First it was the Germans, now the Brits are accused of the same thing Fat troops 'unfit for Afghanistan' - Yahoo! News UK Britain's war effort in Afghanistan is being hindered by a number of frontline troops too fat to fight, according to a leaked Army memo. Skip related content The Ministry of Defence confirmed today it had directed military chiefs to ensure units are following Army fitness policy after concerns were raised over a "worrying trend of obesity". The Army needs to "reinvigorate a warrior ethos and a culture of being fit", according to the leaked memo apparently sent to all Army units and obtained by the Observer newspaper. The memo from Major Brian Dupree, of the Army physical training corps in Wiltshire, said basic fitness policy "is not being carried out". Units were routinely failing to fulfil the Army's basic fitness regime of two hours of physical exercise a week, he added. The memo leaked to the paper said: "The numbers of personnel unable to deploy and concerns about obesity throughout the Army are clearly linked to current attitudes towards physical training." There are 3,860 Army personnel classified as PUD - personnel unable to deploy - with a further 8,190 regarded as being of "limited deployability" for medical reasons, it was reported. Major Dupree added: "The current Army fitness policy states that to be fit to fight requires a minimum of two to three hours of physical activity per week. It is clear that even this most basic policy is not being implemented. "To cope with the demands of hybrid operations in Afghanistan and future conflicts the Army needs personnel with that battle-winning edge that sustains them through adversity. It is clear this message has been diluted recently and this attitude must change. "The increasing PUD list and concerns over obesity in the services are clearly linked to this indifferent attitude." Fire at will
I wouldn't doubt such claims solely because of how easy it has become to gain weight! More processed foods, fast food, etc are common, even military bases have them now, readily available income and standards of living are making it appealing. Regarding the study itself, it will be interesting to see how this conclusion was reached, how many people were surveyed? What were their weight types? How much do they eat, when did they join?, etc.
I agree with Groundhugger. When the armed forces are stretched why should all the Billy (And Billie) Bunters be retained well away from the action? All should pull their (Light)weight equally!!
well at least one thing ,you know they will come back fitter and leaner than they went. if we failed a bft,even after a night out,we felt ashamed as it was so easy. life must be getting tooooooo easy now for these guys,even push button warriors should pass a simple bft philip
I cant speak for My freinds in the UK but i can for Americans. we are getting kinda broad in the beam lol
I don't want to sound insulting to our American allies - but has anyone taken a look at some of the photos of American troops or Policemen lately? 'Supersizing' is a Western issue... I have to be honest and own up and say that I have been fat all of my life - in fact this got in the way of my trying to sign up in the late 1970s (the recruiting officer took one look at me and told me in no certain terms that I wouldn't 'cut the mustard'). The fact is that our healthiest diet was during the Second World War - due to rationing. Not because we were eating altogether healthier food - as some surmise - but that we were eating things in moderation. I hear on the BBC that the US Army is now considering he closure of fast food outlets in it's Afghanistan camps...A bit of a shame that guys who work so damn hard and risk their lives cannot enjoy some of the home comforts, but I know from personal experience that it's all to easy to fall into the habit of making these 'treats' your main dishes at the expense of healthier options.
Looking at the Armed forces Realistically ...Do you need to be fit ! If your day job is to work a computer you don't even need legs , a storeman , clerk , cook , steward etc , would never need to run X kilometres in X minutes ever !unless it was to the NAAFI or PX. you just need to be reasonably Intelligent . surely it would depend on your trade , it would be part of your job to be fit if you were an Infantryman , Marine , Engineer, , The Armchair brigade like the Loggi's and Armoured mob only need to be able to get in and out of theier vehicles and brew tea , But if your a Gunner you have to be Intelligent and Fit
Eureka !:ukflag[1]: Finally I just might have found the ultimate answer to make my ballistic vest fit my non-standard anatomy. (Standard defined as being male.) Just a few pounds of fat slightly below the critical anatomical features and my vest would be a tight and fully protective fit !! Ideas on how to gain weight on a dust- and MRE diet while on our outings most welcome In case you need a transplant I can spare a few kgs of healthily acquired stomach 'muscle tissue' :p
Have to admit I'm carrying a fair bit - I go through phases of 'got to do something about it' to 'sod it, wheres the cake?' :p You could say I'm the black sheep of the family, my dad is an ex-marathon runner and my brother is running 10 miles in sub hour time
Have to admit I'm carrying a fair bit - I go through phases of 'got to do something about it' to 'sod it, wheres the cake?' :p You could say I'm the black sheep of the family, my dad is an ex-marathon runner and my brother is running 10 miles in sub hour time The Wii fit says I'm overweight - the cheek of it!
My brother put it to me quite well the other day when we were talking... 'its all very well reading and writing about military history and paying tribute to people, but isnt it all a bit ironic if you can't run a mile, let alone do the 10 miles from Ginkel Heath to Arnhem?' Food for thought I guess... no pun intended :p
Looking at the Armed forces Realistically ...Do you need to be fit ! If your day job is to work a computer you don't even need legs , a storeman , clerk , cook , steward etc , would never need to run X kilometres in X minutes ever !unless it was to the NAAFI or PX. you just need to be reasonably Intelligent . surely it would depend on your trade , it would be part of your job to be fit if you were an Infantryman , Marine , Engineer, , The Armchair brigade like the Loggi's and Armoured mob only need to be able to get in and out of theier vehicles and brew tea , But if your a Gunner you have to be Intelligent and Fit Soldier first, tradesmen second. Trust me - When the wheel falls off the cart you all become Infantry.
