In October 2010, James Sanborn published “Weight Loss at Any Cost” for Marine Corps Times. James Sanborn wrote the article because Marines are hesitant of violating the authoritarian weight policy, appearance standards, and do not want to have to be put in the program called body composition platoon (BCP). He wrote the article to give us the truth behind what Marines actually do in order to lose weight such as starving themselves, taking laxatives and undergoing liposuction surgery even though none of that is necessary. The author wrote this article to inform the Marines that they do not have to take extreme measures in order to lose weight, and not all of the Marines are made the same; some will be bigger than others. Weight loss at any cost
…show more content…
By telling us that in a study conducted by two Marine officers, more than 70 percent of the 390 marines(Sanborn 1043) are the one who take the extreme weight loss measures. He grabs our attention by proving that 70 percent of those marines are the ones who are willing to starve themselves for days take pills, and undergo surgery so they can lose the weight. More than half of the Marines are harming their bodies just so they do not have to put their careers at risk. He also mentions how Dr. Robert Peterson have operated on many service members, and how Peterson has some who are usually fit and ask for liposuction. Dr. Peterson said, “When we see them, they are usually fit. They just have a spare tire” (Sanborn 1047). Peterson is willing to give them a $500 discount for a $5,000 or more procedure. James Sanborn proves that even doctors such as Peterson know that it is wrong, they know that the procedure is not even needed. Peterson is willing to help Marines because he knows they do not need the procedure, but at the same time he knows they do need it in order to feel at peace, and so they know they will be able to go back, get measure and be able to keep their jobs. Service members are being judged because they miss the requirments, but if that's the price they have to pay it is worth it, taking pills or …show more content…
Plenzler said, “We marines have historically held ourselves to high standards in both fitness and appearance” (Sanborn 1044). The author includes this so Marines can see that other Marines know that they have to stay fit and in shape, they know that they have certain standards that they have to meet; they shouldn’t even allow themselves to get to the point where they have to go through the process to lose all the weight. Sergeant Matter Torres said, “I'd much rather have a guy who has a little meat on his bones that can pick somebody up in a firefight, than somebody who is supermodel skinny and can't pick a pack off the ground” (Sanborn 1047). This is something that those who are in charge of the weight policy should understand that not all bodies are made to be skinny. When we think of a Marine we of someone who is tough and strong, not someone who is skinny and weak. Yes we want all of our Marines to be fit and in shape, but we also want them to be healthy. Sanborn knows that the officers should understand what it's like to have to stay in shape, they shouldn't be so strict. Conways Spokesman said, “It is the responsibility of every leader in the chain of command to coach and mentor their subordinates and hold them accountable when they fail to meet standards” (Sanborn 1049). If a leader is reading this article, James knows that this will
By telling us that in a study conducted by two Marine officers, more than 70 percent of the 390 marines(Sanborn 1043) are the one who take the extreme weight loss measures. He grabs our attention by proving that 70 percent of those marines are the ones who are willing to starve themselves for days take pills, and undergo surgery so they can lose the weight. More than half of the Marines are harming their bodies just so they do not have to put their careers at risk. He also mentions how Dr. Robert Peterson have operated on many service members, and how Peterson has some who are usually fit and ask for liposuction. Dr. Peterson said, “When we see them, they are usually fit. They just have a spare tire” (Sanborn 1047). Peterson is willing to give them a $500 discount for a $5,000 or more procedure. James Sanborn proves that even doctors such as Peterson know that it is wrong, they know that the procedure is not even needed. Peterson is willing to help Marines because he knows they do not need the procedure, but at the same time he knows they do need it in order to feel at peace, and so they know they will be able to go back, get measure and be able to keep their jobs. Service members are being judged because they miss the requirments, but if that's the price they have to pay it is worth it, taking pills or …show more content…
Plenzler said, “We marines have historically held ourselves to high standards in both fitness and appearance” (Sanborn 1044). The author includes this so Marines can see that other Marines know that they have to stay fit and in shape, they know that they have certain standards that they have to meet; they shouldn’t even allow themselves to get to the point where they have to go through the process to lose all the weight. Sergeant Matter Torres said, “I'd much rather have a guy who has a little meat on his bones that can pick somebody up in a firefight, than somebody who is supermodel skinny and can't pick a pack off the ground” (Sanborn 1047). This is something that those who are in charge of the weight policy should understand that not all bodies are made to be skinny. When we think of a Marine we of someone who is tough and strong, not someone who is skinny and weak. Yes we want all of our Marines to be fit and in shape, but we also want them to be healthy. Sanborn knows that the officers should understand what it's like to have to stay in shape, they shouldn't be so strict. Conways Spokesman said, “It is the responsibility of every leader in the chain of command to coach and mentor their subordinates and hold them accountable when they fail to meet standards” (Sanborn 1049). If a leader is reading this article, James knows that this will