I'd be more interested in the obesity rate in the combat MOS sectors of all branches of the military.

Ironically, with enlistment rates declining, the Combat MOS sector would probably have the hardest time keeping the ranks full.

Especially nowadays with the younger generation confused as to what they have between their legs and have no love or patriotism for the country that allows them to be whatever they want to be.

The biggest problem is:  Do we kick these fatsos out of the service or do we keep them because nobody wants to join anymore?

In my opinion the majority of the obesity problem lies in the rear echelon MOS sectors.  Interesting and disturbing problem in light of World events lately.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/us-military-under-dire-threat-as-70-of-members-are-overweight-or-obese/ar-AA1lYmat?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=20820596c18c4fcca3a03715055a7cf3&ei=75

they should adopt the Southwest policy

Don't know if things have changed, but ...

As a 1st Lt, i had a 19-year Master Sgt working for me,  By all appearances, he was WAY over the max weight limit.

My commander was always on him about it, but there wasn't much we could do.  That commander would make comments around others like, "How does he keep those shirt buttons on?  Titanium thread?"

The solution for the shirt buttons bulging was me telling him to go buy larger shirts.     He did, and that helped him at least look less like he's bulging out of his uniform.

;I looked through his personnel file, and he was either evaluated for his weight at the hospital or on the official weight management program almost all of his 19 years in service.

The last eval he had by an AF doctor told him, "You're just a big guy.  i've seen way worse in uniform."  The result was the Sgt's max weight limit was increased to 5 lbs over his current weight.

Over his career, the weight limit was increased no fewer than 6 times.  He was my height, so his max was in the 192 lbs range (it varied over the years, but no more than 195).  I was 175. 

By the time he retired at 20 years, his max weight had been pushed to 238 lbs.  What I noticed was, every time his weigh limit was increased, he met, and soon after exceeded, his new max.  It was as if he saw that as a challenge to exceed rather than a reprieve from the current harassment over his weight.

I wound up counseling him 6 months before he was up for reenlistment.  I asked if he expected to remain in the AF, and he said he'd like that option when the time to retire came.  I told him i needed to see improvements in his appearance, compliance with his weight standard, and in the example he set for our more junior enlisted.  At the time we had a TSgt, a SSgt, and an A1C (Airman 1st Class) working in the section.  He was my NCO, and I needed him to provide guidance -- not be a poster boy for what not to be like.

After 6 months, I declined to recommend he remain on active duty after he reached retirement.  When I told him that's what I was going to turn in, he said he didn't blame me.  I gave him a chance, and he failed to follow through.  I did make sure his retirement pay would not be impacted since his separation date was 2 months before his 20 year retirement date.  Regulations were that, when the separation date is within 12 months of being able to retire, his separation date would be adjusted to coincide with the 20 year mark.

In summary, that was in the 1980s.  So, this all started with him joining in the 1960s.  Overweight military members is not a new problem.  Once someone officially weights in over their max, they are given a chance to weigh in again in  a month.  You can tell who's getting weighed soon by who's in the base gym's sauna trying to sweat off the last couple of pounds! 

if they bust their re-weigh-in, they are sent for a medical eval.  If the doctor thinks they are at a healthy weight, then the max limit is increased for that member, and nothing else is done.  If the doctor decides the person should be under the standard max, then the person is automatically enrolled in a weight management program which includes dietary counseling and mandatory PT/Exercise as a group every weekday morning before the duty day starts.

As long as they are making progress and losing a couple of pounds per month, they remain on active duty and on the WMP.  Once they make weight, they are still on a WMP, but don't have to attend the mandatory PT.  Weight is monitored weekly, and any relapses are addressed and corrected. 

Weight is a difficult thing to manage for some, depending on their personal problems, lifestyle, and external influences.

i was over the max limit in HS, and when I became an ROTC scholarship finalist, I was riding a bike for hours everyday that the weather allowed.  i rode all over the county and city near my house -- near being 10-15 miles.

I dropped 20 lbs in 2 months and even more when I started college by making smarter choices and being less sedentary.  We had to run our 1-1/2 mile qualification test every semester, and I hate running.  Took me 3 tries to make it around the track all 6 laps without puking.  After that, i started running regularly just to be sure i could make my time.

