Should the ABCP allow self enrollment?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 21:30:41 -0500

I'm an ex-obese Soldier, I come from weighting over 300lbs, I have to work twice as hard as a "normal" Soldier just to keep the weight off. While I've never busted the tape, I know I have to do more and my workout schedule is pretty musch as the ABCP. We are quick to judge when we see an overweight Soldier without knowing what he or she is going through.

We allow a Soldier to look for help whenever he or she accepts that have a problem with substance abuse, ASAP, to the extent that if he looked for help prior to an UA and he failed, after enrolled in the program, he won't be necessarily be chaptered out. Which I think is good, at least he is accepting that has a problem and is looking for help, is always good to accept our mistakes and show that we are willing to deal and work with them.

In the other hand, many times I've been working out in the gym and young JE come to me to ask me what muscle I'm working on or the proper form of X or Y exercise. Talking with them, very often the 18-20 years old, have told me that they don't know how to work out because they never did before joining. In my short career I've seen young Privates bust the tape, even when they don't look overweight. Should we give those that either don't know how to workout, I'm a strong believer that PRT is not enough, or that admit that have problems with their weight control to enroll in the ABCP if this enrollment is prior to the bi-annual H/W? Should the ABCP be open to everybody that has a weight problem further than just busting the tape? And more important, should we open the doors to those that even within the standards recognize that have a weight control issues?

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2015 9:53 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 21:53:06 -0500

PRT addresses more than just the set's of drills that you're referring to. It also includes gym time in the scheduling and instruction. Your unit should have Master Fitness Trainers that can take these Soldiers aside or at the very least train their junior NCOs on the proper use of assets available to them. Enrollment in the ABCP doesn't teach these things. You can take advantage of everything the ABCP offers without enrolling. All it takes is a memorandum signed by the commander to go see the Post Registered Dietician.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Dec 22 at 2015 10:15 PM

COL Charles Williams — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 22:15:49 -0500

No. If you need help, you need to ask for help before someone tells you need help. I did, in 2000.... when I weighed in right at my max weight. I had our 1SG tape me and I was over fat; pencil neck... I was never going to be overweight... So, I did what I need to do, and I still do... By the way I was a 300 plus PT person... always...

Perhaps I am a zealot, but fat in uniform is not acceptable and reflects badly on our military. I love that we have a voluntary military, buy that comes with standards of dress, appearance, weight, and appearance. There is more to these standards than just looking good. But, that is another discussion; health and fitness.

We need height and weight standards, and the right PRT standards. If you can't meet standards, you have responsibility to meet them, or you need to find a new line of work.

While, I have never walked in your shoes... until later in my career SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member in that I was never overweight or over-fat, I always maxed the APFT, and when I got close to weight (as a Major) I worked hard (diet and exercise) to always meet the standard.

I still wear a uniform in retirement, and still have to watch what I eat and check my weight daily. I will not be fat and wear the uniform, as even as a retiree... it is still the uniform of the US Army.

Personal responsibility needs to take a roll here too.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2015 2:39 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 14:39:54 -0500

I saw a lot of good soldiers and leaders get out because of weight issues during my time.

If I understand the question correctly, a soldier doesn't enter into this program until after he has failed to meet the standard. Your suggesting that soldiers who recognize they have a problem be allowed to self refer into this program and soldiers who are perilously close to not meeting the standard become eligible for referral by their leadership without being flagged. That it be used not only as a tool for soldiers who don't meet the standard but also for those who are at risk of not meeting the standard.

Ideally this should be a concern that a soldier could discuss with their leadership, and having raised those concerns to their leadership that leadership would help facilitate appointments with a dietitian, and possibly even facilitate personal training and/or time to participate in additional physical fitness training when necessary.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Dec 23 at 2015 3:19 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 15:19:47 -0500

Why do you think you have to work twice as hard as a 'normal' Soldier just to keep the weight off?

Also, what would a 'normal Soldier' appear to be? One that has decent eating habits and conducts some sort of daily exercise?

Response by SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury made Dec 24 at 2015 4:39 PM

SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 16:39:28 -0500

If they are willing to get into the program. Better to self-enroll than to be told to go.

Response by CW2 Michael Berthiaume made Dec 28 at 2015 6:27 PM

CW2 Michael Berthiaume — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 18:27:33 -0500

In my Opinion, The Armys never been very proactive in Nutritional training. I fought the tape for years and did their Little Nutrition class, so they can say they Counseled me on it but its very poor. I have really trained up on it since Retiring, as I have focused deeply on Marathon training and help others in their Fitness Goals. Happy to help if Interested.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2015 9:35 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 21:35:32 -0500

I 100% agree that self enrollment should be an option for soldiers that truely want or need it. With the not knowing how to work out portion I dont think the abc program is what they need. Depending on the location, often there are free workout groups or programs that take place outside duty hours. Also if you look in fm 7-22 there are instructions on how to do different exercises with gym equipment. There are too many resources available for a soldier who is compliant and has no problem maintaining the standard to enroll in this program. But back to soldiers who need this some suggestions i think would improve the effectiveness of the abc program is when/if self enrolled no flag be placed however maintain some of the loss of favorable actions, but not all find a happy medium to prevent sham artists from obusing the system to get out of work and encourage those who need it to utilize it to get where they need to be and maintain it. Also start enphasising the dieticians more. Or possibly offer unit classes from a dietician. More often then not soldiers dont know the healthy way o loose weight and once they are out the abc program they often gain it back due to the unhealthy loss. Include a mft as head of the units remedial pt. Often time the remedial pt instructer is someone who doesn't understand the needs of the soldiers they are dealing with. They just know how there body works. Possibly include physical therapists into the reconditioning pt program. Lots of soldiers/ncos/officers do not understand proper body mechanics and dont recognize that pointing there toes 15% the wrong way can cause more issues than they know. I could continue on but i dont want to make my post too long. In summery i agree with the self enrolment. I have never been enrolled in the program however ive known some damn good soldiers that are just naturaly bigger that there career ended.