Chris Christie: New Jersey Governor Tells State's National Guard Leader to Lose Weight

You can't make this stuff up (this may have been posted on another, politics, thread, but I have those blocked so here it is just up for regular laughs):

TRENTON, N.J. — Gov. Chris Christie wants the leader of New Jersey's National Guard to shape up.The governor has given Air Force Brig. Gen. Michael Cunniff 90 days to slim down and meet his obligations.
The action comes after Christie's staff told The Washington Post that the governor was unaware the general had been reprimanded by the Pentagon about his weight and for repeatedly dodging physical-fitness tests.

The newspaper obtained the records under the Freedom of Information Act.
Christie declined a request for an interview.

"The Governor has expressed directly to the General that his failure to meet that standard or to provide notification of his formal reprimand is both unacceptable and disappointing," Christie spokesman Kevin Roberts said in an emailed statement.

The governor has given Cunniff 90 days to slim down and "meet his obligations," Roberts wrote.
It was not clear how much weight the general must lose. Cunniff took a fitness test in November 2013, his first in more than three years. He flunked when his waist size was measured at 43.5 inches — 4.5 inches larger than what was allowed.

Cunniff declined an interview request. But the National Guard released a statement in which the general acknowledged he failed to meet the Air Force's fitness requirements in recent years.

"Many people struggle with weight control — I am not immune from this," the general said in the statement. "However, I do recognize that military members and leaders, like myself, are held to a higher standard. I take this matter seriously and am taking the necessary steps to remedy this issue," the general said.
Christie, who once called himself "the healthiest fat guy you've ever seen," secretly underwent weight-loss surgery in 2013. A band was surgically placed around his stomach to restrict how much food he could eat.

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/guard-reserve/2015/09/22/christie-tells-national-guard-leader-slim-down/72607770/

What is strange is Christie had the lap band surgery in 2013 but won't talk about it. He has lost something like 100 pounds, I have heard. That makes it less hilarious for him to expect the general to meet the fitness requirements that are set out for his job.

Mind you, I can't stand Christie, but I kind of wish people would move on from taking jabs at his weight. Surely there is more than enough material to work on in other areas?

PeggyC said:
What is strange is Christie had the lap band surgery in 2013 but won't talk about it. He has lost something like 100 pounds, I have heard. That makes it less hilarious for him to expect the general to meet the fitness requirements that are set out for his job.
Mind you, I can't stand Christie, but I kind of wish people would move on from taking jabs at his weight. Surely there is more than enough material to work on in other areas?

I think it's more a case of "the pot calling the kettle black" when it comes to this story. At least it is as far as I'm concerned. He's very quick to find fault in other people when he possesses those same faults (which, I'm told, is the way it goes -- you see yourself mirrored in other people).

The National Guard story has a lot more to it than just the General's weight. And I don't think the initial criticism of the General came from Christie - he's under pressure to criticize the General because of the zillions of complaints about how things are going w/in the Guard.

The General was appointed to the position by Christie, and like so many of his appointments, the guy is an old childhood friend of his.

Inside Chris Christie’s militia, flab and cronyism trigger mutiny in the ranks

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/inside-chris-christies-militia-flab-and-cronyism-trigger-mutiny-in-the-ranks/2015/09/21/1493ac4c-57bc-11e5-abe9-27d53f250b11_story.html

That part somehow fails to surprise. How anyone can take him seriously as a presidential candidate is beyond me.

He should just be discharged from the military if he is not meeting their requirements.

mjh said:
The National Guard story has a lot more to it than just the General's weight. And I don't think the initial criticism of the General came from Christie - he's under pressure to criticize the General because of the zillions of complaints about how things are going w/in the Guard.
The General was appointed to the position by Christie, and like so many of his appointments, the guy is an old childhood friend of his.


Inside Chris Christie’s militia, flab and cronyism trigger mutiny in the ranks

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/inside-chris-christies-militia-flab-and-cronyism-trigger-mutiny-in-the-ranks/2015/09/21/1493ac4c-57bc-11e5-abe9-27d53f250b11_story.html

Yes, this is the real issue.

hazel said:

mjh said:
The National Guard story has a lot more to it than just the General's weight. And I don't think the initial criticism of the General came from Christie - he's under pressure to criticize the General because of the zillions of complaints about how things are going w/in the Guard.
The General was appointed to the position by Christie, and like so many of his appointments, the guy is an old childhood friend of his.


Inside Chris Christie’s militia, flab and cronyism trigger mutiny in the ranks

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/inside-chris-christies-militia-flab-and-cronyism-trigger-mutiny-in-the-ranks/2015/09/21/1493ac4c-57bc-11e5-abe9-27d53f250b11_story.html

Yes, this is the real issue.

Odd that the Military Times didn't include all of this other factual information (NOT!).

If Christie is "under pressure to criticize the General because of the zillions of complaints about how things are going w/in the Guard", why does he resort only to fat shaming? That's the only thing he has to say about what's going on?

Maybe it's all that goes on inside his thick skull? (Sorry, couldn't help it.)

CapnMarko said:
He should just be discharged from the military if he is not meeting their requirements.

Agree. I wonder -- is there even a physical requirement in the National Guard? Correct me if I'm wrong, but even the N.J. State Police has a yearly physical requirement test. You cannot sport a pot belly in the S.P. uniforms.

Excuse my off-topic, but somewhat related, comment here. Yesterday I was watching Pope Francis at the White House. Standing guard behind him and President Obama were the U.S. Marine Corp sentries. They are always amazingly immaculate. Whenever I am in the presence of a Marine in his dress uniform, I feel like a filthy slob. If you have time, check out the online videos of the preparation ritual of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown.

The physical requirements for the National Guard and Reserves are the same as with activity duty troops with annual testing. Enforcement across all branches can vary according to the commanding officer.

There is a sliding scale so as you get older you don't have to be as fast/fit/strong but there are still minimum requirements and reporting on them.