Fitness
Fitness
Posted on Jun 23, 2015
Considering Evolution, should the body fat standards be relaxed across the U.S. Military?
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Standards
Health
Fitness
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 61
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1. Build performance standards based on combat. 2. Enforce these standards. 3. Who cares what bodyfat % people have?
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
CW5 (Join to see) Yes, and we have programs that attempt to stem their usage. But Alcohol & Tobacco are distractions from the weight/BF% argument. I agree they are ALSO issues, but they are not the issue at hand. Just because they are also bad, and potentially even worse doesn't make a high BF% acceptable.
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CW5 (Join to see)
I hear you although I don't agree. We can be overweight, still PT and defeat the enemy. Health is always mentioned when BF is brought up so I counter with this: Our top three causes of death in America all mention quitting smoking as prevention and don't mention weight. (according to the CDC)
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Suspended Profile
Couldn't have said it better myself
MSG Jacqueline Case
There are so many factors that contribute to the average service member's BF %; stress is the one that stands out. Stress is the biggest contributor to excess weight and who is more stressed that a service member? If the individual is able to do their job, pass the physical fitness test, AND have a good appearance in uniform what does it matter how much the BF % is?
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The standards of fat are irrelevant as long as the person can do the job. My body type categorized me as obese in the Marines, yet I was running marathons.
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Suspended Profile
The standards are based on actuarial tables from the 1940s and 50s, and are way off base. The most fit sailors/soldiers often have difficult times with the old tape measure because of muscle mass.
The standards do need to be adjusted for mission needs, and perhaps not worry quite so much about "Pride and Professionalism". I'm not sure that program really benefited the fleet anyway...
The standards do need to be adjusted for mission needs, and perhaps not worry quite so much about "Pride and Professionalism". I'm not sure that program really benefited the fleet anyway...
SGM Steve Wettstein
LCDR Rabbi Jaron Matlow Sorry Rabbi but I have to disagree with you on this one. I have always been between 30-40 over my make allowed weight. I am a weight lifter and never had a problem taping. I rarely saw or heard of a person, was a weight lifter, not be able to tape under. I have seen body builders get close to failing when they are cutting.
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Suspended Profile
SGM, I'm glad it's worked out for you. I saw plenty of folks for whom it didn't work. And, if like me, you have a skinny neck, it's even worse...
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