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A logistics company currently on a rotational mission to Poland will ultimately not be able to organize its mandatory “biggest loser” competition, military officials confirmed on Monday.
A US Army WTF Moments article revealed that the first sergeant of the 574th Composite Supply Company, a unit based in Fort Wainwright, Alaska, was launching a weight loss competition on Monday based on the TV show “The Biggest Loser. “.
The competition involved dividing the entire company into 15 teams, with names like “Oreo Killers” and “Honey Bun Stunners,” and competing to lose the most pounds by the end of February.
The winners were reportedly given two four-day weekends after returning to Alaska.
However, the problem was not with the idea of a fitness competition. The non-commissioned officer insisted that all soldiers participate, whether or not they meet Army weight standards, and that teams that gained weight would be given two extra hours of service for every pound gained.
In a WhatsApp screenshot attached to the WTF Moments message, one soldier told First Sergeant that “Soldiers are not seeing the weight loss of any of their goals right now because many soldiers are focusing on their own goals. of fitness and are already in [Army Regulation] 600-9 standards.
“I am not interested in what the soldier[s] “Want to do,” replied the first sergeant. “He is [not necessarily] on weight … or their own fitness goals. It is a business matter and a matter of morale and team building. “
A US Army spokesperson for Europe and Africa, Major Scott Kuhn, told Army Times that “the issue is being addressed through the unit’s chain of command.”
“While we support creative ways to help our Soldiers maintain physical readiness, we expect these activities to boost morale, meet Army standards, and align with healthy eating and recovery habits. healthy form, ”added Kuhn.
The command’s concern stems from widely understood issues regarding eating disorders and unhealthy weight loss within the force, which were the subject of a task and goal investigation last year.
According to Task and objective, the unit’s chain of command is investigating the incident and will not retaliate against any soldiers who reported it.
Davis Winkie is a staff reporter covering the Army. He initially joined Military Times as a trainee journalist in 2020. Prior to journalism, Davis worked as a military historian. He is also a human resources officer in the Army National Guard.
