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I'm an ex-obese Soldier, I come from weighting over 300lbs, I have to work twice as hard as a "normal" Soldier just to keep the weight off. While I've never busted the tape, I know I have to do more and my workout schedule is pretty musch as the ABCP. We are quick to judge when we see an overweight Soldier without knowing what he or she is going through.
We allow a Soldier to look for help whenever he or she accepts that have a problem with substance abuse, ASAP, to the extent that if he looked for help prior to an UA and he failed, after enrolled in the program, he won't be necessarily be chaptered out. Which I think is good, at least he is accepting that has a problem and is looking for help, is always good to accept our mistakes and show that we are willing to deal and work with them.
In the other hand, many times I've been working out in the gym and young JE come to me to ask me what muscle I'm working on or the proper form of X or Y exercise. Talking with them, very often the 18-20 years old, have told me that they don't know how to work out because they never did before joining. In my short career I've seen young Privates bust the tape, even when they don't look overweight. Should we give those that either don't know how to workout, I'm a strong believer that PRT is not enough, or that admit that have problems with their weight control to enroll in the ABCP if this enrollment is prior to the bi-annual H/W? Should the ABCP be open to everybody that has a weight problem further than just busting the tape? And more important, should we open the doors to those that even within the standards recognize that have a weight control issues?
We allow a Soldier to look for help whenever he or she accepts that have a problem with substance abuse, ASAP, to the extent that if he looked for help prior to an UA and he failed, after enrolled in the program, he won't be necessarily be chaptered out. Which I think is good, at least he is accepting that has a problem and is looking for help, is always good to accept our mistakes and show that we are willing to deal and work with them.
In the other hand, many times I've been working out in the gym and young JE come to me to ask me what muscle I'm working on or the proper form of X or Y exercise. Talking with them, very often the 18-20 years old, have told me that they don't know how to work out because they never did before joining. In my short career I've seen young Privates bust the tape, even when they don't look overweight. Should we give those that either don't know how to workout, I'm a strong believer that PRT is not enough, or that admit that have problems with their weight control to enroll in the ABCP if this enrollment is prior to the bi-annual H/W? Should the ABCP be open to everybody that has a weight problem further than just busting the tape? And more important, should we open the doors to those that even within the standards recognize that have a weight control issues?
Fitness
AR 600-9
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 7
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PRT addresses more than just the set's of drills that you're referring to. It also includes gym time in the scheduling and instruction. Your unit should have Master Fitness Trainers that can take these Soldiers aside or at the very least train their junior NCOs on the proper use of assets available to them. Enrollment in the ABCP doesn't teach these things. You can take advantage of everything the ABCP offers without enrolling. All it takes is a memorandum signed by the commander to go see the Post Registered Dietician.
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SGM (Join to see)
That's the thing about willfully joining an organization with standards. You are agreeing to those standards. That organization should not be under any additional stress to ensure you meet those standards. You either do, or you don't. And if you don't, that organization can find somebody else who will.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
SGM (Join to see) but the organization does stress when a Soldier admits to have a substance problem, it does when a Soldier admits to have suicidal thoughts, it does when he admits to have problems with alcohol and even financial problems. I rather having a Soldier that comes for help for X or Y situation than another one that gives me troubles because he is not able to recognize what he needs help with. And I totally agree with you in the fact that we agreed to being within standards but, some people just need a stronger push and we are here to push them forward.
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SGM (Join to see)
Fitness is one of those things that I feel very strongly about, so perhaps I shouldn't comment further on this. But I know that fitness is one of the easiest things for an individual to control, and if they can't control that simple thing on their own, how can I trust them with literally anything else.
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SSG (Join to see)
SGM (Join to see) - It's one of the easiest things for many to control, however it is not easy for all to control. After the Army has invested tens or hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars into training a soldier, protecting that investment by supporting additional efforts some soldiers need to stay physically fit is just common sense.
