He may just need a med board. Not everyone is physically capable of the service.

Tell him thats fine and as his 1st. Sgt. I would make sure he was on every detail I could find that would help him lose weight and would work his butt off till he left or changed his mind.

Personally, what happened to me was i got tired of being in the military and said "F " it im done. But I was special circumstance. Had went blind in one eye. Got out on a medical. I was on anabolic steroids and in terrible looking condition due to massive weight gain, they could not chapter me for that however. So to the point. In the process i failed two pt tests consecutively. A company commander that did not know my circumstances was going to start chapter paperwork quick fast and in a hurry. So if I were to want out. I would go the rout of failing two consecutive pt tests. If you fail height and weight, they are gonna put you on the fat boy program, taking time and energy and spread it out for a while. Easier to just fail two tests. As a matter of fact the first time I was ona breathing profile for the steroids. My CO did not like me and had my breathing profile lifted so he could test me and when I failed he could chapter me. Sad part for him. At that point I still wanted to be in and I passed the pt test.

This type of nonsense irks me. It reflects the "entitlement" or "I'm going to do what I want to do". You basically sign a contract when you enlist. Uncle Sam paid a lot of money training a service member.
This type of mentality shows a lack of character that should caution potential (civilian) employers, or even educational institutions, about the individual's commitment, maturity, and self-discipline.

I would have him write down the details of his master plan in a sworn statement, and I would write a sworn statement detailing what he had stated; then, with the CO's nod, head to JAG, to ensure everything is in order; then hit him up for violation of article 115 of the UCMJ, and immediately have him removed from the unit.

Dirtbags like this become cancers in units.

Then, once he was out of the ranks, I would make an example of him, and ask if anyone else wanted to "get out"; with a Dishonorable Discharge, and potentially 1-year of confinement...... or do they prefer to make themselves better, and move forward in life.

While serving as a Navy JAG I witnessed a prosecutor/Trial Counsel cross-examining an accused who had dozens excuses for going UA, "Is there anything you haven't quit or failed at? " I was also a Department Head. This soldier needs "counseling" that giving up on something this big in life sets a bad precedent. Also I have been a prosecutor and criminal defense attorney for 40 years. Giving up and quitting is a hallmark of many, if not most, defendants.

May want to get with the BC and 1SG and let them know what you were told. With the profiles there may be some real medical issue and maybe it’s time for a MRB. Keep in mind that the Soldier may not be shamming; he could feel guilty for not pulling his load.

Everyone has an agenda! My goal was always to take care of the troops! Firm, but Fair! At their age, they are not always thinking of the future! With our experience, we can show and light up the way for them. Getting in was not easy, but getting out is fairly easy. How does this impact your future? Best option is to finish the enlistment to the best of their abilities, get that honorable discharge and hang it on the wall proudly. Our Government is the largest employer in the World. Having Veterans preference points is huge! Veterans hire great veterans, just saying!