A suggestion to the military to slim down its potential ranks: go vegetarian

Los Angeles Times / latimes.com ^ | October 19, 2010 | Jeannine Stein / Los Angeles Times

[thecodont]

Obesity affects many aspects of our society, and the military is no exception. But the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has a solution to slimming down potential recruits: promote vegetarianism.

The committee recently wrote a letter to Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, offering free copies of its "Vegetarian Starter Kit." The group supports "compassionate and effective medical practice, research and health promotion," according to its website, and is against animal research and testing.

A news release included part of the letter from the group's nutrition education director Susan Levin: "It is not too late for the overweight young people showing up at your recruiting stations," she wrote. "Instead of turning away a quarter of your potential recruits because they are too heavy, why not arm them with information on how to improve their health? Then schedule them for a return visit at a later date."

The kit offers a three-step program to adopt a plant-based diet as well as tips on getting down to a healthy weight and staying there. According to the release, the cover shows an overweight man holding a cheeseburger looking at a reflection of his slimmer self in a military uniform holding an apple.

[thecodont]

The article seems to be implying that meat causes obesity. That isn't the case with me and many others like me: we grow LEAN on meat, fish, and poultry, plus whole grains and good fresh fruit and vegetables. Starches and sweets are what make us fat.

I think the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (never heard of them before) has an agenda.

[Westbrook]

Let’s see.

First, they have to let open prancing faeries in the military.

Now they have to go vegan.

Why not just replace our military with the girl scouts?

[Joe 6-pack]

"Starches and sweets are what make us fat."

Thanks for the reminder. I need to go get my bedtime cookies!

[GeronL]

Pink Cammo and satin sheets!

[Question Liberal Authority]

Make up your minds. Do you want guys who suck down sausages in the military or not?

[FlingWingFlyer]

Lighten up Jeannine. Geeesh! What a moron. The military has done fine for hundreds of years without a moron like you telling them what to do.

[Nip]

Once again the military becomes the source of raw material for another social experiment.

I think that 15% of the total members of Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine need to immediately enlist in the military and follow the SOF track. Five per cent can go the AF SOF route - think CCT/PJ track could make use of their medical skills (would save time and money); another five percent can go the Army SF track - jump school, Ranger, Q course and then a tour with the teas, and the final five per cent can go NavSpecWar - the SEALS can make use of their prior medical training too.

Let's see how far these Vegans can make it. Maybe the next time they get an idea after watching multiple replays of G.I. Jane or similar Hollyweard fantasy fest they will keep their ideas to themselves.

Give me a meat eater on my flanks any time!

[Deagle]

So stupid and politically correct that no one should bother to reply...geez! I really would like my military to be fit and that takes a balanced diet - NOT vegie...

[Zuben Elgenubi]

I want to see training for Interior Decorating. Just in the Navy.

[sionnsar]

I think the Physicians Committee for "Responsible" Medicine (never heard of them before) has an agenda.

Ya think?

[J Edgar]

Name one successful warrior who was a vegetarian!

[Dallas59]

[Spudx7]

It’s very hard to get B-vitamins from non-animal sources, which is why vegetarians often suffer from depression and other mental problems. Not what soldiers need.

[DanielRedfoot]

I Know, lets have them wear Pink gloves and shoes like the PC girly clowns in the NFL.

[meyer]

Protein is an issue too. Although you can get enough protein for a typical lifestyle from vegetables, it is very difficult to get enough quality protein to feed a very active body. You need a lot more than what’s recommended by the “experts” when you’re trying to build muscle.

[Pox]

Yet more anti-Americans bent upon imposing their will upon our country. The only problem is, there are way too many high ranking officers in the military that have been fully indoctrinated in the marxists cesspools of “higher education”, and they are all too eager to actually listen to, and occasionally follow, such idiotic “advice”.

The marxists are using any and every angle possible to debilitate our military.

[freekitty]

These people are just crazy.

[freekitty]

I have one veg friend who is dead and one who is constantly ill; both loved and love being vegs. I don’t think it has helped.

[goat granny]

Just finished 2 large chocolate chip cookies....yummy....

[Vor Lady]

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is a bunch of nut cases that in the 70’s tried to get people to quit giving children milk. They are probably tied somewhere up the line to PETA.