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

I would say do away with tape at meps do at end of basic if they don’t make it they pay Uncle Sam back. I lost 45 pounds when I went to basic. Some of these people don’t know what they are wanting to do.

No height and weight measurements if you get a 270 in the APFT .

Boom solved!

There is nothing that the military should do. If someone wants to serve in the military they will take the initiative and lose the weight. I lost over 30 lbs in 2 months so i could join the army. We need people that are strong both physically and mentally and are willing to put their team before themselves.

Back in my day. Run the shit out of them.

Here's my outside-the-box idea and solves a big problem in the NFL as well: institute weight limits at all levels of men's (boys) sports, including the NFL. 295 top end, and down from there, with limits set for groupings of positions. Force=Mass x Acceleration. No way to "slow down" sports, so the only way to reduce TBI is to reduce mass. (Look back at team ave. weights in the 70s...). Now - what does this have to do with obesity and military recruiting? Well, professional sports are a huge influence on young men. If the NFL led this, it would set a powerful example that would extend down to college, high school and Pop Warner. A high-profile partnership with them, the Surgeon General, Governors and publuc schools could be built that then also includes education vis-a-via nutrition, less sugar, less soda, less junk food, etc. etc. More fit, less sit!!

Is the pool of potential enlistees shrinking due to obesity, or the lack of motivation and dedication to serve in our military? Personally, I think it's the latter. Seems a majority of the current Gen Y and Z folks seriously lack the intestinal fortitude to serve our country.

Recall Veterans to AD.

When I joined 2009 I will probably 20 or more lbs overweight. They let me take the steps test and I passed so they let me in. I had Basic/AIT together (for Military Police). The training and strictness of diet and exercise helped me to lose what I needed to lose and I saw guys a lot bigger than me who did the same. The drill Sgts motivated us and "helped" us. I think that is the key. I had an LT who also did this while we were in Iraq and I lost weight there too. Dont be so strict initially on weight, let people join, then make them do their training all at once (not split training) so that they actually have a time to lose it and see how much better they can feel and look then maybe that will be motivation. I know the Drill Sgts should not have to be a weight loss instuctor but fact is some people need that strict guidiance to motivate them. Also , if in guard, while at drill we have a half a** gym that no one uses. Provide decent gyms and rotate squads throught it during drill weekend. MOTIVATION is key! Now granted, I am back overweight now due to medical conditions that cause me pain, pending discharge now. That is a whole other issue. Anyways, just my 2 cents.

No program's or real concerns will be addressed pertaining to the number of Americans who are too overweight for military service until it is declared a National Security Threat.

And that my friends is what we call a "Food Blister". See a lot of Air Force and Army folks infected with this disorder. Semper Fi