Road to 350: What Does the US Navy Do Anyway?

[Spekkio]

Honestly this is not surprising. If you made this absolutely disqualifying I imagine the personnel shortage would be disastrous.

The hope is mandatory GLP-1 treatment - especially for deployed members of sea services. Prescribing pharmaceuticals to service members against their will would be the action needed. And honestly it's what I think should be done. Especially given the foods served on US Navy ships.

We didn't have a retention crisis when the BCA was limited to the rope-and-choke prior to 2016, which that person would not have passed. In fact, in 2014 we had just done a mass layoff of enlisted personnel (and officers) because the size of the force was too large.

Obese sailors are a harm to current and future readiness. They are significantly more likely to suffer conditions that result in temporary or permanent removal from physical qualification, and significantly more likely to use more healthcare and disability resources after separation. They also are liabilities in damage control situations.

We don't need everyone to be an adonis, but there's a happy medium between that picture and Leon Marchand where the vast majority of sailors would achieve a bare minimum of physical fitness that didn't harm readiness. My point is that there is science out there that identifies where this is: a BMI of < 26, and failing that, a WtH ratio of < 0.51. We have to stop pretending like being 'not fat' is some unrealistic, unacheivable force-wide goal.

You think Sailors should be forced by to take a pharmaceutical product against their will to lose weight? Are you fucking insane?

Not just any pharmaceutical product - one that is meant for diabetes and used 'off-label' to stimulate weight loss.

 

[sevenhelmet]

Not just any pharmaceutical product - one that is meant for diabetes and used 'off-label' to stimulate weight loss.

One with myriad side effects, many of which would impact readiness more than the fat bodies themselves. I remain unconvinced that we understand all the risks associated with GLP-1 drugs.

The same amount of money would be better spent providing higher quality nutrition to our troops- you can’t outtrain a poor diet.

However, it looks like the question is academic. The USN went with their usual “design by committee” approach, which will likely not fix much.

 

[Spekkio]

Nutrition is on the CNO's radar. I've never served with him, but supposedly he's a picky health eater. There's just a lot of moving parts to make the change.

https://www.usff.navy.mil/Press-Room/Press-Releases/Article/4502450/cnic-launches-galley-and-health-pilot-programs-to-enhance-sailor-well-being-and/

 

[ChuckMK23]

You think Sailors should be forced to take a pharmaceutical product against their will to lose weight? Are you fucking insane?

I do, honestly. A medicine that's certified safe and effective. GLP-1s also are effective at modifying addictive behaviors like gambling and alcoholism. My impression and opinion of the Navy and Marine Corp especially is that the culture treats obesity and poor PT scores as a character flaw. Navy working conditions and food and nutrition suck in my opinion - especially for young enlisted coming from poor to lower socio/economic class backgrounds.

If all other approaches are not working, I propose make GLP-1 treatment as a condition of service and eligibility for promotion.

 

[123412131]

I do, honestly. A medicine that's certified safe and effective. GLP-1s also are effective at modifying addictive behaviors like gambling and alcoholism. My impression and opinion of the Navy and Marine Corp especially is that the culture treats obesity and poor PT scores as a character flaw. Navy working conditions and food and nutrition suck in my opinion - especially for young enlisted coming from poor to lower socio/economic class backgrounds.

If all other approaches are not working, I propose make GLP-1 treatment as a condition of service and eligibility for promotion.

If sailors have poor diets and bad physical health, GLP agonists don't solve that. They just suppress appetite for the duration they're on the medication. They still have bad physical health and poor diets; they're just eating less. The moment they get off the medication, we're back to square one. I won't argue that they're unsafe, because they're not, or ill suited for weight loss, since that's essentially the use case. But long term studies generally show substantial weight regain after discontinuation. Ethical issues notwithstanding, I don't think it's a good idea to make a bunch of sailors essentially chronic obesity patients reliant on medication.

 

[sevenhelmet]

If sailors have poor diets and bad physical health, GLP agonists don't solve that. They just suppress appetite for the duration they're on the medication. They still have bad physical health and poor diets; they're just eating less. The moment they get off the medication, we're back to square one. I won't argue that they're unsafe, because they're not, or ill suited for weight loss, since that's essentially the use case. But long term studies generally show substantial weight regain after discontinuation. Ethical issues notwithstanding, I don't think it's a good idea to make a bunch of sailors essentially chronic obesity patients reliant on medication.

Agreed. I am also dubious about the safety claims. The level of side effects alone would be detrimental to readiness, e.g. “Sorry skipper, I had my shot yesterday and so I’m dizzy and throwing up today.” “OK Snuffy, we just won’t schedule you on Tuesdays.”





I have more relatives who have quit GLP1s and gained the weight back because of side effects than are happy taking them. I’m just not sold, no matter how great big pharma wants me to think they are.

 

[Brett327]

I do, honestly. A medicine that's certified safe and effective. GLP-1s also are effective at modifying addictive behaviors like gambling and alcoholism. My impression and opinion of the Navy and Marine Corp especially is that the culture treats obesity and poor PT scores as a character flaw. Navy working conditions and food and nutrition suck in my opinion - especially for young enlisted coming from poor to lower socio/economic class backgrounds.

If all other approaches are not working, I propose make GLP-1 treatment as a condition of service and eligibility for promotion.

This is bizarre, even for you. A completely absurd proposition. Next up, forced anabolic steroid injections for all hands... because lethality.

 

[sevenhelmet]

This is bizarre, even for you. A completely absurd proposition. Next up, forced anabolic steroid injections for all hands... because lethality.

That’s a straw man you have there, but your point is valid… where is the line?

In a world where Covid vaccinations were a hill some chose to die on, I’m really not too concerned about GLP1 mandates becoming a reality.

Having said that, these were not a thing when I was in service. Are troops able to choose to use GLP1s?

 

[Brett327]

That’s a straw man you have there, but your point is valid… where is the line?

In a world where Covid vaccinations were a hill some chose to die on, I’m really not too concerned about GLP1 mandates becoming a reality.

Having said that, these were not a thing when I was in service. Are troops able to choose to use GLP1s?

Some aviators on this site have said they use them.

 

[CommodoreMid]

I have been on Zepbound since November. I’ve lost 35 lbs and have stabled out on weight as last month my PCM lowered my dose to a maintenance one. I didn’t ask to go on it, but was offered since I have high blood pressure and a diagnosed sleep disorder. Side effects haven’t been bad, just nausea mainly when I’m working out and if I don’t eat enough fiber I pay the price. The quality of my diet has always been pretty good, with the exception of my love of beer, I was just eating too much. Now recipes that I’ve made that said 4-6 servings that I used to portion out in 4 batches I do 6. I definitely also frame food more as fuel rather than as pleasure. TRICARE only pays for it for a year, so will see what life is like in November!