The key appears to be motivation.  Without the proper motivation, people will do whatever they feel like.

It's tempting to blame it on moral lapses but to have an honest talk about the bad quality of American food, and I'm guessing that means military food as well. All those pesticides and hormones don't just magically disappear once you cook it up. Also there are higher rates of obesity next to watersheds, which indicates some sort of toxic runoff is clogging our livers.

https://www.zerohedge.com/commodities/i-am-going-red-pill-you-about-vegetable-oils

It's tempting to blame it on moral lapses but to have an honest talk about the bad quality of American food, and I'm guessing that means military food as well. All those pesticides and hormones don't just magically disappear once you cook it up. Also there are higher rates of obesity next to watersheds, which indicates some sort of toxic runoff is clogging our livers.

https://www.zerohedge.com/commodities/i-am-going-red-pill-you-about-vegetable-oils

The last time I ate at a military mess, which was in Atsugi, Japan, the options were very healthy.  Fresh fruits and vegetables, soups (chicken noodle, beef stew), chicken, fish, salads, etc.

If you aren't in a remote deployed location, chances are the mess hall meals are healthier than what most high schools serve students.

I'd be more interested in the obesity rate in the combat MOS sectors of all branches of the military.

Ironically, with enlistment rates declining, the Combat MOS sector would probably have the hardest time keeping the ranks full.

Especially nowadays with the younger generation confused as to what they have between their legs and have no love or patriotism for the country that allows them to be whatever they want to be.

The biggest problem is:  Do we kick these fatsos out of the service or do we keep them because nobody wants to join anymore?

In my opinion the majority of the obesity problem lies in the rear echelon MOS sectors.  Interesting and disturbing problem in light of World events lately.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/us-military-under-dire-threat-as-70-of-members-are-overweight-or-obese/ar-AA1lYmat?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=20820596c18c4fcca3a03715055a7cf3&ei=75

Tough question. Have a force that is too small or a larger force that is too fat. If I had to make the call I would say better to be smaller force but in shape. I have heard some speculate that lowering standards may be part of what is hurting recruiting. By setting lower standards, joining isn't as much of an accomplishment or a challenge.


At some point in the future drones could replace most soldier roles in which case the fat soldier could sit at his computer screen. In that situation the military may need to reevaluate whether the fitness standards are still necessary.

At some point in the future drones could replace most soldier roles in which case the fat soldier could sit at his computer screen. In that situation the military may need to reevaluate whether the fitness standards are still necessary.

"You can't push the button if you disable the hand". Starship Troopers reference.

Here's my opinion:

Our nation has become fatter compared to the prior decades. So it's no surprise that this carries over to the military.  Instead of sticking to the standards, it's often ignored or changed to meet society pressures. Many society pressures have caused changes to the military standards and not always for the best. Like Sheiks allowed to grow their beard.  Being clean shaven is so a gas mask can form a proper seal. Spec ops often don't need to shave, but this has a greater benefit of fitting in while deployed in a middle eastern country.  Risk of fitting in is greater than the odds of having to use a gas mask.  And because beards take a long time to grow, if 1 shaves when they're back home for a month, then they won't have the full beard when they go back on deployment.  Also now Sheiks get new covers (hats). 

Instead of a take it or leave it military, we are slowly catering to the small demographic which makes it weaker.  Being fat also makes it harder for someone to have to carry or drag them, if need be.

So it's no surprise, this with the mandated covid vaxx at the time that many weren't joining or reelisting.  The military has enough problems that social stuff like this shouldn't be 1 of them.

When one joins, you sign a contract and give up things. So this is no different.

Here's my opinion:

Our nation has become fatter compared to the prior decades. So it's no surprise that this carries over to the military.  Instead of sticking to the standards, it's often ignored or changed to meet society pressures. Many society pressures have caused changes to the military standards and not always for the best. Like Sheiks allowed to grow their beard.  Being clean shaven is so a gas mask can form a proper seal. Spec ops often don't need to shave, but this has a greater benefit of fitting in while deployed in a middle eastern country.  Risk of fitting in is greater than the odds of having to use a gas mask.  And because beards take a long time to grow, if 1 shaves when they're back home for a month, then they won't have the full beard when they go back on deployment.  Also now Sheiks get new covers (hats). 

