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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?

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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.

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.

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.

sree251 · 41-45, M

@dancingtongue

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

I was pointing out issues like a diagnostic scanner pointing to problems in a car. Whether you want to fix those problems or not is up to you. At least I am not charging you $150, the amount normally charged at motor workshops.

sree251 · 41-45, M

@FreddieUK

It fills up an empty life perhaps.

An empty life has no need for a fit body.

DogMan · 61-69, M

@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.

sree251 · 41-45, M

@DogMan

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?

DogMan · 61-69, M

@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

sree251 · 41-45, M

@DogMan

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

How big was that V-twin? My Yamaha 650 Dragstar weighed 500 pounds. No way I could take it on dirt trails. Don't you like riding on country roads?

DogMan · 61-69, M

@sree251 It was an 800cc Vulcan V-twin. Easily over 500lbs. I took it on a lot of gravel roads no problem.

I also took it on fairly easy trails. But I knew if I got in trouble it would be very hard to pick up and turn around.

I like to watch those pro riders on their 600lb BMW GS doing dirt bike stuff and making it look easy.

Have you heard of Pol Tares? He is not mortal.