How do you think obesity in youth is impacting our recruiting?

SSG Izzy Abbass — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 15:12:27 -0400

This article identifies the fastest growing obese metro areas in the US. I'v heard that the military has been having greater trouble finding recruits because of the US being out of shape. What do you all think?

America's Fattest Cities

The Most Obese Metro Areas in America Obesity rates nationwide are rapidly increasing. According to Gallup, the national rate in 2013 was 27.1% -- the highest it's been since the organization started tracking the numbers. But some communities' obesity rates exceed even that. These metro a

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Jul 13 at 2015 3:17 PM

SFC Everett Oliver — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 15:17:51 -0400

My Great Niece is in basic training. She worked for 6 months to make the weight so she could join....

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2015 3:18 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 15:18:17 -0400

SSG Izzy Abbass I barely made in, I know how it feels. It was hard to get in, it took a lot of work but it paid off.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jul 13 at 2015 3:21 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 15:21:45 -0400

Try the food in those areas yourself. I was astounded to be served S O S topped with a sunny side up egg. Great flavors and great residual waistlines! Young adults lack of interest in regular life while being mesmerized with television and electronic entertainment are major contributors to the lack of activity which creates the terrible lack of physical conditioning! As long as young people can hangout without much exertion on their part, recruiters will have a problem. SSG Izzy Abbass, are you/can you imagine a recruiter trying to find a new recruit in today's world?

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jul 13 at 2015 3:34 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 15:34:35 -0400

I'd rather pay the rent than the food bill! If they can't pass the initial health assessment screening, let them be!

Response by SSgt Scott Schwerman made Jul 13 at 2015 3:50 PM

SSgt Scott Schwerman — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 15:50:42 -0400

Trouble finding recruits? If the recruiter finds someone that is interested in joining/serving and have the drive (or even if you have to give them the drive), weight should not be a factor. Yes, it will take time for them to ship because they have to shed, but that shouldn't be the point. I personally was 27 when I enlisted and had to shed 30 lbs to ship. I did that within a few months healthily. So it should not be hard to find someone that is in shape, just finding the person who has that drive to succeed.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jul 13 at 2015 11:52 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 23:52:28 -0400

It is absolutely imperative that the DoD maintain SOME semblance of physical fitness requirements, even as these things are getting loosened in some ways across the force. If we let people join who are in horrible physical shape, then WTF kind of combat force are we even expecting to be anymore? If we are playing nice with potential recruits so that they enlist, and in turn are risking force readiness, then that's a huge no-no.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Jul 14 at 2015 12:01 AM

LCpl Mark Lefler — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 00:01:31 -0400

considering we're downsizing, probably not much.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jul 14 at 2015 9:18 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 09:18:08 -0400

This is nothing new.

As a side note, I was amazed how much weight some very motivated young American would lose so they could join the military. The fact that they could, proves others can as well.

Response by SSG Izzy Abbass made Jul 15 at 2015 12:05 PM

SSG Izzy Abbass — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 12:05:45 -0400

Food for thought - actually that might be the wrong reference http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/2015/07/15/report-nearly-1-in-3-young-adults-too-fat-for-military/30178023/