Michelle Obama: Army Fitness Could Help Kids
FORT JACKSON, S.C. - First lady Michelle Obama said Thursday that the military's push to turn recruits into health-conscious warriors could be a model for making people across the U.S. more focused on fitness and nutrition.
Obama, who has made battling childhood obesity one of her signature causes as first lady, visited the Army's largest training post at Fort Jackson outside Columbia to see what the Army has done, from more rigorous training drills to fat-free milk in its mess halls.
She told Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, who has worked to overhaul both the soldiers' diets and exercise programs, that she was fascinated by the project.
A lack of fitness is "not just a health issue but a national security issue," she said, and the military's health initiatives could be a model for youngsters elsewhere.
"A lot of young people around the country could use the same kind of support," she said.
Hertling gave the first lady a military-style briefing, accompanied by colorful slides beamed on three large screens hung on the walls, that detailed how the nation's obesity problems create problems for the Army.
Kids are spending too much time in front of TV and computer screens, not getting enough exercise and drinking too many sugary soft drinks, Hertling said. He said that makes their bones too fragile for military lifestyles.
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New soldiers are given exercises for core body strength and stamina. Obama got to see the green salads, fruit and nuts offered in one of the chow lines at the post and chatted with drill sergeants about the challenges of getting recruits into shape.
The first lady sat with a half-dozen senior trainers, asking them how they dealt with a generation more adept at video games than sports or playground games.
"How are the soldiers reacting to this new training? I'm a mother, and it's all about getting the kids to go outside," she told Staff. Sgt. Brian Evans, of East St. Louis, Ill.
"It takes a while before they figure it out, that this food, this exercise, actually works," responded Evans, a 14-year Army veteran who said he'd been deployed seven times to Iraq and four to Afghanistan with Special Operations units. "Hopefully they will take that and adapt it to their lifestyle, so it branches off back to their families."
Obama echoed that message in her address later in the day to the 1,100 soldiers graduating after 10 weeks of basic training and recognized their effort to choose healthier foods.
"I know these past 10 weeks haven't been easy," she told the soldiers. "But the truth is, you never gave up, you never gave in, you pushed yourself to your limits and beyond."
To wild cheers, Obama praised the families attending for letting their young men and women serve their country despite the risks.
"We want you to know how proud we are of all that you have achieved. We are grateful to you all," she said.
Fort Jackson's commander, Maj. Gen. James Milano, said the first lady's visit was a big boost for military families, particularly those who have endured years of deployments and separations.
"It's a huge benefit for us, to have her come here and visit. This is a great day, a chance for her to come and talk directly to Army soldiers and their families," Milano said.
Also Thursday, Obama appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" to urge Americans to support the struggles of U.S. military families. The first lady said she and Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, plan to launch a campaign in March to support military families.
Three days ago, President Obama announced programs meant to support military families, including initiatives to prevent suicide and homelessness.
"There are things as a nation we can do big and small," the first lady said during her television appearance. "And it's not a difficult thing to do."
Fort Jackson trains more than 60,000 soldiers annually, including more than half the Army's female soldiers.
AP Obama, who has made battling childhood obesity one of her signature causes as first lady, visited the Army's largest training post at Fort Jackson outside Columbia to see what the Army has done, from more rigorous training drills to fat-free milk in its mess halls.
She told Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, who has worked to overhaul both the soldiers' diets and exercise programs, that she was fascinated by the project.
A lack of fitness is "not just a health issue but a national security issue," she said, and the military's health initiatives could be a model for youngsters elsewhere.
"A lot of young people around the country could use the same kind of support," she said.
Hertling gave the first lady a military-style briefing, accompanied by colorful slides beamed on three large screens hung on the walls, that detailed how the nation's obesity problems create problems for the Army.
Kids are spending too much time in front of TV and computer screens, not getting enough exercise and drinking too many sugary soft drinks, Hertling said. He said that makes their bones too fragile for military lifestyles.
Palin: Americans Have "God-Given Right" to be Fat?
New soldiers are given exercises for core body strength and stamina. Obama got to see the green salads, fruit and nuts offered in one of the chow lines at the post and chatted with drill sergeants about the challenges of getting recruits into shape.
The first lady sat with a half-dozen senior trainers, asking them how they dealt with a generation more adept at video games than sports or playground games.
"How are the soldiers reacting to this new training? I'm a mother, and it's all about getting the kids to go outside," she told Staff. Sgt. Brian Evans, of East St. Louis, Ill.
"It takes a while before they figure it out, that this food, this exercise, actually works," responded Evans, a 14-year Army veteran who said he'd been deployed seven times to Iraq and four to Afghanistan with Special Operations units. "Hopefully they will take that and adapt it to their lifestyle, so it branches off back to their families."
Obama echoed that message in her address later in the day to the 1,100 soldiers graduating after 10 weeks of basic training and recognized their effort to choose healthier foods.
