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

Yea... Tough one. On one hand I feel bad for the person, on the other ... I bust my ass to stay in shape and be a soldier, ready to respond physically in physically demanding situations, even if I'm never called upon. A trophy for everyone doesn't do anyone favors.

Just want to say that is very unfair the soldier has been a leader before he/she became over weight they deserve a retirement award

Complete BS!

SSG Brian Marshall I find that incredibly unfair and offensive. If a soldiers weight was such a problem, why weren't they chartered out before reaching retirement?

I fought a battle with AR 600-9 through the my career. Fortunately, I was blessed with a 19" neck, but I am sure that I would have retired one grade higher, if I was skinny.

The intent of the weight control program is healthier soldiers , but I personally know of an officer who died of a heart attack while running to maintain weight. I am sure that there are many more cases of this. Fat ain't where it's at, but skinny doesn't mean healthy.

To each his own, but essentially as long as I get my retirement that's all that matters. If that's jeopardized that's another story. Having the award is just something to have really. My question is when were they flagged overweight (JUST NOW) AND like nobody saw it coming or what? I don't know.

Just my Opinion from someone who Retired last year and entered the Civilian workforce. Retirement Awards are intended to recognize the Service Member for his/her years of faithful service to the Nation. So the Soldier does not pass tape, has this been a reoccurring issue? If so, its a personal problem and a Command failure.

Is it nice to be recognized at Retirement? sure, is it necessary? No. My DD214, College Education, and drive to ensure I was set up for success is what prepared me for the Civilian transition. Did they ask me about my Awards during an Interview? No, most Civilians don't even know what that stuff is pasted all over your DD214.

If the Soldier was deserving, the Command should ensure all paperwork is sent forward for the Award regardless of the current situation of being overweight or overfat. That reminds me, I think they brought Breakfast Tacos in this morning at my workplace where I landed a very good job after retirement.

in the grand scheme of things, retirement awards don't mean dick. Big freakin whoop, another ribbon for a rack that you will probably never wear again. It's not like it has any effect on your retirement. I got precisely diddly squat for an award when I left the NG after 11 years, 3 deployments, 2 company commands, multiple state activations, etc. Sure, I was transferring to the reserves and not retiring and it probably pissed someone in the CoC off because I was leaving, but 11 years and not so much as a handshake and a good luck.... But that didn't stop me from making O4 on the first board with the reserves.

As much as getting an award is nice, all that matters is that forever paycheck you're going to get. You know how 1-44 is, they bend the rules for officers and senior NCO's but not for others. You know how many times I've seen 1SG pull the staff officers height/weight stats because he was doing them a favor? If 1-44 does not like you for any reason at all, they will hold you to regs 100%, but if they like you, they'll work around it. Either way man, you'll have your retirement and DD214 and freedom. Even though it's not the same thing, I got the same ETS award as a soldier in 1-44 who never showed up to work, always missed first formation, couldn't be relied on to do anything, wouldn't even clear himself for his DD214 and served only 3 years.

IMO, this is an example of where a "20-year service medal" should be instituted by all government service. It would reflect the sacrifice of longevity without compromising the integrity of the awards system by inflating awards for "being there" as has become more and more the norm. Awards for meritorious service must be earned both in and out of uniform throughout the period of service being recognized. Failing to meet the minimum standard even in one area can and should effect the outcome of recognition, whereas a award for heroism is for a single act of courage (and even those are viewed with a whole person concept, e.g. Medal of Honor, Service Cross, Silver Star).

If you're still in the Army, you must meet Army standards. I'd figure after 20 years this realization wouldn't be mind boggling.