Army Considering Opening Pre-Basic Training Fat Farms

[RamboLiberal]

The Army has been dismissing so many overweight applicants that its top recruiter, trying to keep troop numbers up in wartime, is considering starting a fat farm to transform chubby trainees into svelte soldiers.

Maj. Gen. Thomas Bostick, head of the Army Recruiting Command, said he wants to see a formal diet and fitness regimen running alongside a new school at Fort Jackson that helps aspiring troops earn their GEDs.

Bostick told The Associated Press that obesity looms as "a bigger challenge for us in the years ahead" than any other problem that keeps young people from entering the military, including lack of a GED or high school diploma, misconduct or criminal behavior and other health issues such as eye or ear problems.

According to Defense Department figures provided to the AP, over the past four years 47,447 potential recruits flunked induction physicals at the nation's 35 Military Entrance Processing Stations because they were overweight.

That is a fraction of the 205,902 such exams given in 2005 and 250,764 in 2008, but still amounts to a hefty number and comes at a time when the military is more interested than ever in recruits. The Army and Marine Corps together paid more than $600 million over the past year in bonuses and other financial incentives to attract volunteers.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/12/national/main4714532.shtml?tag=topHome;topStories

[aquart]

1. A whole new reason to enlist. Fitness. Weight loss.

Then they'll put the whole Army program on DVDs and make an infomercial. "Try the proven Army Weight Loss Program in the comfort of your own home!"

[ogneopasno]

2. Some join for health care for themselves and their families.

Of course, Iraq isn't exactly great for one's health.

[RamboLiberal]

3. Or World's Biggest Loser - The U.S. Army version n/t

[jody]

4. Is there an inverse correlation between scores on AFQT and Physical Fitness? n/t

[qb]

5. As a vet I like the idea... but not for recruiting reasons.

Fat kids go through hell in basic training only to be recycled anyway. The weight loss camp is a much better approach for overweight kids who want to join.

[Quantess]

6. It's a shame that we don't have universal health care to provide "fat camp" for anyone who needs it.

One of Bogan's recruits, 18-year-old Idalia Halley, was shocked when she found she was a few pounds too heavy to enter boot camp.

Of course she was surprised, because I bet she's the same size as most of the other kids at school...who are also obese.

[Name removed]

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[Quantess]

9. nevermind.

[Gwendolyn]

8. Countries with universal health care don't provide fat camps for people either.

I think the government was yapping about giving tax credits for diet food and gym memberships awhile back though.

[ieoeja]

10. I knew people who went to Quantico for that reason.

Actually, the most common reason I heard from people for being there was to lose weight and "maybe" go on to a career in the Marine Corps.