One of the difficulties soldiers (and other service members) have is maintaining weight and body composition within standards. Due to several injuries that led to 9 back to back surgeries that put me out of the gym for about three years, and eating to compensate for depression, I gained a significant amount of weight (185 to 230 pounds). I was at the body fat limit allowed for my age, so I retired because I felt like I couldn't meet that standard so I popped smoke. I continued to add weight and got up to 273 pounds and 33% body fat composition before I got a handle on the depression and then maintained that weight three or four months. I share this because I know there are others who are struggling. I'm down 8 pounds so far and my body fat composition is down 3%. I put together a website, not to sell anything, but to share what I am doing more specifically to help other service members. http://www.vivusfitness.com Check it out, there's nothing to pay for. I'm currently earning personal training certification and strength training coaching certifications. The key is start low and go slow. Make small changes so that they become sustainable. Focus on progress not perfection. It's about improvement. No matter how strong a person gets, or how well they get into shape, the emphasis is on improving over time.