Parliamentary commissioner: German soldiers too fat, smoke too much

Article : Parliamentary commissioner: German soldiers too fat, smoke too much
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What do you expect:
(a) Its a completely mindless boring job.
(b) Engaging in actual combat has been ruled out, even is a combat zone.
If you can't find anyone to smoke, smoke cigarettes.

I'm amazed, dismayed and above all ashamed at the prejudice and ignorance I see in the majority of these postings! Another fine example of America's superiority complex and hate mongoring... Take a good look at yourselves before you judge others.

....gosh, I wonder who said that? So, the insidious master plan of the victorious Allied Powers reaches fruition: trash their cultures, and stuff them with Doritos and Big Macs. Hey, wait a minute, we ARE talking about the Germans, right?

YES. Go Germany.

How can soldiers be in WORSE shape than civilians? They should have platoon vs platoon soccer matches or something when they aren't training.

In all serious it is hard to buy this, I have met a lot of Germans and they seem in fine condition. Maybe a schedule of "intramural" style activities on bases? Also more hiking. (Sorry guys.)

I thought soldiers ran around and trained a lot? Good old fashioned running, jumping and shooting exercises? Mix that with more sports stuff and that should do it.

They could also be encoouraged to take up anything from ballroom dance or round dance(there's a cool tradition to bring back)or other sports when off duty.

If they are near US military bases there are many square and round dance clubs they could try too.

And Germany today is NOT WW2 Germany, or WW1 Germany for that matter.....

German law now forbids thier soldiers the wearing of the uniform in public places. The German left/greens have long been treating thier armed forces as an embarrassment. The troops response is then to live up to the expectation. An Army runs on personal and unit pride,they have taken that away so they don't have soldiers anymore, just occasionally armed boyscouts.So what's the suprise?

I see one of the above posts said that fighting alongside (actually he said behind) US soldiers is the safest job in the World.

Do you not realise that the British Army had more men killed by Americans than by Iraqis in Desert Storm.

That's rich, I remember a contingent of Germans coming to our base in Alaska for a military exercise and calling a bunch of airmen fat. I see the tables have turned and fed them well.

When I was in the military they fed a diet that was loaded with refined carbohydrates. Because it is cheap. Put your money where your mouth is and change the menu plans to reflect the true diet of human beings.

...but it tastes so good.

We (America) should get out of Germany, close all US bases. The German army needs to ramp up a powerful army that can help defend Europe. It's a different world today and the threats are not German. Turn "American Idol" off long enough to get a good look at the real bad boys that that the free world and America in particular should be worried about.

Don't tell the French the Germans are too fat to fight they may decide to march on Berlin.

Thank God! The world needs fat, lazy German soldiers above all.

What do you expect?! Germany has gone the way of Holland...

Frederick the Great had a simple solution to fat German soldaten who didn't engage in physical activities. He invented the Parade Marsch, also known as the Goosestep. The Goosestep is very difficult to perform and burns up a huge number of calories. You can't smoke and Goosestep. See any fat Germans Goosetep in the old newsreels? Sadly, of course in a poltically correct, feminized Europe this is impossible. Today's Germans rather eat Gooseliver than Goosestep.

It's time for US troops to leave Europe. It's none of our business who runs the place. Let's leave them alone and just deal with the consequences.

The US Army is the real German Military, that goes true for Canada and most of the minor Euro countries.

God Bless The USA

why would the german soldiers ever feel the need to stay fit? they know they will never actually face serious combat. they have the safest jobs in the world - they get to hide behind american soldiers.

We know that we will never be deployed so why worry about being in top condition? Germany is no longer a warrior nation. The army is just a job program for kids that did not make it to university.

Doesn't matter how fat you are as long as you can still operate a remote control. Future wars will be faught with robots! Only "poor" countries will use humans. And the humans lose every time. Eventualy there will be no people, so eat drink and be merry.

Vydra, don't watch Soccer eh?. We fight Germany all the time.

Germans are smart. They use their economy to improve their country. They don't go overboard and over militarize.

USA uses it's economy to provide for an overwhelming military that supports Israel instead of the USA

Surely the Wehrmacht -- errr, Bundeswehr -- can find some old training materials and films that can encourage physical fitness?

Almost every post here demonstrates why we have the nickname "Ugly American". There is no way to compare the Wehrmacht of the 30's and 40's to the current Bundeswehr. The only thing they have in common is they are German. A very large part of the American population are also of German descent. News flash, Hitler is dead. Germany is way too liberal for another Hitler-type dictator to emerge. It amazes me that most of you dont have a clue what your talking about. You are just showing your ignorance and narrowmindedness by these idiotic posts. I've spent over 6 years total in Germany for the past 15 years while serving in the US Army. The German soldiers I have met seem to be well disciplined and professional. I certainly understand why they dont want to appear too gung-ho, then all the idiots come out of the woodwork calling them Nazis. Keep in mind the role of the Bundeswehr is much different than our military. Their presence is more in the peace-keeping role much like the National Guard. Having a better German military in the post Cold War era makes all of us safer. Nazi Germany is long dead, keep it buried where it belongs.

our police force here in america is worse than that...just watch cops...most are pretty darn tubby!

