LCpl with a large problem

[em2style]

Here is my dilemma. The shop i work in has no NCO's currently. It comprises of SNCO's, Officers, 2 LCpl's (including me), and 2 PFC's. With that said, one of my PFC's is completely messed up. He is over his weight limit by a significant amount, does not maintain hygeine, and will not control his diet. Recently we had a service bravo inspection to which he informed myself and the other LCpl i work with that his uniforms were ready. We trusted his word for a change, and sure enough his ribbons were not measured when put on, his uniform was wrinkled beyond anything i have ever seen, his trousers dragged on the floor because his gut hangs to far out, his buttons were screaming, and he did not have his coreframes. We (LCpl's) realize that we failed this Marine by taking his word when we should have known better and it was a lesson learned. My question i have is how can I as a LCpl correct this Marine. I am trying to avoid taking anything more to our SNCO's as the result is extra shop PT, extra cleaning, coming in on weekends to do both, more inspections, ect. Its just a hassle to be driving back and forth all the time for these extra events. Im not complaining about it at all, as i enjoy the pt, its just annoying to lose the personal time. Being that i am the only LCpl that lives in the Barracks, i want to help correct this Marine and make him better. His weight problem isnt something that can be solved easily, he is more than 60lbs overweight. How should i confront these problems. I am planning on taking him out this weekend to buy new uniforms that actually fit him and having them altered. we will also be having an "on the rack" gear inspection to ensure he is not missing anything. Does anyone else have any other suggestions that can help me? I appreciate any comments and ideas. And so everyone is aware, we do PT him 5 days a week, 2-3 times a day. this includes running, eliptical, treadmill, and low weight high rep lifting.

[kenny10]

Make his life a living hell and I know its going to screw up your life and it does. I had the same problem with a Marine when I was in Okinawa. My entire day was dedicated to this PFC getting pt, eating healthy and losing some weight, field daying his room right etc. It was not fun but we got him back on track and I hope he has become a better Marine. I think I got through to him. You do what you gotta do

[CplVelociraptor]

LCpl,

It's good to hear you're looking out for your peer rather than bashing him, and from what you've said here, you are only helping him at this point. The best thing you can do is continue to do what you're doing, because as a lance corporal, you do have authority over a private, but you are still his peer. You must maintain a senior relationship to him tactfully, and with consideration to the fact that you are walking afine line between a helping hand and an asshole.

If this Marine is truly 60 lbs overweight, though, I'm not sure how you ever got him in the first place, but understand that you're going to have to take it slow. He should be losing weight steadily if he is training this often, but you have to be careful with things like this. Make sure you know what you're doing, and more importantly than anything, make sure he is getting proper nutrition. You shouldn't be feeding him hard-boiled egg sandwiches and gallons of whey protein. His goal should be pure fat loss, and not muscle increase. I'd highly recommend you read the Semper Fit MCI courses, and take the test while you're at it for your own well being.

More importantly, in the months ahead, do not get discouraged when this Marine shows signs of weakness and wants to stop. It will happen. 60 lbs of weight loss is a very long road. More than likely this Marine, if he is this bad, WILL unavoidably be put on some sort of program. Stand by him for this, help him accomplish his goals, and never allow him to stop working at it.

Once again, I commend you greatly for taking charge of a situation and doing the best you can with what you've been given. Way to look out for your fellow Marine. You will undoubtedly make a good NCO someday.

[NRTrackChamp2004]

My first question to you is, does this Marine even want the help to lose weight and improve his hygiene? Because if he doesnt even want to change and lose weight, no one else can make him, so there's no point in wasting your time. If he does really wanna change, then it looks like you'll be giving up some of your personal time to help him, which wont necessarily be a bad thing, but I'm sure it could get aggravating. Just make sure to be tough and be fair with him. Looks like you have good intentions, and just continue to do what you know is right.

[Michaep]

"we do PT him 5 days a week, 2-3 times a day"

....do you understand the concept of recovery time? What about rushing into an intense workout program with someone whos really overweight?

