Posted on Jul 16, 2015

Pool of potential enlistees is shrinking - due to obesity - any suggestions?

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Almost 1/3 of young adults are too overweight to even be considered for military service. This hampers our readiness, puts even more pressure on recruiters, and has over the years has caused our leaders to modify some entrance standards. How can we address this so that our military continues to have a plentiful pool of candidates?
http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/2015/07/15/report-nearly-1-in-3-young-adults-too-fat-for-military/30178023/

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Posted 9 y ago

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SSgt Bob Mobbs

Posted 7 y ago

When I enlisted in 71 I exceeded AF max weight. I went in on what was called a MEDREP (Medical Remediation Enlistment Program - at least that's what I seem to recall it meaning). I was taken out of Basic on training day 7, put in a special squadron that included diet, exercise, education and weekly weigh ins. After I lost the required weight I was put back at training day 7 and completed basic normally. I then went on to serve 6 years. Where there is a will, there is a way.

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LTC Jason Strickland

7 y

Great testimony, SSgt Bob Mobbs. I think there are probably a few others who have a similar success story. Thanks for your candor.

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LTC Jason Strickland

Posted >1 y ago

Former head of US Northern Command, Gen Gene Renaurt, offers his thoughts - and they aren't promising!
http://gazette.com/general-colorado-springs-kids-are-too-fat-to-fight/article/1557692

General: Colorado Springs kids are too fat to fight

A group of high-ranking military brass held a Colorado Springs news conference Wednesday warning parents and politicians that most kids in the Pikes Peak region are too fat, frail or stupid to fight for their country. The group headed by retired Air Force Gen. Gene Renuart said 70 percent of teens in the Pikes Peak region don't meet military recruitment standards, with the majority missing the mark for weight.

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LTC Jason Strickland

Posted 9 y ago

It appears the Navy is relaxing their standards...
http://m.military.com/daily-news/2015/08/03/navy-to-loosen-body-weight-standards-in-fitness-test.html?ESRC=todayinmil.sm

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LTC Jason Strickland

Posted 9 y ago

Maybe it's the cartoons our children are watching?? A new study about childhood obesity, published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology, claims that fat cartoon characters can trigger eating and body image problems in children.
http://www.parentherald.com/articles/7811/20150715/fat-cartoons-characters-linked-to-childhood-obesity-yes-says-study.htm

Fat Cartoons Characters Linked to Childhood Obesity? Yes, Says Study

A new study about childhood obesity published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology claims that fat cartoon characters can trigger eating and body image problems in children. The study, which was done at Colorado State University, said that children, who are often exposed to plump and chubby cartoon characters, may easily develop indulgences in food.

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CW3 (Join to see)

9 y

How about the reason kids are fat is parents are feeding their kids crap and being so self-involved that as long as the kid is quiet, they don't care? I think THAT is the real problem.

Example: My oldest is 13, youngest is 3. I work the beejezus out of both of them gym and reward them appropriately. The oldest wants to play Tight End, but was too slow so they moved him inside to Guard. He didn't like that one bit so we, as PARENTS, got involved, made sure that we weren't eating any refined sugar, drank a crapton of water, and focused on making the kid happy by working together to achieve his goals. Through lots of running and tire flipping he dropped some weight and gained speed. He's a Tackle now (and much faster) and moving outside towards his desired position was tangible progress that motivated him to work harder.

It's about being involved with your kids to even the smallest degree.

Everyone wants an equal shot but not everyone can handle equal responsibility, including lazy parents.

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LTC Jason Strickland

9 y

Good on ya, CW3 (Join to see)! Great example of being involved!

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Pool of potential enlistees is shrinking - due to obesity - any suggestions?

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