Instead of a take it or leave it military, we are slowly catering to the small demographic which makes it weaker.  Being fat also makes it harder for someone to have to carry or drag them, if need be.

So it's no surprise, this with the mandated covid vaxx at the time that many weren't joining or reelisting.  The military has enough problems that social stuff like this shouldn't be 1 of them.

When one joins, you sign a contract and give up things. So this is no different.

Fat soldiers.

Fat Cops.

Fat doctors.

In the past, it was taught we should set goals based on ideals.

Today, we set goals based on materialistic or ego-stroking achievements.

A majority of HS graduates when asked what they want to be replied, "Social Media influencer."

When you subsidize something, you are bound to get more of it.  When you tax it, you get less of it.

I realize that warfare is always changing.  And one of the more prominent changes is how we fight in the battlefield.

Tanks and artillery pieces are more sophisticated, with computers on board to help soldiers acquire targets and destroy them.

With the introduction of drones, we now can destroy the enemy from a distance.

So now there are better weapon systems to help the front line units like infantry and cavalry and reduce the amount of direct physical confrontation like the battles of the past.

But I don't think front line units will ever be eliminated in warfare.  And when I look at the conflicts happening right now, if the United States Military were ever called upon to put boots on the ground, I wonder how far will those boots get before they collapse from a heart attack or the rucksack gets too heavy. 

This is why I am interested in the percentage of soldiers who are considered "fat" and are in the front line units.

Personally I don't think there is room for being "fat" when serving in the military.  Even if you serve in a rear echelon unit like a field medical unit or a field re-supply unit (fuel, food, supply parts, etc) you are constantly moving, setting up, breaking down, and supporting those front line fighters.

I remember the forced march/runs in full combat gear with rucksacks, gas masks, weapons, the whole shebang.  We ran until we puked, fell down, then we got up and ran some more.  Following us was a duece and a half truck.  Those who couldn't continue on were put on that truck.  The ultimate humiliation to your pride.  It shows everyone you don't have what it takes.  We would rather die than get on that truck.

The training cadre would be constantly yelling at us, telling us that in real war, that duece and a half would be North Korean Soldiers.  They train all day long to run down their enemy and bayonet them when they couldn't run no more.  They said we are training so we do the bayoneting, not them.

Anyway, in my days we ran in fatigues and our combat boots.  Nowadays they run in shorts, t-shirts, and running/jogging shoes.  Been like this shortly after I got out so it's been a while.  Something about avoiding injuries.

Makes sense.  But I hope today's soldiers know that there will be no packing of shorts, t-shirts, and running shoes when they go to war.

And overweight and obese has no place in the US Military.  Just my 2 cents.

The military uses a BMI (Body Mass Index) chart that doesn't tell the difference between fat and muscle weight.  I have a few friends in the 100/442 American Samoan unit.  Pretty much almost all the Samoans there were above the BMI allowance.  So they had to change it/bend the rules for these soldiers.  And the ones in the unit weren't fat Samoans, but more like rugby body type.  This is 1 issue when using a BMI.

The other thing they had to tell the non-Samoan officers mainly was to not talk bad about their family as this is a big deal in the Samoan culture and they will fight, regardless of punishments.  It was such a problem that they had to warn the non-Samoan officers.

I realize that warfare is always changing.  And one of the more prominent changes is how we fight in the battlefield.

Tanks and artillery pieces are more sophisticated, with computers on board to help soldiers acquire targets and destroy them.

With the introduction of drones, we now can destroy the enemy from a distance.

So now there are better weapon systems to help the front line units like infantry and cavalry and reduce the amount of direct physical confrontation like the battles of the past.

But I don't think front line units will ever be eliminated in warfare.  And when I look at the conflicts happening right now, if the United States Military were ever called upon to put boots on the ground, I wonder how far will those boots get before they collapse from a heart attack or the rucksack gets too heavy. 

This is why I am interested in the percentage of soldiers who are considered "fat" and are in the front line units.

Personally I don't think there is room for being "fat" when serving in the military.  Even if you serve in a rear echelon unit like a field medical unit or a field re-supply unit (fuel, food, supply parts, etc) you are constantly moving, setting up, breaking down, and supporting those front line fighters.