"I know these past 10 weeks haven't been easy," she told the soldiers. "But the truth is, you never gave up, you never gave in, you pushed yourself to your limits and beyond."
To wild cheers, Obama praised the families attending for letting their young men and women serve their country despite the risks.
"We want you to know how proud we are of all that you have achieved. We are grateful to you all," she said.
Fort Jackson's commander, Maj. Gen. James Milano, said the first lady's visit was a big boost for military families, particularly those who have endured years of deployments and separations.
"It's a huge benefit for us, to have her come here and visit. This is a great day, a chance for her to come and talk directly to Army soldiers and their families," Milano said.
Also Thursday, Obama appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" to urge Americans to support the struggles of U.S. military families. The first lady said she and Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, plan to launch a campaign in March to support military families.
Three days ago, President Obama announced programs meant to support military families, including initiatives to prevent suicide and homelessness.
"There are things as a nation we can do big and small," the first lady said during her television appearance. "And it's not a difficult thing to do."
Fort Jackson trains more than 60,000 soldiers annually, including more than half the Army's female soldiers.
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24 Comments Add a Comment See all 24 Comments
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- Every first lady had a program they did. What's the difference? How many of your read, planting flowers, didn't do drugs, etc., because the first lady said so. We all know why you people don't like her.
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- Schools need to have physical education again as well as recess. Parents need to do their jobs more effectively and make their kids be physically active instead of playing with tech things that neither exercise the body or the mind.
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- The first thing this country must do is put Physical Education back in the public schools. Most schools have dropped that requirement. That was short sighted and we are paying for it. We need to rethink the new PE and make it compelling and interesting enough to have the children want to stay fit. Even the use of physically interactive computer games would help people maintain a level of physical fitness. Maybe then they would decide on their own to go to the next level. Next would be educating people to modify the food they eat. Not just what we eat but how much of it. This does not need a huge bureaucracy or government funding; just common sense teaching of healthy alternatives.
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- I hope she will practice what she preaches. According to the latest pictures I have seen of her children, they look like they could use the benefits of Military exercise.
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- I was looking at the right picture. I do not understand why you are bringing Ms. Palin's children in on this comment. Mrs. Obama is one the claiming obesity among children. All I am saying, clean your own house before you critize someone else's.
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- I beg to differ. You had to be looking at the wrong picture. Her oldest child is tall and slender. The youngest is not fat either.
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- As long as she practices what she's preaching!
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- The teabaggers I met at the great gun rally in Portsmouth, NH turned out to be fat, old and incompetent in the use of their recently purchased weapons. Six of these cowards yelled and hurled spittle at a grandmother protesting that her grandchild had no insurance. When I stepped in and offered to let two of these punks take on someone their own size, they backed off like they'd been shocked by a 110 volt line. The most obese of the two (who was ludicrously wearing a 'coon skin cap, like an enormous greasy Davy Crocket) tripped on his own unlaced shoelaces, dropped his M4 and smashed the optical sights sending shards of glass flying. The shorter and more acne ridden of the two obese cowards yelled that he had pepper spray.. even though he had an enormous cowboy-fetish six shooter on his hip. It was a real comedy and taught me that they are no more than scared little bullies who will run crying home to the GOP when you slap them up the side of the face or turn them over your knee to spank their lily white *****.
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- The problem goes deeper than exercise though we do need to improve our youth fitness programs. The problems today are complex but the greatest need for change is in our food supply. Mega-farming practices for vegetables, land animals and seafood is taking its toll on our health and well-being.
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- I agree. Has anyone graphed the spread of obesity and the spread of fast food restaurants within the USA or any other nation? We'd likely see a parallel line rising at a sharp angle. Once upon a time it was odd to see anyone in the USA on the street walking, driving or doing much of anything with food or a drink in hand being consumed. People used to eat at home, work, school or in restaurants. Now its like a requirement to be putting something in our mouths throughout the day.
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- There's a scary thought.
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- After retiring from the Army with 28+ years, I can attest you have to be in peak physical condition to pass the Army Physical Fitness test. For most kids in their 20s its around 45 Army style pushups, similar number of situps, and a 2 mile run in around 15 minutes. While we cannot expect most civilians to reach this level of fitness they'd all be a lot better off and a lot thinner if they tried. Downside is it's a bit time consuming as just the warm-up exercises take around 20 minutes. Upside is if you can manage to do it just 3 times a week you'll be fitter & healthier than some 95% of our current population. The Army actually give us physical training time as part of the duty day, so civilian businesses might want to do the same. Retired US Army Medical Officer.
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- Parents, a family unit, a parent with a job, an education, all these can help a child. The army cut back on standars for recruits because many could not pass the training. We make excused for kids and adults, and now the government is putting in their heavy hand to tax us into loosing weight. If Mrs. O wants to talk about fitness, she is no poster girl for it either.
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