Nearly three out of four young Oklahomans are ineligible for military service for reasons related to obesity, lack of education or having a criminal record, a new study shows.
That percentage of ineligibility is the 14th highest in the country. The report was published by Mission: Readiness, a group composed of 450 retired generals and admirals who are championing the White House’s nutrition reform efforts as a way to combat obesity.
Their report showed 70 percent of young adults nationwide are ineligible for military service, with about 25 percent of those disqualified due to their weight. One in eight current military members is considered obese, the report notes.
Obesity is one of the main reasons why more than 70 percent of young Americans are unable to serve in today’s military. This includes young adults in families with generations of military service, and others who have the critical skills our military needs but cannot join simply because of too many extra pounds.
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