@MarkPaul My heart doctor told me that calf raises are great at pumping blood also. I'm sure you have seen people with huge ugly lower legs. It's not muscle, it is poor circulation. blood pools in the lower legs of sedentary people.
Probably the most effective NCO I had in the Army appeared to be obese. Reality was he had a thyroid condition, so his appearance was not related to his "fitness" and "fitness" had little to do to his responsibilities in a personnel position at the Division level.
I was rejected for upper division ROTC in college because of my eyesight. (Lower division was required of males even if blind and paraplegic in those days.) I apparently could not see well enough to tell others where to shoot. When drafted, my eyesight was good enough to aim the gun and fire. Both Expert and Sharpshooter medals.
@sree251 I disagree Sree. An empty life NEEDS fitness more than anyone. Do you know that a fit body and mind are the only two things in life that cannot be taken from you? I lost everything many years ago, and paid a legal price. My fitness and mental health was all I had, and it got me through with flying colors. Fitness of body helps the mind in extraordinary ways. I think we both agree that the military should be fit in both body and mind. I also see the point that some computer nerd that will never be able to serve on the front lines, doesn't need to be in as fit as the front line guys.
I think being fit helps with everything we do in life. That's why at 66 I'm still riding dirt bikes at a high level.
I disagree Sree. An empty life NEEDS fitness more than anyone. Do you know that a fit body and mind are the only two things in life that cannot be taken from you?
I was replying to @FreddieUK who said that my pointless comments were meant for filling up my empty life.
I lost everything many years ago, and paid a legal price. My fitness and mental health was all I had, and it got me through with flying colors. Fitness of body helps the mind in extraordinary ways.
Fitness of body is testimony to a healthy mind.
I think we both agree that the military should be fit in both body and mind. I also see the point that some computer nerd that will never be able to serve on the front lines, doesn't need to be in as fit as the front line guys.
The nerd more often than not can outsmart the rambo type. Warfighting has come a long way from the days of guts and gore on the battlefield. If war ever breaks out, the US President, as Commander-in-chief, poses a higher risk to the nation than fat soldiers on the front line. The role of the the President is to prevent war. If he fails to do that, then the Pentagon must take over to prosecute the conflict. It is a job for professionals.
I think being fit helps with everything we do in life. That's why at 66 I'm still riding dirt bikes at a high level.
Health and fitness are worth more than wealth, fame, and power. Is riding dirt bike at a high level worth the risk?
@sree251 . Is riding dirt bike at a high level worth the risk?
Yes, it is worth it to me. I love riding, I ride within my comfort zone. The plan is, never crash. It has been tough finding guys my age that can keep up off road. There are a lot of motorcycle riders, but most will not do the offroad stuff. I have two friends now that are around 60 and they can keep up. It's fun mapping out trails and being prepared for anything. I have done a lot of hiking, backpacking and 4 wheeling through the years, so it is kind of in the same realm
I started riding dirt bikes in 1972 I have owned about 15 different offroad bikes compared to 3 street bikes.
A few years ago I had a big V-twin road bike, and found myself taking it on dirt trails, that's when I decided to go back to off road and Dual sport motorcycles
I believe everyone in the military should be fit. I could not have done my job if I wasn't ultra fit when I was in the military. And I have kept it up for the past 40 years since getting out.
Roger on that. And fit means fighting fit mano o mano. This means women are out. You cannot shoot women and children even at war or put them in harms way to fight a man's war in the front lines. No fat men and women in combat duties.
What's odd about Hegseth's fixation on obesity is that most generals are absurdly fit. They have almost nothing to do, so like people in prison, they work out a lot.
