the weight problem

jazu

what is the story with overweight soldiers in the pdf?
Is it just accepted? im not in the army, but i have eyes. i was overweight 6 weeks ago and i ate less and went for 3 hour runs and now its gone, not the healtyist thing to do, but if a civi can recognoise if his body fat is too much and elliminate it then surly a soldier should be able to do the same.
And i got to say even though i was only mildly overweight for a few weeks, it was a massive handicap, having a gut, even a small one is a physical impediment, and i just cant understand how any soldier can do his job with a beer gut. I think its become acceptable in society in general to be overweight an normal, and normal is now skinny.
its a really ****ed up feeling to have your body fat being starved off you, its much better not to have it in the first place, i just wouldnt want to be anywhere near those guys if i was overseas and the food ran out.
I am not tring to insult anyone, i just think theres a dont talk about it attitude, like its a taboo or something. Condidering the pensions some of these guys are on, i think its only fair that they should be in shape.

Local-womanizer

To get overseas you have to complete a fitness test.

I know of plenty of people, soldiers included who have a bit of a gut but could out run most people half their age.

But I have my doubts that you are on here for a proper discussion regarding fitness in the military,I dunno,call it a gut feeling :rolleyes:

ChunkyLover_53

Is there a link to a news story or some sort of report for this?

If a soldier can't pass their Annual Fitness Test then they are sent on a Health Related Fitness Assessment, if they don't pass their fitness test after that 4 week assessment (which covers everything from PT to Diet) then their case is reviewed by a medical board. The unfavourable outcome for that is discharge.

Manic Moran

There is definitely a bit of Sukhomlinov effect still in the US Army, but fortunately ten years of war is having a bit of a moderating effect on this. If the man meets the Army mandated physical fitness standards and passes height/weight, I care less about how much they weigh than whether they can do their job. I'd rather an overweight, capable mechanic than one whose primary qualification is that he looks good in a uniform.

NTM

m.j.w

Tbf i agree with this and while there is the ITs every year some of the stuff that goes on with them is a joke! Every soldier in the army should be fit and this isnt the case even with the younger ones!

AlmightyCushion

Local-womanizer wrote: »

I know of plenty of people, soldiers included who have a bit of a gut but could out run most people half their age.

This is your answer. Just because someone is big, doesn't mean they are un-fit.

Local-womanizer

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

This is your answer. Just because someone is big, doesn't mean they are un-fit.

Just to expand on my point

Yes, bigger guys are known to be fit,even if they don't look it.

Fitness does not directly equate to weight. To a certain extent they tie in I agree.

But guys who have 5-6 stone on me can out run me easily. They train but the weight just stays on yet they can run 13 miles easily and in relatively good time.

And a lot of rugby players are over weight but play a physically demanding game for 80 minutes no problem.

Not this is not to say people in the DF are unfit, but I highly doubt this is unique to our forces and in fairness a lot is being done in recent times to raise fitness awareness and a healthy lifestyle, but more importantly placing emphasis on personal responsibilities for one to stay fit after recruit training.

BigDuffman

There is such a thing as being "fit for the role". A Kenyan marathon runner will not last as a Tight Head prop for a rugby match. Also the very same kenyan is not the chap you want lugging the GPMG about!!!

As you get older lads tend to pile weight on in the gut. This does not reflect their Cardio ability (to a threatening degree).

The nature of modern warfare means that soldiers are likely to experience intense short distance, stretching low intensity long duration. Whilst the latter may result in skeleton like physiques the former does not require it.

I'm not ignoring the point though there are a few fatties about the place. But these tend to be senior lads in admin (or breakfast) roles. Who's job requirments do not involve them being super fit. As opposed to someone going on their recce course!

But the majority are required to pass an IT that any untrained person would find strenuous.

dodgydes

Plus the uniform adds 10 pounds:rolleyes:

thermo

dodgydes wrote: »

Plus the uniform adds 10 pounds:rolleyes:

then stop eating uniforms :rolleyes:

seriously though, as said before just because they appear "large" does not mean they would not be able to run the OP in to the ground.

trellheim

Norman Schwartzkopf ( or was it Colin Powell ) in his biography remarked once that the Washington Redskins football team would fail all the BMI tests

Manic Moran

Schwartzkopf.

NTM

VivGrise

Most rugby players would fail a BMI test, as muscle weighs more than fat, but saying that, a lot of senior officials in the RDF look over weight.

It doesn't give off the right impression IMO. Look at the US Marines, none of them look over weight.

Tubsandtiles

I attended the fitness test for the army this year and was told I couldn't do the fitness test on the day because of my BMI :mad:. Pretty mad considering I was doing the run in 9.05, the BMI is just another barrier you have to get over .

It wasn't me!

I thought they did a body fat test if your build was the cause of the BMI error? I'm six foot and fifteen and a half stone or thereabouts, which gives a BMI of just under 30, but I'm a former rugby player, heavily muscled but lean. I was under the impression that that sort of thing would be taken into account.

Poccington

I'm a big fat bastard.

Husqvarna

Tubsandtiles wrote: »

I attended the fitness test for the army this year and was told I couldn't do the fitness test on the day because of my BMI :mad:. Pretty mad considering I was doing the run in 9.05, the BMI is just another barrier you have to get over .

:):):):):):):):)

Brilliant. Funniest post in ages.