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No. If you need help, you need to ask for help before someone tells you need help. I did, in 2000.... when I weighed in right at my max weight. I had our 1SG tape me and I was over fat; pencil neck... I was never going to be overweight... So, I did what I need to do, and I still do... By the way I was a 300 plus PT person... always...
Perhaps I am a zealot, but fat in uniform is not acceptable and reflects badly on our military. I love that we have a voluntary military, buy that comes with standards of dress, appearance, weight, and appearance. There is more to these standards than just looking good. But, that is another discussion; health and fitness.
We need height and weight standards, and the right PRT standards. If you can't meet standards, you have responsibility to meet them, or you need to find a new line of work.
While, I have never walked in your shoes... until later in my career SGT(P) (Join to see) in that I was never overweight or over-fat, I always maxed the APFT, and when I got close to weight (as a Major) I worked hard (diet and exercise) to always meet the standard.
I still wear a uniform in retirement, and still have to watch what I eat and check my weight daily. I will not be fat and wear the uniform, as even as a retiree... it is still the uniform of the US Army.
Personal responsibility needs to take a roll here too.
Perhaps I am a zealot, but fat in uniform is not acceptable and reflects badly on our military. I love that we have a voluntary military, buy that comes with standards of dress, appearance, weight, and appearance. There is more to these standards than just looking good. But, that is another discussion; health and fitness.
We need height and weight standards, and the right PRT standards. If you can't meet standards, you have responsibility to meet them, or you need to find a new line of work.
While, I have never walked in your shoes... until later in my career SGT(P) (Join to see) in that I was never overweight or over-fat, I always maxed the APFT, and when I got close to weight (as a Major) I worked hard (diet and exercise) to always meet the standard.
I still wear a uniform in retirement, and still have to watch what I eat and check my weight daily. I will not be fat and wear the uniform, as even as a retiree... it is still the uniform of the US Army.
Personal responsibility needs to take a roll here too.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
COL Charles Williams My suggestion is that, if we allow Soldiers to admit their problems with substances abuse, why don't we allow those that have perhaps eating disorders or weight problems do the same. At least he is admitting that needs help and we should provide it.
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I 100% agree that self enrollment should be an option for soldiers that truely want or need it. With the not knowing how to work out portion I dont think the abc program is what they need. Depending on the location, often there are free workout groups or programs that take place outside duty hours. Also if you look in fm 7-22 there are instructions on how to do different exercises with gym equipment. There are too many resources available for a soldier who is compliant and has no problem maintaining the standard to enroll in this program. But back to soldiers who need this some suggestions i think would improve the effectiveness of the abc program is when/if self enrolled no flag be placed however maintain some of the loss of favorable actions, but not all find a happy medium to prevent sham artists from obusing the system to get out of work and encourage those who need it to utilize it to get where they need to be and maintain it. Also start enphasising the dieticians more. Or possibly offer unit classes from a dietician. More often then not soldiers dont know the healthy way o loose weight and once they are out the abc program they often gain it back due to the unhealthy loss. Include a mft as head of the units remedial pt. Often time the remedial pt instructer is someone who doesn't understand the needs of the soldiers they are dealing with. They just know how there body works. Possibly include physical therapists into the reconditioning pt program. Lots of soldiers/ncos/officers do not understand proper body mechanics and dont recognize that pointing there toes 15% the wrong way can cause more issues than they know. I could continue on but i dont want to make my post too long. In summery i agree with the self enrolment. I have never been enrolled in the program however ive known some damn good soldiers that are just naturaly bigger that there career ended.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
SSG(P) (Join to see) I think this is the most objective response in the whole discussion. Sometimes people get all their progress and their 300 APFTs to their heads and forget about those that are not like them. Even worse, start judging them because their different lifestyles without lending a helping hand. And let's not forget about that judge just because someone brings the question. Thanks SGT for getting to the point, this is the kind of response I was expecting.
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