I'm in a good position to comment, since I'm in the military and worked with the Bundeswehr in the past. The Germans I saw where mainly conscripts, and were not fat. They where no larger than the US military personnel in Germany. Sure you'd see your heavier NCO's, but same goes for any military. The fattest military members I've seen while assigned to NATO where Moldovans. They where all fat! I have 7 years expereince speaking, and 3 of which where in Deutschland. Tchuess

I'm not surprised at all to hear that German soldiers are out of shap. I would assume that, other than the troops from the UK, most European soldiers would have no need to be fit. After all Europe has become totally dependent on the U.S. millitary to take care issues that would require actual soldiering.

"Overweight soldiers are also a problem for the American military. The combat arms units are generally fit but the support troops, Reserves, etc. have quite a few semi-soldiers that are bursting the seams of their uniforms."

Soldaten,

We're only allowed about 20% body fat before it shows up on your report/evaluations(body fat % is actually the more accurate guage of fitness). You'll eventually be run out of the Army with anything higher (unless you're a girl of course). If they're bursting at the seams, they're either not long for this Army or their clothes are too small. That happens, guys get bigger after they join and hit the weights and supplements so they can hump it faster and heavier. I know I did.

Hogaaaaaaan!

Well,it's not like they have much to do,is it?

Thats too bad....ashame. Once a very educated, disciplined, highly trained and most effective military. BUT, liberal socialism....ya gotta love it. As far as I am concerned, they paid their debt to the US..let them just...wither away.

Yeah, that smoking number looks out of this world.

70%?!

Just a ballpark number, but I'd say 10% of my company AT MOST smokes.

Our new national motto should be: "You should see the other guy!"

Just because you're "overweight", doesn't mean you're "fat", at least not in the US.

I'm in the US Army and I'M overweight (6'1" and 220 lbs with 34" waist); it doesn't mean a thing.

Perhaps this is part of German propaganda to make everyone think how incapable their military is. Or perhaps, the info is blown way of proportion in order to justify stricter guidelines for soldiers, which in turn will increase the readiness of the German military. Just throwing some food for thought out there...

All you folks talking about their diets, etc as being the cause for this.....you are wrong!

They are like this because we have 130000 troops stationed there. They could easily come back if we left. However, they are now an economic power out of all Europe....

Germans are still smarter than the rest of us, and they still have the know-how (remember where we got half our technology...rockets, etc). Lets just hope things dont change. With the current anti-nationalism, we are okay. If this changes, we could all be in trouble, and we all know it!

Maybe they had the same political correctness madness inflicted upon them as the US? You want a woman to hump your ammo? They are allowed about twice the body fat as men. War should be absolutely hell on military and civilians alike, otherwise it is to tempting to start one. W.T Sherman (sort of)

they better take a look at the in shape Russkies just itching to kick theit fat asses!!

Talk about irony..... The German military was for so many years considered the best in the world....and it took the whole world to knock them down....two times, nonetheless!

All I can say is wow!

The comment about how well equiped and what great soldiers the Germans were in the 40's is way off the mark. Mark? The German Army was so ill equiped that they used horses to move their artillery on both fronts and their tanks were overwhemled by the tanks made by those Soviet murderers. The German army used rifles long obsolete and no match for the Garand in the west. It was a fallacy that the Wermacht was invincible as we all now know. Should I go on to the Luftwaffe and their vitrual disapearance after 43 in the skies of Western Europe? Early on they were dominant, but by the time of the Invasion it was over. The professionals in the German Military knew the war was lost when they were stopped in Russia. Need to read more?

Perhaps the reason Germany decided not to take part in Iraq was that they didn't think their soldiers could handle it.

How about we, the U.S., challenge Germany's military against our military in football and baseball competitions. That would certainly get them in shape, plus they would then be entitled to bragging rights.

Totally wrong - there was no serious data collection in the GER Armed Forces. For sure, a lot of soldiers smoke - any difference to the UK or US? - But 70% is nonsense. And to focus on the majority of "fat" soldiers (haven't seen them in the Recce or Infantry) is very clever, so there won't be a serious discussion about the grievances in the armed forces, after the financing shortfall since 1989!

It is an amazing that this is the case. For the longest time (and most especially during the 30's and 40's) the German soldiers were the creme de la creme of militarys world wide: Fit, exceedingly well-trained, disciplined and well-equipped.

Throughout the Cold War, the West Germans continued this trait. Strange that they have become so blase and apathetic about something like that.

Apparantly the discipline that was instilled into the German solder in the last century has melted away. Too bad the weight they have gained doesn't come off that easily.

The European soldier has been "PUSSIFIED"!

With the chinese hords ratcheting up, we need all the help we can get. Start rearming Germany - we need the help!

The fitness of the German troops is of no consequence to the security of Germany.

If Germany was serious about a fighting force, there would be a difference. When the army is merely there to fulfill NATO commitments, what do you expect? The whole notion of NATO is a joke as the US basically strong arm member countries, which in turn leads to lack of military pride. Obviously if German were in a position to be srious...look out. As the world's greatest exporter of products, it is not too far out there to see them rise again to World Domination in other areas too. Is it?

