Some U.S. military personnel aren't worrying about preparing for physical fitness tests.
Multiple reports show service members transitioning to their preferred gender identity may never have to compete in aerobic fitness, flexibility and muscular strength tests.
Military leadership hasn't explained why it waived its minimum physical requirements on soldiers undergoing gender-affirming care instead of providing universal fitness standards for all service members. (RELATED: Army To Test New Rifles In Extreme Conditions, But The Guns Have Critics)
The Military Times reports that poor fitness among recruits already costs the Army millions each year:
It's not exactly clear why America's military personnel are getting fatter. Could be that 15 years of war have weakened the focus on fitness. Could be that millennials, with their penchant for sedentary activities like playing video games and killing time on social media, aren't always up to the rigors of military life. Could be all the burgers, fries, cakes and pies served in chow halls around the world.
And maybe, too, the military is simply reflecting the nation's broader population, whose poor eating habits are fueling an alarming rise obesity rates.
This much is clear, though: Today's military is fatter than ever.
…
About 7.8 percent of the military — roughly one in every 13 troops — is clinically overweight, defined by a body mass-index greater than 25. This rate has crept upward since 2001, when it was just 1.6 percent, or one in 60, according to Defense Department data obtained by Military Times. And it's highest among women, blacks, Hispanics and older service members.
(H/T Hot Air)
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I remember basic training at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri in 1966 and the over weight men were treated like sick animals and cruelly punished. Not a good memory for me, just another nightmare to add to the ones from the battle field of Vietnam.
God help us. If we go to war against China, we WILL LOSE.
Sounds exactly what s happened to the general population.
As China announces today that they are ramping up, naming countries including the US that are their threats.
Heck with physical fitness requirements right now, the military should be more worried about mental fitness requirements.
Of everyone, ranging from raw recruits all the way up to the top brass.