Recruiter wants to start “fat farm” for possible soldiers

FORT JACKSON, S.C. (AP) - The Army’s top recruiter says he’s considering starting a “fat farm” to turn chubby recruits into soldiers.

Maj. Gen. Thomas Bostick talked about the possibility while visiting Fort Jackson, home of the Army’s new Prep School. That program that started in August is designed to help recruits earn a GED before starting their nine weeks of basic training.
Bostick says the Prep School could be the place to send overweight recruits. The Army has been dismissing many overweight recruits, something it doesn’t want to do when troops are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Bostick says the program could include a formal diet and fitness regimen. He says obesity could be a bigger challenge than the lack of education for some recruits.