Asymmetric Military

Photo - Sgt. 1st Class Jason Sealey, Kohe Safi Police Mentor Team, holds a calf still while Lt. Col. Richard Probst, 413th Civil Affairs Battalion, gives it a shot during a medical outreach visit, Nov. 27, 2007, in Afghanistan’s Parwan province. Coalition doctors and veterinarians saw more than 450 people and 330 animals during the two-day visit. Photo by Senior Airman James Bolinger, USAF.

Coalition Forces Treat 450 Afghans During Medical Outreach

30 November 2007

By Senior Airman James Bolinger, USAF

Combined Joint Task Force 82 Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan – The towns of Eskandareh and Pacha Khak hide deep within the mountains of the Kohe Safid district in Afghanitan’s Parwan province.

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But now, troops gain an average of 10 pounds on deployment, Brooks said, and a recent study that has not yet been released showed that troops’ cholesterol levels are going up after just 12 months in the war zone.

Once again, I'm above average. I gained about fifteen pounds during my deployment. Before I make my point, let me say that some soldiers do take advantage of their time and hit the usually readily accessible weights (some take time to improve oneself mentally or spiritually as well.). The food's actually pretty good and probably healthier than back in the states, although many buy (or, receive from home) junk food.

In addition to the article's reasons ("looking forward" to food, stress, etc. which are all very valid), I'd say, like almost anything else, weight gain during deployment occurs because of a lack of motivation. This may be offensive to some, but here it is:

Being deployed is like being happily married. No, I'm not saying running down "bad guys" is equivalent to being with your better half; I'm saying that when I was deployed, the last thing on my mind was staying in shape, and, consequently, I let myself go. I didn't have to impress anybody (with my thin waist, at least). I wasn't going to parties. I just did my "job," and engaged in some hobbies (movies, Stargate, and reading were mine. If I knew what blogging was in 2005, I would have done that.). It helped that I worked on the airfield and didn't have to engage in strenuous activity day in and day out.

In addition, many commanders, recognizing the soldiers' stresses and preferring to concentrate on the tasks at hand, choose not to nag soldiers on their weight, etc. I figure that that's most of it.

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A local Iraqi firefighter operates a hose while Staff Sgt. Joshua Wilson gives advice to effectively knock out a fire during training. The 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters conduct a live-fire training exercise for the Iraqi firefighters teaching basic skills of advancing a hand line, procedures on approaching hazardous environments and performing search and rescue. Sergeant Wilson is deployed from Kadena Air Base, Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jonathan Snyder).

Air Force firefighters teach Iraqis blaze fighting basics

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