A military crisis is brewing

[Rgbigun]

Working on a military base I can for sure attest to the fact that we are in trouble and the number of soldiers that I see daily that can’t possibly function at the highest level due to obesity is an issue. I see soldiers that would never have been able to stay in the Army when I was in. Oh yeah, this is NOT “fat shaming” or anything else. To be in combat your very life may depend on you being able to move quickly and it is a truth that being obese hinders that and even worse if it is termed with a lack of fitness. The Army standard allow for someone to be “heavy” yet sill fit but what I’m seeing today is that due to shortages in quality candidates they are keeping soldiers who are obese simply because the pool of incoming recruits who can meet standards are rapidly shrinking.

[SporkyDonkey]

Thinking of enlisting if I can get in shape before 35.

[Stabla]

I never really thought of how our health crisis are effecting the military. It’s a shame. Dumb food guidelines.

[gitanacv]

I, too, have noticed this. Recently I was on Okinawa, Kadena Air Base. Was struck by the number of overweight soldiers, especially the women. There is no way they would have allowed this when my father was in the US Navy.

[Stabla]

Speaking as an older woman, we have a slight disadvantage as our hormones seem to be quite a bit more complicated especially when you factor in pregnancy, child birth and then all the in between and after hormonal disruptions. What is interesting is that I have amazing self control and for the last 15 years no matter what I did I could only gain weight. If only we could save the next generation from our government controlled food guidelines. So sad.

[brownfat]

On the bright side there is little need for fitness to fly drones…

[dlc96_darren]

According to author, Anastacia Marx de Salcedo, in her book Combat-Ready Kitchen: How the U.S. Military Shapes the Way You Eat, the military has played a major role in the development of processed foods we regularly (or used to ) buy in the supermarket.

Synopsis:

Americans eat more processed foods than anyone else in the world. We also spend more on military research. These two seemingly unrelated facts are inextricably linked. If you ever wondered how ready-to-eat foods infiltrated your kitchen, you’ll love this entertaining romp through the secret military history of practically everything you buy at the supermarket.

https://www.amazon.com/Combat-Ready-Kitchen-U-S-Military-Shapes/dp/1591845971/

Maybe the military, in trying to fix their obesity problem, will help effect food production, and dietary guidelines for the future, but I’m not holding my breath.

[PrimalBrian]

According to author, Anastacia Marx de Salcedo, in her book Combat-Ready Kitchen: How the U.S. Military Shapes the Way You Eat , the military has played a major role in the development of processed foods we regularly (or used to ) buy in the supermarket.

Interesting and timely post. I snapped these pictures yesterday on the USS Massachusetts. Frozen in time from 1960’s and 1970’s.

[dlc96_darren]

I snapped these pictures yesterday on the USS Massachusetts . Frozen in time from 1960’s and 1970’s.

Great reply, Brian. That’s fascinating!

I’ll bet you could still eat those Vienna Sausages.

[Rgbigun]

You should see what they give out at the VA SMH! Cookies, cakes, candy etc all of the time. And plenty of “whole grain bread” smh.