So I have a soldier who is overweight and wants to get squared away. I have heard of fat camp, but does this really exist?

SGT (Join to see), yes, fat camp exists and you are in charge of it SGT, especially for this Soldier of yours! Your Soldier is a reflection of you, and sounds like this Soldiers is motivated - keep pushing, this is an easy win, but you have to invest the time and get rid of the cakes and pies! You've done the hard part in instilling a sense of pride (wanting to improve), now you have to lead by example and follow up.

Wanting to get squared away is the first step. Rock on!

A couple suggestions rather than looking at "fat camp."

1) Height/Weight is all about MATH. It's a super simple equation, but a lot of folks don't get it. Basically, your body is burning Energy (calories), and you have to eat food to support that. Food is Fuel. Go into a Deficit (less calories than you Burn) and you lose weight. Go into a Surplus (more calories than you Burn), and you gain weight. If you can teach him this #1 rule, he's on the "right path."

2) There are "tricks" to ASSIST getting him back in regs. These are SHORT TERM solutions to LONG TERM PROBLEMS (See #1).

a) Cut out all Fast Food. No McDonalds. No Taco Bell. No Pizza. If you can't get it at the chow hall or make it on a stove, don't eat it.

b) No Sodas, or Drinks that have sugars. These are "Empty Calories." The average Soda (12oz) has 200-250 calories. That's 1/10 of your daily intake of food and 1/3 of what you need for Carbohydrates. They pack on weight. Stop drinking them.

c) No Alcohol. If your body is processing alcohol, it's not burning Fat. It's Either/Or. Also, many Alcohols have sugar in them. It's like drinking bread.

d) Cut salt intake as much as you can. Salt retains water.

e) Develop a Meal Plan, and sit down with him and eat it. PM if you need help. But trim the carbs, and bump the protein/fat. This is a SHORT TERM SOLUTION. The goal is to burn off a lot of WATER WEIGHT quickly (See d), which makes it easier to exercise, which in turn makes it easier to burn fat. (See Atkins' Diet)

3) Exercise plan. Exercise has a lot of great benefits. Generally speaking however weight loss is not one of them. The majority of weight loss is going to come from diet/nutrition. Exercise (energy consumption) provides benefits, but it also triggers hunger response so be wary of that, and overeating.

Every mile ran/walked is about 100~ calories burned. Every POUND of fat is 3500 calories. That means you need 35 miles per pound of fat, or 5/day (average week) INCREASED activity. Just be aware of this. So, use exercise to SUPPLEMENT the NUTRITION portion. It's to HELP diet, which is what is really going to drop the weight.

No fat camp exists. Some Commanders have setup short physical fitness programs to help fix soldiers.
Bottom line is that soldier needs individual nutrition counseling and a buddy to assist in the DFAC and PT 6 days a week until they meet the standards.

My BN created a program for Soldiers who needed help becoming healthier, passing the APFT, and being in compliance with height and weight. I heard there were many successful Soldiers meeting or exceeding the Army standard due to not only doing PT, but being taught how to eat right.

Also if you want to improve yourself, your soldiers and your unit you could look in to attending the Master Fitness Trainers Course.

If it doesent just create one. The toughest part is having any one "want " to get squared away, the rest is just mechanics in place with an action plan.

SGT (Join to see) I think the first step would be going with him to an AWC (Army Wellness Center) to get different tests that they run. The first would be Body Fat %, follow by metabolic rate, they even give you a class explaining all the info you'll get from this test and how to work with your metabolism. I took a Fitness Test (VO2 Max) that tells you were you are standing and what you have to work on. Here is the link to check where is the nearest location to you: http://phc.amedd.army.mil/topics/healthyliving/al/Pages/ArmyWellnessCenters.aspx I suggest you to visit them, even if you are not overweight, they give you lots of great information to get your fitness on track and I think this would be very beneficial for your Soldier.
Cc CSM Michael J. Uhlig LTC (Join to see) COL (Join to see) LTC John Shaw

SGT (Join to see) If I may make a helpful recommendation (if this has not been tried before). Every morning when your Soldier wakes up, before eating anything....have them take 1 tsp of Apple Cider Vinegar and add it to a warm glass (8oz type) of water and chug this down on an empty stomach 30 mikes before eating. This, on top of any remedial pt and diet control, the weight should roll off. Have the Soldier keep a daily weight log to keep track of the their weight. And, ensure that they cut out any energy drinks/soda (or pop) and drink lots and lots of water throughout the day. Weight should just roll right off.

Operation Fit Warrior was what I heard them called. It has dietitian and master fitness instructors and combatives level 1. It is two weeks with APFT in beginning and end. However, it is ran by battalion or brigade (at least in reserves) of course dependent on funding and ability to get those instructors and dietitian.

It starts with you as his first line leader. If he is enrolled in the ABCP you should be the person monitoring him. Work out with him in the afternoon and on the weekends. Putting out more calories than he takes in will work every time it is tried.