Forum:Diet, the U.S. Army and Why N.F.L. Football Must be the U.S. National Sport
From Campaigns Wikia
In early 2007 I attended Officer's Basic Course (as a Chaplain) for the U.S. Army (reserves). While at OBC, I learned (among other things) how to don a gas mask, how to low crawl, how to read a compass, and basically how to be an Officer in the U.S. Army.
Sadly, in spite of many positive experiences during OBC (top-notch training, collegiality, etc.), I was woefully disappointed with the U.S. Army's attention to physical fitness.
Yes we attended "P.T." (physical training) for 5 mornings a week (I awoke every day at 4:47 a.m.), and yes, meticulous attention was given to height/weight charts, running times (16:13 in the two mile was my best!), but sadly, much was over-looked in our current U.S. Military physical training.
First, inadequate attention was given to rest.
Second, due to sleep deprivation, most of us ate more than was advisable. I actually GAINED almost twenty pounds during OBC!
Third, compared to my own prior physical training (EITHER as a high school football and basketball player OR especially as a I-AA football player in college!), I felt woefully under-prepared physically as a U.S. soldier.
Now, due to hubris on the part of our military (i.e. resistance to change, scandal to include financial fraud), our military is taking a toll. "Mental illness" diagnoses are supposedly more prevalent (i.e. post-traumatic stress disorder), the Army is usually short on personnel (who wants to avoid improvised road-side bombs for a 'living'?) and sadly, also, due to mismanagement and FRAUD, billions of U.S. dollars in Iraq are unaccounted for.
Well, rather than calling for a complete cut in military funding (something that would jeopardize National Security due to the constant threat of terrorism posed by radical Islam . . .), instead, I think that BETTER-qualified personnel should be hired immediately by the Department of Defense. Intellectually, hire more from the Ivy League schools. Physically, hire more from the ELITE of our national population. My own vote (far-fetched I know . . .) is to have someone like Super Bowl N.F.L. Football Coach Tony Dungy hired as a contractor for the Department of Defense. Have Coach Dungy instruct the U.S. Military in how to best provide proper rest, nutrition and physical exercise so that our soldiers will look and PERFORM more like the Indianapolis Colts than the current rag-tag bunch of over-worked, tired, sometimes mentally ill 19 - 22 year old soldiers.
Just an idea . . .
Love in Jesus Christ, Rob J. King, Democrat for Christ, All-state football, I-AA 3 year college football starter
