State Defense Forces across the nation are actively recruiting and commissioning new soldiers, with some flexibility in their height and weight standards compared to the U.S. Military. In many cases, they allow recruits to be slightly above the military weight standards—often 10 or 20 pounds overweight—due to the current health trends in the U.S. population. This leeway in recruitment reflects the reality that many Americans are struggling with obesity, and some adjustments are necessary to maintain the readiness of these forces.
While State Defense Forces should accommodate applicants who are slightly overweight but not obese, we at StateDefenseForce.com have observed that some State Defense Forces are enlisting or commissioning recruits who fall into the obese category and allowing them to wear military uniforms. This raises important questions about the maintenance of operational standards and the public perception of these forces.
Does your State Defense Force enlist or commission soldiers that are obese?
- Yes, our State Defense Force has several individuals who meet the criteria for obesity.
- Yes, we have a small number of individuals who are classified as obese.
- No, while our State Defense Force includes some individuals who are overweight, none are considered obese
