I was surfing the web to find a copy of the CF Army Fitness Manual when I came across something a little disturbing and since I didn't see it discussed yet I thought I'd post it for feedback and opinions:
http://www.cbc.ca/ns/story/ns-military-fitness20060106.html
Text:
Forces exercising less, failing fitness tests
Last updated Jan 6 2006 09:02 AM AST
CBC News
Many members of Canada's Armed Forces are failing fitness standards that aren't as tough as they were 20 years ago.
In 1984, a male soldier was required to do 30 pushups. Now it's only 19. Women in the service had to do 38 knee pushups in 1984 and are now required to do nine regular pushups.
Even with the new standards, the military says roughly 10 to 15 per cent fail.
"There's no question that the standards have been slipping over the years for a variety of reasons," said Dan Middlemiss, a defence analyst.
A recent military survey suggests members of the Forces are exercising less and gaining weight.
About 3,000 members filled out an anonymous health and lifestyle survey in 2004, sharing information on their height and weight, and diet and exercise habits.
Twenty-one per cent are obese, an increase of three per cent since 2000. But the obesity rate in the military is still slightly below the national average.
"There is concern that the prevalence of obesity is going in the wrong direction, that the trend in physical activity is going in the wrong direction. And we've got to reverse that," said Dr. Jeff Whitehead, head of epidemiology at the Canadian Forces Health Services Group in Ottawa.
Nearly half of the respondents are unhappy with their weight. But while activity levels are dropping, dieting seems to be a popular solution. Forty per cent reported changing their diet on their own in the past year with the goal of losing weight.
Whitehead said the survey results, which were compiled in December and have yet to be released, may have contributed to a new emphasis on military fitness.
Just before Christmas, Canada's Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Rick Hillier, issued an order freezing promotions and pay raises for personnel who cannot meet the Armed Forces' fitness standards.
All 60,000 members can expect to have their physical fitness level tested by this spring.
and this one:
Forces must be fit to fight, Hillier says
Last updated Jan 5 2006 08:16 AM AST
CBC News
Canada's top soldier, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Rick Hillier, says members of the Armed Forces must pass a fitness test or face serious repercussions.
Right now, soldiers must take an annual 20-minute physical test; male soldiers under 35 are required to sprint and then do 19 pushups and 19 sit-ups.
Roughly 10 to 15 per cent of those who take the test don't pass or are medically excused.
Until now, failing the test had no impact on a member's career.
But CBC News has obtained an internal directive from Hillier that says a soldier's career will now come to a halt until the fitness test is passed — no promotion, no pay raise and even the possibility of dismissal from the Forces.
Hillier said Canada's military is now conducting operations worldwide and every member must be fit and up to the challenge.
"I am convinced that adherence to a physical fitness program will not only increase strength, energy and endurance, but also improve and individual's ability to cope with mental and emotional stresses," Hillier wrote.
"This is leadership business, and I expect the support of leaders at all levels to ensure the CF [Canadian Forces] is fit to fight."
Hillier's directive was sent out just before Christmas to senior officers, who will inform the troops and enforce the new policy.
Those who fail the test can expect a warning, compulsory fitness classes, or even an appointment with an employment counsellor.
"The idea is to bring everybody up to a required level of fitness. We don't want to unnecessarily fire people because they're not fit," said Karol Wenek, director of military employment policy with the Department of National Defence.
The military plans to have the physical fitness of all 60,000 members tested by this spring.
Feedback on this should be interesting...
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