Listen up maggots! The world is changing unfavorably with respect to attitudes toward this country. I just read an article about China's military and it's upgrades and our country seems to be in it's sights! We need all the help we can get and the sooner Germany rearms the better! We can't go it alone any more and England and Canada don't have the numbers to matter in a worldwide conflict>

I guess they won't win the next World War in that kind of shape, ...c'mon Lads! get with the program!

And this is a suprise? These soldiers are neve going to be sent to fight, so what do they need to train for. just another story in the continuing decline of Europe. Fat soldiers!

Ofcourse they smoke. They come out of the womb and are handed a zippo and a pack of fags. Next to complaining eating is there favorite hobby.

But don't forget Goering.

Its funny since Germans see the US as being the fat and lazy country. As opposed to being concerned about a military consisting very much of mandatory enrollment...be concerned about how Europe views the US. To sum it up: Fat, lazy, violent, and stupid......check your reality.

One of my friends started smoking during boot camp. I asked him why he started smoking then and he told me that between training you get a 5 minute break, and there really isn't anything else to do during the break than to smoke. So recruits get into the habit of smoking during breaks.

The German Army is probably of a similar culture. It's a cultural change that needs to take place within the armies of several countries.

There's no way that 70% of the soldiers smoke. That's impossible.

Yes, the German soldiers are overweight - but you forgot to mention one fact about the German population. Their diet: bratwurst and beer at lunch, on duty do not help their situation.

Keep them fat and lazy so that tyhey don't get any ideas about starting another world war. Just keep out of the way the Yanks are on guard.

They are all conscripts in the Army against their will. They have a choice of that or community service which could include wiping elderly ass, or driving a short bus. They should be happy to have a 60% fit army under such conditions. Nothing compares to America's all volunteer Army (I'm biased on that point)

I hate Illinois Nazis.

SCHULTZ!!!

hmm..i bet there was this mass switcharoo during WWII; German pow's and the victorious Allied soldiers.

Ja . . .und dots der truth! Vasn't dot vay ven I vas der fuhrer! Nein! Ja! Und dot's der truth! So, hi ho, hi ho, it's off to France vee go . .Heil Me! Heil Me!

The time to invade is NOW!!!

It's just getting harder and harder for France to surrender.

As much as everyone despises the Hitler regime, he at least gave the German army something worth fighting for, namely more living space in the East. Frankly, I don't blame them for being out of shape. I wouldn't bust my ass for any "international" coalition either.

A countries army reflects its society in general. German society has come to depend on long vacations, generious welfare and retirement plans and a society that focuses less on traditional values of work and dedication and more on ease and entitlements. The german army has become the same way. Fat, bloated and slow. A shadow of what it was during the cold war. Germany of today is not the Germany of the past. They have a dismal fighting record in Afganistan and very low moral along with a public that does not support them. Hard as Krupp Steel indeed.

Why don't all of you idiots get over this Nazi stuff. I knew when I first started to read this article that the first person to respond would say something about Nazis. How original. If any of you fools would actually go and visit Germany, you'll find a very alive and tolerant place. You'll find more Nazis in Texas than you will in Germany. Fools! Also, why don't you get over this "we beat you in the war" crap. None of you idiots ever beat anybody! Don't take credit for something your granddaddy did, you cowards! Why don't you stop living sixty-three years in the past! I bet none of you lilly white cowards would have the guts to criticize the Japanese. No, it's much safer and more politically correct to go after the evil white Germans. Anything to get your white guilt points for the day. Be a good little whitey! I lived in Heidelberg Germany for three years, and dealt many times with members of the German military, and I found them all to be very professional. But, personal experience doesn't count I guess when you have filthy Hollywood lies and video game stereotypes to go by.

Much as I don't like the idea of America defending Europe - just remember what happened last time the German army got it's act together.

Is this really that much of a surprise? Everyone these days is out of shape.

By the way Jack, great article.

http://blog.bizzflip.com/bizzflipcom/2007/11/work-diet.html

Back during my time in Germany (USAF) I observed there were plenty of Germans left to defend their part of Europe. We should have gotten out of NATO years ago.

But that's a good thing right? After all, bad things usually happen when Germany has a powerful military. :)

They should learn about the Corporate Diet:

http://blog.bizzflip.com/bizzflipcom/2007/11/work-diet.html

U.S. troops are fat to when I was in. Outside of infantry and combat arms the pogues were civilians in camoflauge or welfare in uniform. Especially the females. They were a joke.

As long as they stay fat and out of shape they wont start yet another world war.

How is this "news"? Conscripts aren't keen on being hard charging soldiers? I'm shocked, just *shocked*.

Who could have possibly seen this coming? Oh right, anyone.

When you have the American military to protect your behinds?

True, they're not the same force that conquered much of Europe during World War II, but they also don't have the blind allegiance to a madman bent on ethnic cleansing. As for the Germans starting World War III, I think you're looking a little too far to the west for that. These terrorists that can't stand America's way of life, can't stand Germany's either. Or Britain's, France's, etc. To them, it's all the same; to them, we are all infidels and must b