Do fat soldiers give the US military a bad look?

Fat is beautiful, isn't it? What else has become beautiful in America? From story hour in our public libraries to lectures in college, educators have been shaping the American mind since the death of Amelia Earhart. You don't have to live up to anything but yourself now. So, what else is beautiful to you?

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

dancingtongue · 80-89, M

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.

FreddieUK · 70-79, M

@dancingtongue It's interesting how the rules change when they're desperate, isn't it.

dancingtongue · 80-89, M

@FreddieUK Not just desperate, but elitist. Standards were higher for becoming an officer than being a grunt. What Hegeseth seems to be focused on returning to.

DogMan · 61-69, M

@dancingtongue Yes, I have known fit fat guys. Look at boxers like Butterbean, and some of the MMA guys like Roy Nelson.

My dad tried to enlist in the Army Aircorp right after pearl harbor was bombed, like you, his eyesight kept him from going in.

While he was deciding his next move, he was drafted into the 88th infantry. Spent the war on the front lines in Italy

sree251 · 41-45, M

@dancingtongue

Probably the most effective NCO I had in the Army appeared to be obese.

Obesity is a sign of disorder and evidence of indulgence and indiscipline.

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.

Thyroid condition? Then he should be chucked out as unfit for duty.

{quote] 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. [/quote]

Excuses is the mother of all screw-ups. At your age, you have no excuses for having the attitude of punk kids these days who think nothing of slouching in every sense of that word. Shame on you, grandpa.

dancingtongue · 80-89, M

@sree251 And if you have nothing to contribute but denigration, why waste time with your comments?

FreddieUK · 70-79, M

@dancingtongue It fills up an empty life perhaps.