I remember the forced march/runs in full combat gear with rucksacks, gas masks, weapons, the whole shebang.  We ran until we puked, fell down, then we got up and ran some more.  Following us was a duece and a half truck.  Those who couldn't continue on were put on that truck.  The ultimate humiliation to your pride.  It shows everyone you don't have what it takes.  We would rather die than get on that truck.

The training cadre would be constantly yelling at us, telling us that in real war, that duece and a half would be North Korean Soldiers.  They train all day long to run down their enemy and bayonet them when they couldn't run no more.  They said we are training so we do the bayoneting, not them.

Anyway, in my days we ran in fatigues and our combat boots.  Nowadays they run in shorts, t-shirts, and running/jogging shoes.  Been like this shortly after I got out so it's been a while.  Something about avoiding injuries.

Makes sense.  But I hope today's soldiers know that there will be no packing of shorts, t-shirts, and running shoes when they go to war.

And overweight and obese has no place in the US Military.  Just my 2 cents.

You are ignoring a massive piece of the puzzle:  active duty versus national guard & reserves.

In the 1990s, after the Berlin Wall fell and signaled the end of the Cold War, our geniuses in DC lead by Pres. Clinton decided to SHIFT FOCUS from a large, active duty force to a more bare-bones force.  They cut active force numbers by huge margins, and increased allocations for reserve units.  The initial thought was to save money by not having to maintain a large fighting force full time.  If (when) more people are needed, the reserves and national guard can be activated. Most of them were planned to back-fill deployed soldiers and take over US mainland jobs -- transportation, medical, and other services the deployed members had been doing.

It was a workable plan util we deployed to Iraq. That's when reservists had to start filling combat roles because the active duty forces were losing too many people.  The gov't then created the stop-loss rules/laws, which kept those planning to separate or retire from leaving.

Attrition in a normal time is difficult to predict and offset with recruiting.  Trying to retain trained, experienced people in time of war while dealing with a drop in recruiting takes becomes an exercise in futility.

Here's my point -- many of the overweight military you see or hear of are reservists.  More are Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) than the number who have to take a weekend once a month plus 2 weeks every year to fulfill their reserve commitment.  IRR are supposed to maintain standards, maintain the minimum required uniforms, and be ready to deploy if activated. 

It's very difficult to maintain a military-ready lifestyle when you work, live and eat in a civilian job and home everyday.  That's especially true when the odds of being called up used to be about the same as winning the Power Ball lottery.

When I first became an Air Force officer, I was commissioned through ROTC.  For the ininformed, that stands for Reserve Officer Training Corps.  Keyword: Reserve.

When I graduated, I was placed on reserve status awaiting my first assignment.  Some ROTC grads waited up to a year or longer before reporting for active duty.  I was lucky.  i graduated May 5th, and was on EAD (Extended Active Duty) on May 18th.  I began my active duty career in training at Biloxi, MS (Keesler AFB) for 13 weeks, then to my first permanent duty station at Tinker AFB, OK.

I was offered a Regular Commission, which i was torn over accepting.  Regular is the opposite of Reserve.  If there's a RIF (Reduction in Force), the Reservists leave first before any regulars are booted out involuntarily.  I made my decisions based on serving 20 and retiring, but things changed.  With the Cold War no longer a thing, and the voluntary programs to get people to leave, I was eager to get out and start a civilian career.  Having accepted a regular commission, however, created a road block. 

When the VSI/SSD program was announced to get officers to leave, it was only open for RESERVE officers for the first 6 months.  Only after they failed to get enough volunteers would it be open to regular officers -- which i became about 4 months prior!

Anyway, the numbers of reservists leaving were low enough that I was accepted for separation soon after.  Once separated, I was automatically reassigned into the IRR.  After I think about 5 years, I was discharged from the reserves with no further commitment -- i.e. no longer subject to recall.

Anyway, that's my experience.  After all the issues of recruiting and retaining military numbers to support the wars we've been in, I imagine things may be a lot more complicated now.

So, when you see an overweight person in uniform, chances are good they are really civilians who was activated and had to leave their potentially cushy civilian job to serve their country.

The military uses a BMI (Body Mass Index) chart that doesn't tell the difference between fat and muscle weight.  I have a few friends in the 100/442 American Samoan unit.  Pretty much almost all the Samoans there were above the BMI allowance.  So they had to change it/bend the rules for these soldiers.  And the ones in the unit weren't fat Samoans, but more like rugby body type.  This is 1 issue when using a BMI.

