The U.S. Army Is Having A Fitness Crisis

U.S. Army Pfc. Micah Rousseau performs the linear back press to strengthen his thighs at the Air Cavalry Gymnasium on Camp Taji, Iraq, Nov. 24, 2009. Rousseau is a tanker assigned to the 1st Calvary Division's Company D, 2nd Battlalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Bridage Combat Team. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Bailey Jester. (Wikimedia)

Popular Mechanics: Why the Army Is Having a Fitness Crisis

Many Americans aren't fit enough to serve, and those who do make the cut are struggling

The Army is worried that America is getting too out of shape to fight.

The lack of fitness in America's youth has been a problem for the military for years. According to a recent study by the Heritage foundation, more than 70 percent of Americans between the ages of 17 and 24 are ineligible to serve for some reason — and for many, it comes down to their physical fitness level.

For those who do make the cut, poor fitness can quickly lead to injuries during training — particularly among recruits from the Southern U.S., one of the most fertile recruiting grounds for the military. To fix this, the army wants to "fundamentally change the culture of fitness in the military," according to a new report by the Fayettville Observer.

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WNU Editor: These numbers always surprise me .... more than 70 percent of Americans between the ages of 17 and 24 are ineligible to serve for some reason.