Kathy (and anyone else this applies to )

You think that this young man who was overweight was booted just because his commanding officer didn't like him? Think again.

The military has strict weight guidelines that must be adhered to for physical fitness. If this young petty officer didn't make the weight guidelines during PT and was given chances, he was booted for not meeting the goals set forth by the military, not by this one officer.

You can look up the guidelines under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and find out just exactly what these guidelines are. He knew when he signed on the dotted line what his options were.

My husband spent 20 years as an officer in the US Navy and one of his jobs was making sure all of the men and women working for him met the goals set forth by the military. He had to meet them as well. It's not arbitrary nor do they pick and choose who can and cannot adhere to these guidelines. Although there are medical exceptions under certain conditions.

As for losing all the benefits after 3 years, that was his choice. He chose to not meet the goals. It would be no different if he were in a non-military job and didn't meet the expectations of his manager. He would be fired and lose any pension or benefit package he had paid into. The only difference here is that the taxpayers are saving money because this young man cannot adhere to rules and regulations and is not fit for military life. It's good that he found out early that the strict lifestyle that he thought he could handle was not for him before he got too far into it.

Not everyone is cut out for military life. It's a tough life. No one ever said it was easy. It's not easy for the active duty member and it's not easy for the family. It's not supposed to be. It's rigid, disciplined and austere. That's what makes a good soldier good. It has nothing to do with war and everything to do with making quick smart decisions when they need to be made.

I am sorry you feel the way you do, those of you who don't like the military lifestyle. It's just the way it is. You have to go into it with your eyes wide open. Recruiters do the best they can with what they have. It's an all volunteer military. It has been since the draft ended back in the early 70s.

I rather enjoyed being a military spouse. It was an adventure and we met some very nice people, lived in some interesting places. It was not always a bed of roses, I will admit. There were times I never knew where my husband was, what he was doing or if and when he was coming home. Communication was non-existent (and I mean non-existent) for months, unlike today where you have email and cell phones etc. I sometimes found out where he was by watching CNN and sometimes they didn't even get it right. The military family today has it a whole lot better than we did 15 years ago but it still isn't cushy by any means.

I will step down off my soap box now, but I get tired of the complaining by those who have not been there, walked in the same shoes that we have walked in, and never will. It gets old. Be grateful for the freedom you have and thank those who have served and gave up their lives, their pensions, their families, so you can have what you have today. Thank a veteran...thank the military.

Volunteer at a VA hospital, an Elks Rehab Center, or for a VA Rehab center if you have time or are able. Otherwise, you have no room to complain.

Thank you to those who volunteer and serve today. It's not an easy job or lifestyle.

Cheryl

I completely understand that physical fitness is a must. It wasn't a problem for my son because he's always been into physical fitness. However, he told me this kid didn't fall into the category because he WAS physically fit - just not according to that particular officer's liking. He didn't have a hard body like the weight-lifters did. My son said the kid tried very hard to stick to his diet and maintain his physical appearance, but his officer kept ridiculing him. Over time the kid finally gave up trying to exercise it off.

I don't have a weight problem, but I know PLENTY of people who do. It's not always a matter of discipline in losing weight - especially when people continue to insult your appearance. Like it or not, there are emotional issues as well when it comes to weight loss. It is extremely hard to lose weight and keep it off. Maybe the recruiters should have warned the kid ahead of time he needed to maintain the look of a bodybuilder in order to remain in the military and receive his benefits.

Then again, if physical fitness is such a must, why is the mass consumption of alcohol and cigarettes encouraged on the base?

I would volunteer if I could, but I'm permanently and terminally disabled and homebound - not to mention glued to my telephone until my son comes back from deployment overseas. When my son was born, my intention for him was to LIVE and succeed at life - not to kill or be killed. I'm sorry you feel the way you do, but I think I have a right to complain.

Cheryl, I'm not only grateful to those who are willing to enlist in the armed forces, I'm astonished that anyone does in this day and age.

Do you have any feelings about returning to the draft?

And kathy of course you have a right to your feelings...you have a son at stake.

Kathy

There is a chain of command that is time honored. I assure you there is more to the story than you or I are aware of. If he was within the weight guidelines then he was not discharged because he was not a "body builder" or "six-pack abs" guy. I am sure that if you were to look around the military these days, you will find that not to be the case.

Kathy, mass consumption of alcohol is not encouraged on military bases. In fact, it is discouraged to the point of closing down clubs. Where on earth did you get that idea? You get a DUI on or off base and it is cause for court martial. I don't know what world you live in but it certainly isn't the military world we live in or are exposed to. I can give you statistics on that issue....

This is not about whether or not you or I can or cannot lose weight, but you are most certainly entitled to your opinion. As am I. I just happen to have a very vocal one about the military having been around the military most of my life, married to a Navy pilot for 33 years, and worked for the Navy for 10 years. Many of my friends these days are National Guard who have been activated.

My opinion about the draft? We are not in need of "draftees" as we are not in a war situation as we were in WWII or even in the beginning of Vietnam, so no bringing back the draft is not a good idea. At present we have enough volunteers to handle the current staffing, at least that is what my sources tell me. They are turning away qualified applicants. I know of several college grads who have tried to get into the military and have been turned away. I also know of many high school grads, 4.0 students who have applied to the military academies that have been turned down. The applicants are there, there are just too many of them for the current staffing requirements. Or so I am told by very qualified people.

(((((Alffee)))) thanks so much for bringing to our attention how affected, mentally, so many men and women are because of war. As a Canadian, even I am "astonished" that so many young men and women are turning to the military because they are lured by the hope of a better career/life than what they've been able to find so far. Sadly, they are trapped when they realize they made the wrong choice. Until you are really in that position of pulling the trigger, I don't think you can ever be prepared for the reality of killing another human.

It is appalling to me to think people are shamed for making the wrong choice.

Av8rgrl, I think the point was lost - its not the fact that this young man didn't keep up his physical prowness - its the fact that his mental prowness was beaten to a point that he couldn't keep up the physical.

We're a sensitive bunch here - we have lived and are living nightmares because of mental illness.

My heart aches for all who suffer because of war.

That's us....a bunch crazies!

Oh great, now you've done it. Moi is going to read this and twirl around in his new Tutu for us.

I didn't lose the point at all Addy. I have been there, am there. Like I said, there is more to the story than anyone here knows. I do appreciate your input.

My intention was not to be insensitive. Quite the opposite. I am very sensitive to the situation. Having first hand experience, in my opinion, would give me a bit more insight into the situation and make me a bit more compassionate than someone without the same experience. I've learned that when one has a similar experience as someone else, they tend to be a tad more sympathetic to the cause and more sensitive to those around them who are going through the same ordeal. If this is not your take on my response, then I have failed to make my point, at least in your eyes. For that, I can only apologize and strive to make my point clearer in the future.

I am only one person who supports the military and those who serve with all my heart.

I try to be one more person who supports the military and those who serve with all my heart.
I have two nephews who are currently serving.

IF, I wear my tutu and my four four, would you ALL know that I care about you ALL?