I have been serving for over 12 years and I was just reading an article about what the standards should be for physical fitness. I was so disgusted with what they believe the standard should be. It seems to me they lower the standard every year. I will admit I am in shape and I take care of myself. But I am sick and tired of seeing other military personal over weight. It also stated that this standard is right across the board regardless of what trade they are in. How can this be? I see way to many people in the military that are over weight. why doesn't the higher ups fix this problem. It does make the military look bad. And to think that If I am over seas and I for some reason get shout, would this person being over weight be able to assist me by pulling me back to safety?
Does anyone else agree with me on this?

RickJ

Sadly so many things are dumbed down nowadays.

I do believe, though, that the standards are higher for combat related MOS's, aren't they?

Scottish2008

They do have higher standards for different MOC but still the standard is not meet by most people in the military.

excon

Hello Scotty:

I, of course, was in excellent shape. But in the Navy, once you got out of boot camp and aboard ship, the calisthenics were over. In Nam, I fought my war by pushing buttons. You don't have to be in great shape to do that.

I dunno if things have changed, but I’ll bet not.

excon

shygrneyzs

I know the Army really was after my oldest son, for recruitment. He went and took the physical. Now he has a bullet lodged in the back of his left leg - from a hunting accident. While that accident happened five years ago he still has nerve ending problems with his leg and foot. They still were going to take him! Now he can run five miles without too much difficulty but certainly not longer distances. Maybe nothing would have happened to him if he would have went in. BUT... the recruiter was far too willing to lower the standard in order to get my son recruited. What put a stop to it was my son saying they he did not feel qualified enough.

Scottish2008

I really feel bad for your son. It takes a strong man or woman to admit when they are not ready or prepared. Don't get me wrong. When you first enlist you are not to what we call the standard. They will train them to get there. I am mostly aiming this at personal in the military that have a few years in and let it go. I also understand that in other MOC they are restricted to do as much as they can, because where they work and how much they work. But for others in the same MOC as myself always have an excuse when it comes to there PT testing each year. Totally out of the question.

biggsie

The Gung HO on physical is Gung Gone -- The Marines --Seals -- Special Forces may

still have some -- maybe their life depends on it ... Physical fitness is probably a joke

--the joke would be on them if you had to save them or the other way around...

Scottish2008

You are totaly right. I have pulled a few out of harms way in my day but I would regret it if I couldn't due to there weight.

templelane

I had an uncle who was allowed to join the army 30 years ago even though he had one leg shorter than the other. No surprise he didn't complete basic training due to knee and hip strain caused by running wonky. Don’t know where the quality control/medical exam was doing then!

Seriously though I think it has become easier on the most part comparing what my parents had to do and what I would have (I considered enlisting). However at least in the RAF (UK) they have changed that women have to do full push ups now instead of the 3/4 ones.

Excon as a good point though- not all service personnel do physical jobs. Also these days (in the UK anyway) it is getting harder to recruit so for non front line jobs perhaps lowering fitness standard in return for more skilled personnel for certain jobs would be a reasonable sacrifice. But perhaps that is only something a civvie would say?

wewed100606

I agree with all of you on the lowering of the standards. It is bunk. I have no military experience whatsoever, but I think I would honestly be more worried about the IQ level of some of these recruits. I appreciate every man and woman fighting for our country. The way our country works though, with voluntary service, you aren't gonna get the cream of the crop. And when things like these "conflicts and wars" in the middle east are going on, most people, not all, but most are gonna take a different option if they have it. So now, we have the kids coming out of HS who can't get into a Community College or Tech School because of grades and test scores joining the military for the $20,000 + enlistment bonus. They take the bonus, go out buy a new truck, and then we give these, for lack of a better term knuckleheads, automatic rifles and let them make life or death decisions for other people. If you ask me, which you aren't but I will give you my two cents anyway, we should have a mandatory military enlistment for all medically able bodied people for 4 years like alot of other coutries. It might keep our wars to a minimum also if our damn leaders know that their children and grandchildren might have no choice but to go over there too. Just my view. Once again, thanks to everyone who is currently or has previously served our country...I am very greatful!