DEP WEIGHT SITUATION

[hansumsgirl93]

Please help ease my mind!  My girl has been in DEP since April 2012, given ship to basic 9/10/12. she is on her 4th recruiter (this station has not been impressive with the professionalism we expected) and is being pushed to be 150 pounds.  She is 5'7", weighs 163.  I looked up the Navy's charting and the max is 167.  Ok, so shouldn't the recruiter in charge of her, if 163 is a problem, be initiating a diet/excercise schedule or at least being involved to get her where he wants her?  Can he really demand 150?

Sunshine

[Angie]

Legally they can NOT give them a diet plan and a workout plan to follow.  They are NOT in the military, and they are NOT cleared to do military PT. 

 

It is up to her to stay motivated and stay with in standards.  The only time the Navy will push her to PT all the time, will be in bootcamp...after that it is up to her to PT and stay with in standards.  As was said before...3 failures of PT and she will be kicked out.

 

As far as the recruiter stating she has to be a certain weight...has your daughter asked the recruiter to see the instruction stating she has to be 150? If SHE is worried about it?  Is SHE isn't worried about it, and talking to the recruiter about it, than it isn't in issue.  Something else is that the Navy has been "talking" about lowering the weight standards...maybe the recruiter is trying to prepare her for that...

[Craig]

All - I think what you guys are not thinking is the Commanding Officer (CO) has ultimate authority over the unit.  The CO can impose stricker rules than those on the books, he just can't make them easier.  The CO has that authority.  So, if the CO put the word out that he wants all of his deppers to be 10 lbs below the maximum weight limit, then the CO can.  Same is true if the CO thinks your body proportions might look sloppy in uniform, then they can put you on mandatory PT.

What may benefit this thread is a paragraph I had to write for a sailors evaluation that worked for me.  I saved this one in particular since it was one of the hardest ones I had ever wrote.  The Commanding Officer didn't like the way this gal looked in uniform.  Because she worked for me, I was required to write the evaluation, even though the CO already had in his mind made on how the eval should be worded.  Since the CO is required to sign unsatisfactory evaluations, it was reviewed many times by the Chain-Of-Command.  It was returned to me for corrections and rewording about 30 times.  Because I "supposedly" wrote the eval, It made me look like the d*ckhead.  It was the superiors that wrote it, I was just the fall guy that had to type up their words.   Thus, why I saved it.   I really like this gal, she was a great worker.  However, the CO just didn't like the way she looked during personnel inspections.  Being a big guy myself, I really took this one hard.  This is when I learned the Navy cared more about your looks than what you could accomplish for them.  It's ashame we lost this sailor, she was kicked out.

Petty Officer xxxxxx's wide range of operational experience and expertise makes her a very valuable asset to this Staff and the Navy.  However, despite her technical prowess, her abilities and accomplishments are often overlooked as she does not present a sharp appearance in uniform or civilian attire.  Although she meets the Navy body fat standards, she simply needs to either lose or redistribute some weight in order to improve her appearance.  Despite repeated counseling on this subject, she has not taken the necessary actions and/or initiatives to correct the problem. Consequently, she looks worse in uniform today than a year ago.  She failed the September 1995 Physical Readiness Test (PRT) and was placed on the command remedial exercise program from October 1995 to March 1996.  She did successfully pass the March 1996 PRT.  Petty Officer xxxxxx actively supports the Navy's Equal Opportunity Program and goals.  Her command of the English language is considered well above average.

RETENTION:  Not Recommended.

[Anti M]

Careful , we'll disillusion the moms.

Yeah, we had a busty storekeeper who always looked like she was popping out of her uniform.  If she bought larger sizes to fit her bust, she looked even worse.  Pretty sure she'd had her uniform tailored and still it never fit properly.  I was standing next to her during inspection, the CO asked her if she was within weight standards.  She was terribly embarrassed. 

I deleted the rest of the tale.  Too sordid to share here.  Her ability to use her assets kept her afloat, shall we say?

[hansumsgirl93]

ohcheet: congrats on getting to exhale with relief! my exhale was a huff; she'll have to wait unitl january to try again. hoping by then she will have a tight grip on the way this world works; it's not a county rec ball team, not everyone makes it. all: thank you for replying to my query & giving me food for thought! have a very safe & fun fourth - HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA! bring on the candles (roman, that is)

[Anti M]

(except in the dry, dry West, we're on fire out here....)

Is there also a plan B?  Always good to have alternatives!

[Concernedad]

Great attitude hansumgirl! In a world where everyone wants to sue someone, I was very happy to read your outlook. Good luck to you and your future sailor.

[hansumsgirl93]

Plan B - enroll in the local community college this fall & get basic credits out of the way. statistics tell me that if a graduate does not continue as a student immediately, they likely never will, so it's back to the books!  she intends to use the 6 mths to take the weight off in a healthy fashion, tracking daily intake & all.  recruiter reinforced his desire for her success, now she has to make it real!

[Concernedad]

I agree. Plus, keep them busy and it keeps them out of trouble.

[kdmac1]

Myison is on the opposite side he was 5t 11 and weighed in at 135.  His recruiter wanted him to gain weight but instead of focusing on that we focused on the physical requirements to help him.  He was not very active so we pushed the running, pushup, situp.  I think if your daughter focused on this then it would also help keep are weight at or maybe even lower.

[hansumsgirl93]

so our station changes command. again. the one who dropped her is no longer affiliated there & we are back to the recruiter who signed her up. he contacted her today telling her that her contract was still active. he is taking her to back MEPS on thursday to get real stats. fingers crossed, this contact today really did lift her spirits -she was soo dreading community college!

[ebigirl]

Great news. Good luck and a positive attitude. Keep us posted on the results!

[Craig]

hansumsgirl - That is outstanding!  Prayers to her...