The other thing they had to tell the non-Samoan officers mainly was to not talk bad about their family as this is a big deal in the Samoan culture and they will fight, regardless of punishments.  It was such a problem that they had to warn the non-Samoan officers.

That's a good point.  We had an ROTC grad who needed to get a waiver for his weight.

This was a pilot candidate who looked like Lou Ferrigno.  His name was Keith Golden -- no lie!  Apparently the Air Force was worried he wouldn't fit in a cockpit, so he underwent several doctors' evaluations to try and get a waiver.  i think IIRC he was 50 lbs over his max weight -- but his BMI was about 1%.  He could finish the mile and a half qualification in 8 minutes -- the fastest in our ROTC unit -- when the standard required 12 minutes or less.

i doubt anyone would have said he looked fat in uniform -- at least not to his face!!

(Just kidding -- he was probably one of the nicest people you'd ever meet)

You are ignoring a massive piece of the puzzle:  active duty versus national guard & reserves.

In the 1990s, after the Berlin Wall fell and signaled the end of the Cold War, our geniuses in DC lead by Pres. Clinton decided to SHIFT FOCUS from a large, active duty force to a more bare-bones force.  They cut active force numbers by huge margins, and increased allocations for reserve units.  The initial thought was to save money by not having to maintain a large fighting force full time.  If (when) more people are needed, the reserves and national guard can be activated. Most of them were planned to back-fill deployed soldiers and take over US mainland jobs -- transportation, medical, and other services the deployed members had been doing.

It was a workable plan util we deployed to Iraq. That's when reservists had to start filling combat roles because the active duty forces were losing too many people.  The gov't then created the stop-loss rules/laws, which kept those planning to separate or retire from leaving.

Attrition in a normal time is difficult to predict and offset with recruiting.  Trying to retain trained, experienced people in time of war while dealing with a drop in recruiting takes becomes an exercise in futility.

Here's my point -- many of the overweight military you see or hear of are reservists.  More are Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) than the number who have to take a weekend once a month plus 2 weeks every year to fulfill their reserve commitment.  IRR are supposed to maintain standards, maintain the minimum required uniforms, and be ready to deploy if activated. 

It's very difficult to maintain a military-ready lifestyle when you work, live and eat in a civilian job and home everyday.  That's especially true when the odds of being called up used to be about the same as winning the Power Ball lottery.

When I first became an Air Force officer, I was commissioned through ROTC.  For the ininformed, that stands for Reserve Officer Training Corps.  Keyword: Reserve.

When I graduated, I was placed on reserve status awaiting my first assignment.  Some ROTC grads waited up to a year or longer before reporting for active duty.  I was lucky.  i graduated May 5th, and was on EAD (Extended Active Duty) on May 18th.  I began my active duty career in training at Biloxi, MS (Keesler AFB) for 13 weeks, then to my first permanent duty station at Tinker AFB, OK.

I was offered a Regular Commission, which i was torn over accepting.  Regular is the opposite of Reserve.  If there's a RIF (Reduction in Force), the Reservists leave first before any regulars are booted out involuntarily.  I made my decisions based on serving 20 and retiring, but things changed.  With the Cold War no longer a thing, and the voluntary programs to get people to leave, I was eager to get out and start a civilian career.  Having accepted a regular commission, however, created a road block. 

When the VSI/SSD program was announced to get officers to leave, it was only open for RESERVE officers for the first 6 months.  Only after they failed to get enough volunteers would it be open to regular officers -- which i became about 4 months prior!

Anyway, the numbers of reservists leaving were low enough that I was accepted for separation soon after.  Once separated, I was automatically reassigned into the IRR.  After I think about 5 years, I was discharged from the reserves with no further commitment -- i.e. no longer subject to recall.

Anyway, that's my experience.  After all the issues of recruiting and retaining military numbers to support the wars we've been in, I imagine things may be a lot more complicated now.

So, when you see an overweight person in uniform, chances are good they are really civilians who was activated and had to leave their potentially cushy civilian job to serve their country.

