Beginners and Beyond

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Sort of running related: US Army is getting rid of soldiers who are "too fat" to defend America (Read 495 times)

    Link is here.

     

    I know this shouldn’t be surprising to me, but it is. Shouldn’t people who have dedicated their lives to defending our country be the most fit?

    Buelligan


      Not every member of the armed forces is a trained warrior.  They represent a cross-section of the the society they're drawn from.  The problem isn't with the military.

      FlippyNoodle


      Not a dude

        Do we really need another discussion about fat people?

        Nakedbabytoes


        levitation specialist

          Link is here.

           

          I know this shouldn’t be surprising to me, but it is. Shouldn’t people who have dedicated their lives to defending our country be the most fit?

           Sorta like cops and firemen should be fit too? but that isn't always the case.

            Do we really need another discussion about fat people?

             

            Well, I’m not really talking about fat people in general. I’m trying to figure out why there isn’t more of a focus on fitness in the one profession where you would argue it is REALLY important to be fit.


            Village people

              My dad was in the military. He worked in finance, but his day included scheduled pt time. He came home and ran down the highway and back, every day. 


              Chairman

                Well, I’m not really talking about fat people in general. I’m trying to figure out why there isn’t more of a focus on fitness in the one profession where you would argue it is REALLY important to be fit.

                 

                 There are plenty of desk jobs in the military that require no more physical fitness than desk jobs outside the military. 

                Coalition for a Free and Independent New Jersey

                   There are plenty of desk jobs in the military that require no more physical fitness than desk jobs outside the military. 

                   

                  If you have a desk job, do you still have to pass the fitness test?


                  Chairman

                    If you have a desk job, do you still have to pass the fitness test?

                     Ideally they would, but I doubt the Army is eager to dump a lawyer or a tuba player because they are fat if they have to spend money to recruit or train another one. 

                    Coalition for a Free and Independent New Jersey

                       Ideally they would, but I doubt the Army is eager to dump a lawyer or a tuba player because they are fat if they have to spend money to recruit or train another one. 

                       

                      Well, then those people aren't the ones who are getting kicked out.

                      wcrunner2


                      Are we there, yet?

                        Well, I’m not really talking about fat people in general. I’m trying to figure out why there isn’t more of a focus on fitness in the one profession where you would argue it is REALLY important to be fit.

                         

                        With many army personnel devoted to support activities, i.e. office jobs, and fighting becomming more and more a push button affair, only a select group really needs to be physically fit. That doesn't mean they should be allowed to be slothful, but fitness levels don't need to be as high for some military jobs as for others. Also the article was focusing more on the overweight and obese than on fitness per se.

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                        andrew jerald


                          Its hard staying fit on some duties.I spent 4 years on a submarine and almost 2 years underwater. When you are in port you are working crazy hours sometimes over 100hrs a week. Not to mention the stress factors. I gained 40lbs my first year on the boat. I am pretty fit right now but if I miss another physical test in the next year they could kick me out.

                            I believe that most of the guys that are on the front lines are in great shape, but if you are on a computer all day or are helping to cook or do vehicle maintenance, do you need to be in great shape?

                             

                            My bro in law is in his late 30's and can still run his 3 miles in under 19 min and 20+ pull ups. He is an artillary man by trade, but gets to go back to the pentagon in a few months. Last time he was there he got bored behnind a desk so he volunteered to go to the middle east and got shot twice.

                            ”Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.”

                            “Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right.”

                             

                            Tomas

                            tessasnewlife


                              I know a lot of military people. Some with hero-like fitness that I worship and use as inspiration. One who was kicked out because he couldn't run the mile (or two miles whatever it is) in time, even after the army spent a good amount of money trying to get him to pass. Some who are ok fitness but aren't front line action people. I think within reason they should have a fitness to them- they are paid for it (kinda). I have seen both sides though- the one who got fatter in the military and was kicked out and the one who lost a good amount of weight and started training to get into the military.

                              Butter Tart


                                The article talked about overweight and obesity, which I assume just means BMI. But some overweight people, like myself, are much fitter than many people with a "normal" BMI.

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