Enlisting questions

[SHELLY]

Hello Ladies,

My daughter is interested in joining the navy as a reserve, although she is a little over weight.

Will this hinder her chances of enlisting? I want to give her as much support as possible, but I don't want her heart to be broken if they say no either?

Can you help me with this?

[Hoppi aka Angie]

What is your defination as "a little over weight?" She needs to be with in standards and be able to stay with in standards to be in the Navy weather it be Active or Reserve.

[Lynn]

You should be able to get the standards from a recruiter. The weight standards are set, kind of like wanting to teach but have to have a degree. She will have to make her mind up to lose the weight if she wants to go, just encourage her.

[SHELLY]

Thanks, Lynn

She just came back from the office and they told her she has to loose at least 75 pds. She's now talking about some crash diet, although I'm not sure how happy I am with that. I told her she should find out exactly what she will be doing once she goes to training so that she can prepare now, because a crash diet is a quick fix, not a permant life change, but what do I know right, I'm a mom! I guess my major concern is what's the diet like at camp. She does eat lots of sugars when she gets lonely or depressed, so I'll have to stay on top of letters, also is their access to email, I read one page that said no phone?

[A Proud Texas Mom]

Shelly,
It's awesome that your daughter wants to join, give her all of your support. but in the end it will be up to her how much she wants it. Like everyone else has stated, there is also a physical fitness test she will have to pass before she goes in. A good recruiter works out with their recruits to help them achieve their goals. If your recruiter doesn't seem motivated enough to help her, I would find another recruiter, you don't have to go to a specific recruiter no matter what they tell you. While working out to acheive these goals she will automatically start loosing the weight as her metabolism increases. It depends how fast she feels she needs to lose the weight. There are ways she can lose without going on a crash diet. They get one phone call when the arrive at boot camp then there won't be any more for at least 2 weeks, each one has to be earned not by the recruit but by the entire squadron (it's one of the ways they teach them to work as a team not an individual). I have had two kids in teh Navy, my son is out already and my daughter is a firefighter on the GW in Japan. I would be glad to give your daughter her email address for questions and support. We have to do that via private email though for security purposes. Good Luck to both of you!
Charley

[Karen-Sara & Lauren's Mom]

My daughter graduated RTC last October and my other daughter is going in July. There is no sugar-coating on this. They work you hard, they are in your face and they break you down and built you back up into the men and women that will serve our country. I was very worried about my daughter, but she was advised to keep her head down, listen, don't ask questions and keep on "swimming" like Nemo. Going in, my daughter was sarcastic and a bit rebellious. The transformation was incredible. She's the same person, yet she's not. She is disciplined, mature and nice to be with. Her personality is the same, but wow! She's worked hard and loves her job!. If your daughter is committed, she will also work hard with the diet, exercise and psychological changes to help transform her into becoming a sailor. It can be the best career path for her! I would continue to encourage her. The diet at RTC is lots of carbs and "home-cooked" meals for thousands! The Navy makes sure you get 8 hours a night of sleep and they spend quite a bit of time in the classroom. They work them hard, no question, and it's non-stop. There is no phone contact unless they earn it and they encourage lots of letters. The recruit is responsible for the contents of the mail, so if you send anything that is considered "contraband" (i.e. a stick of gum), then the recruit "pays" for it. The stories my daughter told us were just unbelievable! Please continue to write and let us all know about your daughters' progress. Good Luck. P.S. -no sugar is available. For desserts they have sugar-free jello!

[Chris A.]

Shelly,
The food at boot camp is really quite good (so my son told me and he's a health-food nut). But boot camp is no picnic and your daughter will need to be in really good physical shape to survive it.If the recruiter says she needs to lose 75lbs then that's what she needs to do before they'll accept her. Going on a crash diet is a very bad idea. She'll lose a lot of her strength and endurance, 2 things she'll need in BC. My suggestion is to get her into a good physical training program, lots of exercise and take away her sugary foods that pack on the pounds. If she really is serious about joining the Navy than she needs to buckle down and set her goals.

There is no email at boot camp. No phone calls for the first 2-3 weeks (you can't call them, they MAY be able to call you) and no mail for the first 2-3 weeks. They are totally isolated from family for up to 3 weeks. This is to separate them from the old world and prepare them for the new Navy world.

[Emily]

My husbands recruiter was awesome with him when he needed to lose weight. The chief that was at the recruiters office drove 35 minutes (each way) every other morning to come push my husband and give him that "Navy" boost and run with him. His recruiter also drove 35 minutes (to pick him up and drop him off) to take him to the gym where he had a membership and could bring a friend for free. If your daughter shows she its something she really wants to do then they will help. They can also give her a diet, i'll tell ya right now its a whole lot of yogurt, fruit, veggies and salad, and not much else. And nothing to drink but water!

[Charlie]

I am also in the same position I have to loose 25 before I go to bootcamp. I know that 25 is not as much as 75, But the biggest part is to start traing before she goes the things that I have read have been a little scary and I am way out of shape. I to am going on a crash diet and I have to stop smoking at the same time. So just tell her that if this is something that she really wants then she has to stay focused on the goal. I am probaly older that she is I am 31 so I'm not really a spring chicken any more and I have had two children myself. So I can understand. all she has to do is loose the weight. and she can go. It will really be up to her how bad she wants it. GOOOD LUCK

[Rose R]

Shelly the weight is only part of the issue. Your daughter needs an exercise program to make her fit enough to get thru boot camp once she gets there. Recruits who go in not fit get injured and discharged for the injuries. A crash diet is not the answer. i have had my share of weight problems, and finally lost weight after getting diagnosed with diabetes.
The focus needs to be not so much on weight loss, but on eating healthy. The weight comes off when the focus is on eating healthy.
There is also info on the internet re the recommended diet for those seeking to get fit for the military.
boot camp is not easy. They are cut off from family contact the first 2 weeks, and after that it is very sparing. That is a necessary part of the training. she will have to be ready for that and able to deal with it.

[Barbara]

Hi Shelly, when Stephen first went and spoke to the recruiter, he was about 40 pounds overweight. He basically sat on the computer 24/7. He went ahead and took the practice test. The recruiters worked out with him every morning at 5:00 am. He set a goal for himself to loose the weight, so he ate grilled chicken and salad for a month. He was able to safely loose the weight, get fit, and get prepared for Basic Training. It really made him feel good about himself.

I would give your daughter as much support as you can give her. Talk with the recruiters and see if they will help work out with her. They really helped to motivate Stephen.

Good Luck

[Viki]

My daughter was a few pounds over weight but her body fat (which they go by) was fine.
Have her start now getting in shape and good luck.

[terri brunkhorst]

i know that the military has really cracked down on the weight thing...they will let her know when she goes to see the recruiter. They have physical fitness stuff that they can do to help her get her wieght down if she needs to do that. I would first go talk to a recruiter and see what they say....