About 10 years ago when there's "job openings" in the Air Froce, they look at ROTC before OCS officers.  Same with promotions.  I was told this by a friend who was gonna go to OCS, but chose ROTC isntead as he wanted go career,

I also remember when our National Guard was deployed to Iraq as well.  Had a bunch of friends who never thought they would ever get deployed, which is why they joined the NG.

About 10 years ago when there's "job openings" in the Air Froce, they look at ROTC before OCS officers.  Same with promotions.  I was told this by a friend who was gonna go to OCS, but chose ROTC isntead as he wanted go career,

I also remember when our National Guard was deployed to Iraq as well.  Had a bunch of friends who never thought they would ever get deployed, which is why they joined the NG.

The personnel center for each branch prioritizes commissioning sources as Academy, ROTC and OCS.

Fun fact:  I never thought much about the issue until I noticed during one of my periodic personnel records reviews that my date of rank made no sense.

According to the "rules" as i'd been told, when you enter active duty, your date of rank is calculated as half a day for each day between the day you are commissioned and the day you were placed on active duty.

In my case, that would 1/2 the number of days from May 5th to May 18th, which is 6 days rounded down (half of 12).  That SHOULD have given me a DOR of May 11th.

What I saw on my personnel record printout said DOR = May 30th.   

That was 19 days after what I thought it should be -- over half a month.

When I went to our base personnel office, the MSgt there had to research for half an hour and finally figured out what happened.

The rule nobody told me about was that an officer commissioned through ROTC is not allowed to out-rank an officer commissioned through the Academy who is in the same graduating class/year.

The graduation date for the 1984 Academy cadets was May 31.  Therefore my DOR was adjusted to May 31.  That means I was on active duty for 13 days in May with a DOR that didn't yet exist!

That was when I started resenting Academy grads -- especially anyone who graduated in 84!   

That's a good point.  We had an ROTC grad who needed to get a waiver for his weight.

This was a pilot candidate who looked like Lou Ferrigno.  His name was Keith Golden -- no lie!  Apparently the Air Force was worried he wouldn't fit in a cockpit, so he underwent several doctors' evaluations to try and get a waiver.  i think IIRC he was 50 lbs over his max weight -- but his BMI was about 1%.  He could finish the mile and a half qualification in 8 minutes -- the fastest in our ROTC unit -- when the standard required 12 minutes or less.

i doubt anyone would have said he looked fat in uniform -- at least not to his face!!

(Just kidding -- he was probably one of the nicest people you'd ever meet)

Was this a legit concern?  Like did he acutely sit in various aircraft to show he can fit?  Also I assume there's a weight requirement for ejection seats. Lifting weights > being a pilot. Sacrifices.

Was this a legit concern?  Like did he acutely sit in various aircraft to show he can fit?  Also I assume there's a weight requirement for ejection seats. Lifting weights > being a pilot. Sacrifices.

Depending on the aircraft, some fighter jets are pretty cramped.

Pilot candidates start out in prop planes, then the first jet they trained on was the T-37.  The first mach 1 jet was the T-38.  Then it all depended on the unit they are assigned to post-training as to the jet they fly.

If he were assigned to a transport/airlift squadron, I'm sure he'd have been fine.  But he wanted to be a fighter pilot.

I would bet he'd have trimmed down if that's what it took.  He had the discipline to body build, so he'd have the same drive to drop the weight, too, if needed.

He graduated a year ahead of me, and I never heard what he was up to before I left for my first assignment.

Depending on the aircraft, some fighter jets are pretty cramped.

Pilot candidates start out in prop planes, then the first jet they trained on was the T-37.  The first mach 1 jet was the T-38.  Then it all depended on the unit they are assigned to post-training as to the jet they fly.

If he were assigned to a transport/airlift squadron, I'm sure he'd have been fine.  But he wanted to be a fighter pilot.

I would bet he'd have trimmed down if that's what it took.  He had the discipline to body build, so he'd have the same drive to drop the weight, too, if needed.

He graduated a year ahead of me, and I never heard what he was up to before I left for my first assignment.

With the invention of YouTube, you can find the ceremonies of pilots getting their assingments.   It's like the Academy Awards where the pilot opens a giant post card in an envelope with the type of plane they will now get training for.  The F35/22 pilots seem to celebrate the most and so do their wives.

1 YT pilot channel I enjoy is Hazaard Lee. He was a F16 pilot and began training for F22.