60 Minutes is a rag. Once when I didn't control the channel, I saw them do a hatchet job on a guy who sued a newspaper for libel, and 60 Minutes pointed out firmly and more than once that the newspaper hadn't printed the false statements in the paper, but only put them in a letter.
Well "publishing libel" doesn't mean publishing in a newspaper. If it did, only newspapers or those who used newspapers could commit libel. Publishing libel in a letter that is given or sent to someone is all that's required for "publication". 60 Minutes didn't care.
In its report "Too Fat to Fight," a nonpartisan coalition of 300 retired senior military leaders warns Congress that at least 27 percent of Americans ages 17 to 24 are too heavy to meet basic enlistment standards.
The group, Mission Readiness, estimates 75 percent of Americans that age are unqualified for service considering the combination of obesity, lack of a high school degree and criminal history.
And obesity, they state, is one of the biggest of the problems. Each of the estimated 212,800 Hoosier young people deemed too heavy for service would have to lose an average of 32 pounds just to be considered, according to the report.
Some years ago, I did visit a recruiter. One of the first things the guy did was have me on a scale. He said I had to lose some number of pound before he could enlist me, and then by the end of basic training I'd have to be down to yet another weight guideline. And, yes, 32 does sound about right.
At my advanced age, there are some clerking and supply jobs I can do, but I'm not suited to front line work.
Sarge: Do you hear me, recruit! Young: What's that, Sgt. Carter? I need to change my hearing aid battery. Sarge: Load up your ruck, fill your canteens, and fall in. We're going five miles up the trail to Marchistan Village. Young: Well, don't know about that. It's mighty hot out, and I'm down to my last heart pill. And this plastic, hollow rifle sure gets heavy. Sarge: What is that you are doing with your boot, Private Young? Young: Those hard soles are rough on my feet, so I'm doubling up on foam cushion inner soles. And then I've got to get to pharmacy to resupply my heart meds, my diuretic, and my pain pills. Oh, I'll be in the latrine for a while, and don't leave without me. I'll be in for a long time. Sarge: You sure your middle name ain't Gomer?
No, I am not able to crawl or kneel. Since a good part of my job function required that I do that,,, per my company's policy I had to take their long term disability...and per Social Security I was declared disabled.
Mt knees healed well, but the range of motion was not sufficient for kneeling. (I had a total of three additional arthroscopic procedures after my knee replacements with some improvement...but not enough for kneeling.)
Note: The results from person to person vary...but even if you were able to bend your knees far enough to kneel, it could be difficult to do so and might feel uncomfortable.
Additionally, full healing can easily take a year or longer.
Had I had a desk job however, I would have been able to go back to work within six weeks.
Yep. I worked with a guy who was only 25 years old and 300 pounds.
He was a big guy but still 75 pounds over-weight and already having heart problems. Very sad. Plus , he is a smoker. He is not going to have a good life.
The 70% initial rejection number is (approx) correct...
That said, the approval numbers for people trying for a second time have been increasing.
I know the lawyers want to get their hands in this but would advise /not/ getting one the first time around.
Back 30 or 40 years ago it very well might have been easy to get disability...but having recently gone through the process I assure you that it was a very rigorous process. They needed /substantial/ documentation going back /many/ years.
HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.