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/
http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/2015/07/15/report-nearly-1-in-3-young-adults-too-fat-for-military/30178023/
Posted in these groups: 
Recruiting
Readiness
Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS)
79R: Recruiter
8411: Basic Recruiter
Recruiting Readiness Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) 79R: Recruiter 8411: Basic Recruiter
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 94
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It's all about having the will and discipline to eat right and work out. It's not that hard honestly. If they want it that bad, they'll do whatever they can to make it.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
SCPO David Lockwood I agree with you. I think it's a great idea. We have enough Bases around the country that we could do an "outreach program" with sort of month long clinics. It's not like we don't have long abandoned barracks (old Quonset huts) we couldn't use to give folks a taste of things. Treat it like a "summer camp" or try it on for size. Classes on the military, exercise, diet & nutrition.
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SFC Timothy Rose
Best idea I've heard yet SCPO Lockwood. Your 2nd statement about the homes these kids come from is dead on. I recruited for 8 years in the Army and it broke my heart when I had a young kid who really tried but could not get to the standards. In my days a recruiter did not have enough time in the day to watch every meal the person ate. A live in type program like you talked about that could teach physical fitness and nutrition would benefit all.
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CW4 Scott Hyde
Some recruiters do this to ensure their recruits make the cut but a recruit that is 20 plus over max, it is tough to get them in shape with their limited resources.
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SPC Sheila Lewis
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS - Why should the Military fix what civilians didn't even think about? If a person really wants to join, they will do what is necessary and prepare. Others are ready and able.
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We may need to provisionally enlist them contingent on their successful weight loss in special fitness camps.
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What irony. At the beginning of WW2, many were initially rejected for service as they were too scrawny. Audie Murphy was turned down by the Marines and Navy before being accepted by the Army. Like my father and an uncle, he lied about his age to join.
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Being in the military is serious business, if you can't perform under combat conditions then you're a liability and you could possible get killed or get others killed. When you go to combat it's a come as you are situation...no time to lose weight. Much easier to maintain fitness than get in shape. If you can't hack it pack it. Need to make basic TOUGH to much political correct BS going on get in their faces, push them, this isn't the boy scouts.........
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The answer partially lies within the question. Obesity is a condition of extreme fat. Overweight is not. Is a defensive lineman who is 6'4" and 310 obese? Surely there are issues at hand, but the ability to perform and execute the mission are paramount.
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CSM Charles Hayden
MSG Barry Kerby Are you referring to my grand nephew who started at Offensive Tackle at Penn State for Joe Paterno about 2005?
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MSG Barry Kerby
Yes. We are quick to judge based on superficial reasons presented. Your nephew was the right person at the right time for the job at hand. Obesity is a condition of gluttony, being heavy (or big) is not a condition of gluttony. So, the answer lies within the question.
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Easy, stop the senseless rcp of E-4 -E-5 , so you can chapter out the waste of space Joes, and keep the worker types. Also the whole promotion system needs an overhaul. So it actually promotes leaders, not just space fillers.
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CW4 Scott Hyde
RCP time lines are pretty liberal and generally only have negative impact on slow or non performing Soldiers in an MOS that is not over strength or low density.
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SPC Dale St. Pierre
No, but nice try. There are some mos that force you out if the timing is bad. In 2010 88M you couldn't just re-enlist. You had to reclass. No other options. And if you didn't qualify for the open jobs, you were out. End of story.
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SPC Erich Guenther
SPC Dale St. Pierre - Didn't qualify for the open jobs? You have to explain that in more detail. Did you just barely make it into 88M via cutoff score? If so the self development for improvement was on you. Agree with the CW4 on RCP's, that should be the last thing the Army messes with.
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Isn't that Sad. Too many "Obese" young people that can't join. What the Hell!
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
CW4 Scott Hyde - Too Easy Blanket Lay the Blame at the Parents, Society that Sells 1$ Burger and $7 Salads doesn't Help especially if You're Poor. Also, I was Blessed as are a Lot of my Clan with Overactive Body Metabolism which Meant Me, My Daughter and Her Crew can Eat like Hogs and not Gain an Ounce (At Least for a While into our 40s)
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CW4 Scott Hyde
Eat at home, make your own salad and get outside for walking/playing/sports. But, I guess a happy meal gives parents more time for smoking and Facebook. Salads take time to make and NCIS is on at 7PM. You know, priorities.
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CPO James Stafford
CW4 Scott Hyde - That is good in thought but not a reality. Have you been to the produce section of a grocery store lately? It costs more to buy the ingredients for a small salad (unless all that you want is lettuce) than it does to fix hamburgers and fries. And the healthier the pre-prepared meal, the more expensive it is. With mom and dad both having to work to make ends meet these days, it is quicker to get the children Mc Donalds or Pizza on the way home than make them wait until 7:30 or 8:00 to eat. And when mom and dad both work, and they want to ensure that the children stay safe, they restrain the children to be in the house instead of outside after school. So, what activity can the engross themselves into - but the tv, computer or video games? Men's greed has made it so that the life style of the 50s and 60s can no longer be acquired. Wages have increased, prices of goods have increased, and the circle just keeps expanding. And the things that people do to each other these days mean that children can not go outside and be active when mom and dad are not home because it is not safe for them. So what is the answer? We have to get back to the morals and life style of at least the 50s and 60s so that children have at least one parent at home when they come home from school and can spend the time that their body needs outside playing (exercising). Unless and until we do that, the problem will only get worse.
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CSM Charles Hayden
Unexpected comment from a recruiter - I always thought recruiters were positive thinkers!
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