Key Takeaways

  • 68% of U.S. Reserve Troops (part-time military members) are overweight or obese, up from 65% in 2018.
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth calls this trend “unacceptable” and vows stricter fitness rules.
  • Obesity is a growing problem for military readiness: Overweight recruits often can’t meet standards, forcing the military to relax rules to fill spots.

What’s Happening?

A new report by the American Security Project (a research group) reveals:

  • Most reserve troops struggle with weight, partly due to inconsistent access to military health resources.
  • Reserves face unique hurdles: They live far from bases, juggle civilian jobs, and rely on mixed healthcare systems.

Hegseth’s Response:

  • Ordered a military-wide review of fitness standards.
  • Posted on X (formerly Twitter): “We will be FIT, not FAT. Standards matter.”

Why This Matters

  • Military readiness: Soldiers need to be physically fit for combat, emergencies, and demanding missions.
  • Recruitment crisis: Obesity disqualifies many applicants, so the military sometimes lowers standards to meet recruitment goals.

How the Military is Addressing It

  • Preparatory Programs:
    • Army Future Soldier Prep Course (started 2022): Helps recruits meet fitness/education requirements.
    • Navy Prep Course (2024): Similar training for new sailors.
  • Challenges for Reserves:
    • Harder to monitor fitness due to part-time status.
    • Limited access to military gyms, nutritionists, or healthcare compared to full-time troops.

Hegseth’s Stance on Standards

  • “It’s not about gender—it’s about keeping standards high for everyone,” he said during his confirmation.
  • Critics have questioned his past comments on women in combat, but he insists the focus is on universal fitness benchmarks.

What’s Next?

  • The Pentagon will enforce stricter weight and fitness rules.
  • Reserves may get better health support, but details are unclear.

Food for Thought:
Should jobs critical to national security (like the military) have strict fitness requirements, even if it limits recruitment? How can part-time soldiers stay fit without full-time resources?

Inspired by reporting from The Epoch Times.