The waistlines of America's youth are expanding, shrinking the pool of those eligible to join the US military. But an Army program is giving overweight enlistees a second chance – and helping the military with its own expansion. The recently-introduced waiver program allows enlistees who don't qualify for the military because of their weight a chance to shape up after joining. So far, the program has helped the Army make its recruiting goals in what remains a tight recruiting market. If the economic recession worsens, it could help the military's recruiting efforts as people seek stable employment. That could reduce the need for waiver programs. However, nutritionists don't see the trend of overweight Americans disappearing any time soon, ensuring the continuance of such programs in recruiting an all-volunteer force.
A soldier once said, "There are no fat soldiers in Iraq". Many may go but after a couple of months in the desert, the weight literally melts away. Maybe this is the weight loss program that the article is referring to. Many have the perception that overweight people are sloppy in their work and their habits and as such are overweight. But if they are willing to give 110%, lose the weight, and rise up to Army standards, why not give them a chance?
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This is a double standard the Army is willing to let people that are over weight in but they still refuse to let gay men and women in the Army. I know gay women that are stronger and more physically fit than some of the men that are serving. I don't think a person's sexual pref. should really matter. It is no longer frowned apon for people to have feelings for someone of the same sex. If the Army really wants to help with her recruitment then they need to change this middle ages rule.
If you allow people to get away with something from the start, you cannot expect them to keep in shape after they have been set free from initial training. You can educate all you want, but will power plays a huge factor in what kind of shape a person will stay in. Also, a physically fit soldier will have more endurance and mental clarity when it's time for action.
John,
it is people like you that think that way is what is wrong with the world today. This is susposed to be a free country for people to act and speak as they wish. I believe that if a person is medically fit and able to score high enough on the asvab no matter who they choose to spend there lives with should be allowed in the Military. John people like you that are absent minded about how the world is changing don't belong in the military. Being open and gay is accepted in this century open your eyes its all around you.
Actually a majority of the American people have spoken and said that it is not OK and it is not acceptable. You have your opinion and I have mine. I think people like you are the problem with the world today.
"This is susposed to be a free country for people to act and speak as they wish."
If that was the case then a person could go have sex with a goat if the wish or they could just use whatever racial slurs they like if they wish.
The problem with people like you is you have no back bone to to tell someone that their life style is perverted or morally reprehensible. You would rather be sensitive and support their feelings. On the other hand you have no problem bashing someone that doesn't agree with your way of thinking. The military is not a nightclub or a gay day parade. It is a profession where men and women are expected to perform above the average level. There is no room in the military for those that would possibly compromise persec or opsec. Or those that may disrupt unit cohesion.
But back to the topic at hand, the military may want to institute a pre-bootcamp training course that an overweight person can take on their own time and money to meet the weight restrictions for the military.
You're right John, I completely agree with you! Gays have no right in the military! If you start letting blacks, jews and those dame hispanics along with those gays in the military, then cohesion of any unit would be lost. The military needs cohesion, and for this reason, only straight white men are allowed to join! Uh wait? Blacks are in the military? how'd that happen? Didn't anybody mention the cohesion factor when THAT idea was being voted on? Jews are allowed? Those hispanics too? But what about the cohesion John? Surely the military is just limping along at this point unable to solidify it's troops, unable to defend a nation because of these dark people joining your ranks. Damn those politically correct people who ruined our military so long ago. You're the MAN John, never forget that!!!!!!
