SwiftVets.com

[Nutso]

I just received a call from my son who is in his 8th year in the reserves and 10th month in Iraq. He is a little (lot) upset and I am now very upset also. My son is a big guy, always has been, played some division II football in college as a lineman, but is strong as a horse and a fairly good athlete. He was good enough to join the Army and has a good record, including last year filling a position 2 paygrades above his to arrange movement of his entire unit and all their equipmeant to Iraq. He has fought a weight problem and because of his size has never and will never be able to comply with the Army height - weight standards. He has been in compliance with their alternate standard using neck, waist and chest measurements. (54" Chest and 34" inch waist) He recently ran in the Army 10 mile relay and runs daily along with weight lifting on a regular basis. He once before was assigned to a special weight loss platoon until his commander at the time intervened and suggested that he box the officer who had assigned him to it. The officer said there was no way he would get in a ring with my son. He was immediately released back to his unit.
Now he is in Iraq, serving his country and doing his job, however his commander just informed him that because he does not meet the old height-weight standards he will not receive the awards he has earned or medals for service. He is also no longer eligible for advancement.
Personally I think this is a little unfair, he weighs over 30 lbs less than when he was sent to Iraq, he has done his job and served. If he was that unfit why did they send him and why did they wait til his enlistment is almost over?? The real twist to this is since he is getting close to being done, they have been trying to get him to re-enlist.
I am just overwhelmed by the stupidity of it all. He is fit enough to go and serve, but not receive the awards he earned. He is fit enough to re-enlist, but not be advanced.
I guess the military hasn't changed much over the years.
I am a little discouraged by it all.

[Sgt-Keeper]

All branches have their goophy rules & regs. I appreciate your frustration. But, turn that into a productive quest. Notify your congressman, using the same info you posted here. Let him see if he can get your son what he deserves. Just a word or two of caution:
Make sure you have all of the facts straight;
Know your congressman well enough so he won't go charging in & make matters worse.
This advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
Good luck.
_________________
Fix the problem, not the blame.
USMC E5 Nam vet 65-66

[srmorton]

I agree with Sgt-Keeper. Make sure of the facts and then contact your
Congressman and Senators. It would be one thing if he had not been
risking his life every day in Iraq, but this is unacceptable under the
circumstances. It is very hypocritical for them to at the same time be
asking him to re-enlist.
_________________
Susan R. Morton

[Schadow]

[Cazador]

Hi,

Start at the top -- Rummy -- via registered mail.

Before you do, get ALL of you facts in order. Let others including an attorney review it for flaws. DR is a very demanding when asking about the facts. Leave the emotion other than what you feel as a parent and that you son wants to serve. Do not raise holy heck.

Start there and also let DR know you will be hitting your Senators and congressmen if some sort of dialog towards resolution is not forthcoming. Give them some sort of deadline that is reasonable -- like 14 days. Give him the cast of characters. names, dates and such that his staff will be able to quickly confirm his good service and awards.

There are always your local TV stations as well if the politicos are not up to the task.

Tell your son that all of us are pulling for him and his fellow soldiers.

Best,

Cazador

[noc]

Any chance that a local paper might write a story on this? I would talk to them. If you get something published, post it here. Then we can use it to pressure the political leaders and the media. A little coverage could make this go away pretty fast. He earned his medals. This is beurocratic BS.

If you get the chance post your letter to the newspaper even if they don't print it.

[Anker-Klanker]

I'd strongly recommend "cooling it" everyone, and take this a step at a time. Nutso, if he is ever thinking of making a career in the Army (when all this is fixed), then you don't want to raise hell, and ruin it for him.

Without knowing the particulars, I'd guess that there's one guy ("his commander"?) who is being the obstacle - obviously trained as a beauracrat, so he can't think outside the rules. If your son were to appeal this "his commander's" commander, would that help? How senior are we at here? If "they" are trying to re-enlist him, then "they" may be in the very best position to intercede for your son's behalf with someone senior enough in the chain-of-command.

Please use the 21-gun broadside as the last resort.

[LewWaters]

I see the Army still takes idiot bureaucrats as officers

I was amazed how banal some could be over towing the line and following rules.

This is the reason we have Congressmen. Writing Rumsfeld is a good idea, but he may never even see it. He has a staff to read mail. Along with letters to him, write to everyone you can think of that represents you locally. You'll hear back from a Congressman far sooner than you would DR.

I remember when the Army instituted it's "fat man" project in the early 70's. I was in Germany, weighed 155 lbs and stand 5'8" and was told I was overweight.
_________________
Clark County Conservative

[PhantomSgt]

Have your son request a Medical Doctor for a test to determine his body mass and fat percentage. There is a formula that calculates percentage of body mass to fat. One form of testing is the tape test and the best method is the submersion test. Once calculated and the member is within standards they receive a permanent waiver. Several military body builders I’ve known need to use this method or they would be deemed overweight. Only a Medical Doctor can approve the permanent waiver after he performs the body mass adjustment test.
_________________
Retired AF E-8

Independent that leans right of center.

[sleeplessinseattle]

[Guest]

[msindependent]

I'm sorry too, that's just crazy. It may take some time, but I have faith that you guys can get it all worked out. I will be happy to write letters if needed. Hang in there.

[lonevoice]

I can sympathize!!!

I got put on the Army's "Fat Boy" program when I was in, although I had an 18" neck, 48" chest, and a 32" waist.(We had a XO that was a stickler for the 'Book', never mind the average [for the unit] 275 pound benchpresses in our units. For reps, I might add!! ) All I had to do is appeal the decision, and get a BFM done, as another poster mentioned.

Unless there is another reason for the denial of awards, etc., this should get him to where he needs to be. (Please understand that I mean to cast no aspersions on your son's service.)

Every so often you run into someone who REALLY needs to be a civilian, and they just don't get it.(the desk driver piddling around with your son, because he can.)

You think someone genetically predisposed to produce MUSCLE might do it, while the ARMY tries its best to get people ready to go? Sheeesh!!!!!


Like someone else said, I would hesitate before bringing in outside help(Senator, etc.) if he intends to become a lifer. One wouldn't want to colour his rep with too much of that.

JMHO

Lone

2/75th Rgr. Bgd.
_________________
It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish.
-Mother Teresa

If it's not a baby, you're not pregnant.
-me

[srmorton]

PhantomSgt is so right. I am ashamed of myself for not thinking of
it before. I have been teaching anatomy for over 20 years and have
also taught nutrition, so I know the difference between being overfat
and overweight. According to many of the current weight tables,
body builders and football players who are actually in excellent shape
would be classified as "overweight" but are certainly not "overfat".
Muscle truly does weigh more than fat, so this woman's son could
actually be in much better shape than the weight tables indicate.
_________________
Susan R. Morton

[Nutso]

Thank you all for your help. I have contacted my Senator with a polite request to look into this. I am waiting his reply and will let ya know what I find.