Spooked by obesity trends, the U.S. military is redefining its basic fitness standards

Agreed..There is a thin line here and It really comes down to a self motivated point of view for the individual. It's will always be a pride issue. This military is a reflection of society (civilians in uniform). I was having a convo with a soldier yesterday about remedial PT. I told him I remember the times I was on Remedial PT and after 30 days I saw no improvement because it was mon-fri and I had no recover time...just push push push...and my body didn't have the time to recover. I went to sick call and got a no pt for a week (PT induced Asthma...go figure). I noticed that after a week of rest I did cut 2 minutes off of my time, added 20 Push up and 30 sit ups! That was from a week of recovery. The remedial program needs a revamp. It is like punishment. And it should not be. It should be to help the service member succeed...not break him down physically. They have been trying to get BMI for years. I do think promoting healthy lifestyles is the way...but it has to start pretty much prior to the military...this day and age kids come in so unhealthy and eating habits are horrible. The Army spends the next 10 years trying to fix societies conditionings. It really has to be a personal dedication. I myself started changing my mentality about PT 10 years in. I started to do PT for myself and not for the Army. When I did it for the Army I saw it as job...as punishment. Once I started doing it for myself it instantly because a lifestyle and I enjoyed it. It really comes down to personal pride and want. We all have been proud to wear the uniform but also hate to wear it too. You cannot motivate pride into people...they have to develop it in time. There is much to be said on this topic...