There is a TED talk about obesity being a national security problem for the US

Discussion in 'Warfare / Military' started by cirdellin, Jul 15, 2020.

  1. cirdellin

    cirdellin Banned

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    Apparently, significantly large numbers of people are denied entry into the US armed forces due to weight issues.

    Sometimes recruiting goals are difficult to achieve.

    But at home the worry about “fat shaming” encourages the problem.

    At what point does protecting self esteem become more valuable than national security?
     
    Last edited: Jul 15, 2020
  2. kazenatsu

    kazenatsu Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Especially with the pandemic and people staying indoors, and many activities and outside destinations being cancelled, obesity rates are on the rise.

    They say, for instance, that alcohol sales are up 55%. Likely it's the same for other comfort foods as well.
     
  3. cirdellin

    cirdellin Banned

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    Yep the stay at home orders and the exemptions for getting groceries are making all of us fatter.
     
  4. kazenatsu

    kazenatsu Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    The pandemic will end up killing and disabling a lot of people, just not in the way that we think.
     
  5. cirdellin

    cirdellin Banned

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    The bbc is reporting that the WHO is warning that Covid is preventing children from being inoculated for their normal shots which could cause more infections and deaths than c-19.

    How much more warning do people need??

    Stop fixating on this virus if you want to save your children’s lives!!!
     
  6. ArmySoldier

    ArmySoldier Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    What the hell is this nonsense? It's much easier to be fat and get in than it was 10 years ago. Now they have "fat camps" before basic training for the tubbies that need help achieving the bare essential PT results.

    Weight standard is CRUCIAL to be able to carry a 60 lbs ruck for a 12 miler while intermittently pulling security and running with the gear.
     
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  7. kazenatsu

    kazenatsu Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Oh, don't forget how they lowered the physical entrance requirements to try to make it easier for women to get in.

    The Obama Administration can be thanked for that.
     
    Last edited: Jul 15, 2020
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  8. cirdellin

    cirdellin Banned

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    Check these out:






     
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2020
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  9. ArmySoldier

    ArmySoldier Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Doesn't negate a word i said
     
  10. ArmySoldier

    ArmySoldier Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Yes. It's quite pathetic. It was a publicity stunt. We had some women in our unit that were reassigned because they couldn't perform task requirements because their expectations were low (from a leadership standpoint). We had one female officer who flat out said she didn't want to be in an infantry unit lol
     
  11. cirdellin

    cirdellin Banned

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    Tell me what is wrong with these presentations.
     
  12. ArmySoldier

    ArmySoldier Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Re-read my original response. Are you currently in the military? I am. Once again, re-read what I wrote in my original response.
     
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  13. cirdellin

    cirdellin Banned

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    These people in the videos I linked are also military people.

    Are they providing incorrect information?

    If so then what is the motivation?

    Do you feel they have an agenda?
     
  14. ArmySoldier

    ArmySoldier Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    I take it you are responding to me even though you didn't quote me.

    The only thing that matters in the military, whichever branch, is that each individual is a member of a team and can accomplish any mission.

    Weight plays a major factor. If one cannot carry a battle buddy for miles, or even ruck with their basic gear for 12 miles, they are only hurting the person next to them.
     
  15. cirdellin

    cirdellin Banned

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    Yes.
    You claim to be military and the two men in the links I provided are clearly military.
    As all three of you are in the military, what makes you correct and them incorrect?
     
  16. ArmySoldier

    ArmySoldier Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    I've answered this multiple times. I find it odd that you just asked that question.
     
  17. ArmySoldier

    ArmySoldier Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Ok, put yourself in my shoes.

    Let's say hypothetically I have 100 soldiers in my company. I am the company commander. I have 10 soldiers that barely can pass a PT test. These 10 soldiers are either squad leaders, team leaders, or junior enlisted.

    We deploy to Afghanistan for a 9 month mission.

    We are on a convoy that is ambushed and 3 of the 10 overweight soldiers are involved in a firefight that 1st platoon is in. We have a landing zone 6 miles away. The heavy set soldiers cannot keep marching status with the rest given their ACH, IBA, and other equipment totaling 80 pounds of weight added. They now become the problem and risk more lives.
     
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2020
  18. cirdellin

    cirdellin Banned

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    It’s a reasonable question.
    They are military as are you and they are apparently high ranking.
    You have stated they are wrong but you are correct.
    What did they say that was wrong?
    I’m not emotionally wedded to my position so I’m open to opposing arguments.
     
  19. ArmySoldier

    ArmySoldier Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Read post 17
     
  20. cirdellin

    cirdellin Banned

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    We disagree less than you think.
    My concern, like yours is the mission. Bad guys need to be taken out and the maximized safety of troops is the other dimension.
    The guys I linked seem to think that obesity stands in the way of that objective.
    I honestly don’t know but you as a soldier and I as a civilian can agree on the success of the mission.
     
  21. ArmySoldier

    ArmySoldier Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Obesity is a MAJOR problem in combat. You may not know this, but for every mission there's a risk assessment that needs to be done. One factor (big factor) is mission readiness. If you have a soldier that is overweight, that's a risk. You need to be certain your troops are combat-ready.

    If you have a guy that is too fat to complete a basic 12 mile ruck with 60-80lbs gear without falling out of line, you have a massive problem.

    I personally have had soldiers put on profile (google what that means if you don't understand) for weight and PT standards. Many overcome their weight issues. I lead extra PT sessions for some of my soldiers that are gaining their "freshman 15". I need my men in the best possible condition because in the Army you ALWAYS place the Mission First. If they are putting on weight, best be sure they are going to lose it. I am not risking more lives to help someone that is too big to take care of themselves in combat. It's a failed risk assessment.
     
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2020
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  22. cirdellin

    cirdellin Banned

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    As I said we disagree far less than you think. You are putting your life on the line in every mission and I salute you for that because I’m not in that position. I can’t even imagine what that is like. I wish you the best of your training to keep you safe. And I mean that sincerely!
     
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  23. ArmySoldier

    ArmySoldier Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Thank you. My time in the military is coming to an end. I've been enlisted, and commissioned. I'm looking forward to civilian contract work.
     
  24. cirdellin

    cirdellin Banned

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    I really wish you the best. The US military has never been given the credit it deserves!
     
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  25. ArmySoldier

    ArmySoldier Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Our military has one major problem. Civilian lawyers. Let me explain. Joe Shmow from a wealthy family of lawyers enlists in the Army. He goes to basic training. He's treated poorly. He uses his monthly pay-phone call to talk to his dad, a lawyer. His dad gets upset that his son's feelings are hurt, and decides to speak to a congressional rep. They then speak to the station commander (or whoever) and that basic training unit gets a new company commander that is more suitable for the weak.

    Then we have a wussified military.

    Oh wait, it is wussified! 2008-2016 did severe damage to the morale of the dedicated soldier and killer of the enemy. Now it's all about "feelings".
     
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