Should someone be denied a retirement award, after 20 years of service and 4 deployments, because they're flagged for being overweight?

Seem very "hokey"...... under AR 600-8-22; retirement awards while flagged for overweight are permitted. Obviously don't expect a higher level award for not meeting standards up to retirement date, but still permissible. Could an overweight Soldier still be submitted for an MSM? Yep! Realize that if flagged for overweight the ERB normally goes up with the award and the flag would (no pun) cause a red flag for a likely down grade. This, by the way; should NOT be confused with an ETS award if flagged.

A soldier or sailor flagged at retirement for overweight looks to me to be a scam, by the military, to beat the person out of retirement. Do they realize retirement is not the same as deployment, what difference does it make if the retiree is over weight? The difference is, a lot of money is saved if retirement is not paid. I hate to think that our Government would deny a legitimate claim for retirement, but there are too many examples of this happening.

Someone I'm sure more than one has allowed the member to continue his service. Now when the member is eligible for a 20 year retirement. These failed leaders want to run up the bullsh*t flag, cry foul and demand this punishment. Those that allowed this member to reach 20 years and remain in violation of standards should be standing tall in an Article 15. Member did his 20 years, you kept him. He deserves the retirement he worked and sacrificed for.

This is nothing but bad leadership. You can sound off all you want about member knew the standards, I counseled the member, etc etc etc. At some point member should have been processed IF leadership had done their job. You!, leader you're responsible for this member. If you didn't do your job to get him squared away. Which you obviously didn't. Then sit down and shut-up.

He earned his 20 year retirement.

If we're able to retire and collect a pension you've done good. Retirement award may look nice sitting on your wall but a bank statement with a DFAS deposit every month for the rest of your life is much better. Close that chapter and start a new one. I get what your saying it's like a slap in the face for the time you've done but does it really matter?

I think he still deserves it. Unfortunately, failing the tape test without a medical justification flags a Soldier. We, the regulation complying ones, deserve more than an ARCOM, MSM, etc... but we just take it FIDO (drive on!) So drive on and enjoy retirement. It's much more than awards, OERs/NCOERs, formations, PT, etc... Again FIDO brothers

20 year letter is enough of a reward for myself.

They can get an award, if the unit is willing to have the dedication and foresight to process a waiver then there is a system in place for deserving Soldiers to still receive an award at retirement.

Commanders can still give him an award, it's in the regs, but at that point, I don't think I would care, I'd still participate in the retirement ceremony and let everyone see that my commander didn't approve my award

If the height/weight system was actually accurate and displayed something near an actual body fat count, I would have no problem with this, but since the system.in place has been proven by multiple studies to be the most inaccurate system out there and is not recognized as a means to measure body fat by anyone but the DOD I don't believe that this is appropriate.

The problem I have had with 600-9 , is that it does not take into account a person's body type. Is the person a ectomorph (thin person), mesomorph (average or medium sized), or endomorph (a larger person). We try and use a one size fits all, when medical science tells us that is not the case. Telling a Endomorph to loose weight or meet a certain PT score, is not as easy at it sounds. The ones who put on weight and can loose it (ecto and mesomorphs) are at a distinct advantage over the mesomorphs.

That said the ectomorph is at a distinct disadvantage as it is harder for them to put on true muscle mass, where for the other two it comes easier. Arbitrarily applying a PT standard to all three IMHO is not the correct answer. Who can carry more ammo the ecto or the meso? If all other things are equal I am going for the meso. Which Is why I am supporting the concept of PT tests being scaled to job's. A 13Bravo has a different job from an infantry soldier, from a tanker, from a fueler, thus the Pt test should be different based on job and body type. My 2 cents.