An exercise related injury is in the near future

Perhaps you need to refer this individual to see the Mental Health clinic if he has been going downhill like this for a while. Theres obviously something more going on when he acts the way he's currently acting. You pushing someone like this whos already going downhill by making him give up his free time and babysitting him by making him go shopping with you and making him show you his room and gear...etc..

While I do understand that you may be justified in helping him and as higher ranking than he is, you really dont want to be the cause of his suicide

Refer the poor guy to the hospital to see if theres something more going on with him, something pushed him over the edge for him to completely stop caring about weight and being clean and disgusting uniforms

[Copecwby20]

Have a "man to man" with him at first. Sit him down and have the talk with him that goes something along the lines of "These are the problems, these are the corrective steps we need to take to help you resolve your deficincies, and these are the consequences for not achieving the desired results" Break it down on paper if you have to. Pull him aside and let him know that while he is not within standards now, he does have available resources to help him improve himself. Let him know that you are willing to provide any assistance you can while trying to handle things at the lowest level possible. Granted if he tells you to fuck off and ignores you, at that point your only option is either bringing the issue up the chain or step up your "asshole" meter. The type of leadership you employ is up to you, but pick one that you feel will bring about the best results.

[CplH5811]

Originally Posted by Michaep

"we do PT him 5 days a week, 2-3 times a day"

....do you understand the concept of recovery time? What about rushing into an intense workout program with someone whos really overweight?

An exercise related injury is in the near future

Perhaps you need to refer this individual to see the Mental Health clinic if he has been going downhill like this for a while. Theres obviously something more going on when he acts the way he's currently acting. You pushing someone like this whos already going downhill by making him give up his free time and babysitting him by making him go shopping with you and making him show you his room and gear...etc..

While I do understand that you may be justified in helping him and as higher ranking than he is, you really dont want to be the cause of his suicide

Refer the poor guy to the hospital to see if theres something more going on with him, something pushed him over the edge for him to completely stop caring about weight and being clean and disgusting uniforms

Should he give this Marine a hug too?

Some people are just nasty and lazy, that's all. It doesn't always associate to their personal appearance. How many times have you dealt with a situation like this? Probably never. There are only two ways to deal with Marines like this: Motivate them (either through positive or mandatory motivation) or just give up on them. Personally, I have only given up on one Marine, ever. And that was because I saw that he didn't care enough about himself to do anything to change it. If he didn't care enough, why would he listen to me. Also, I am sure that he was mentally handicapped. Other than that, I have taken part in turning around many Marines that others thought were hopeless.

Now, take your butt rubbing, hippy loving, no true intelligence having, ideas away. Because I am sure that there is no merit in it.

As for the motivated LCpl, there are many routes that you can take with this individual. There not as easy when you're a Lance but, it is still possible. Sometimes though, you just have to babysit. Best of luck to you and don't give up unless you feel you have to.

[Michaep]

Originally Posted by CplH5811

Should he give this Marine a hug too?

Some people are just nasty and lazy, that's all. It doesn't always associate to their personal appearance. How many times have you dealt with a situation like this? Probably never. There are only two ways to deal with Marines like this: Motivate them (either through positive or mandatory motivation) or just give up on them. Personally, I have only given up on one Marine, ever. And that was because I saw that he didn't care enough about himself to do anything to change it. If he didn't care enough, why would he listen to me. Also, I am sure that he was mentally handicapped. Other than that, I have taken part in turning around many Marines that others thought were hopeless.

Now, take your butt rubbing, hippy loving, no true intelligence having, ideas away. Because I am sure that there is no merit in it.

As for the motivated LCpl, there are many routes that you can take with this individual. There not as easy when you're a Lance but, it is still possible. Sometimes though, you just have to babysit. Best of luck to you and don't give up unless you feel you have to.

lol wow....I hope you never get in any position of leadership with that type of attitude

No wonder why theres so many Army and Marine suicides...you people cant see the "warning signs of suicide" if they bite you in the @$$

This isnt the 1950's Marine Corps where its black and white solution of Yell, or Yell More

These are real human beings youre dealing with, you realize that right?

Ever heard of Morale and Welfare of your troops? There IS life outside the Corps you know. Perhaps he's having problems at home? Think of WHY he's acting the way he is

As tight knit as Marines claim to be, you sure arent showing it with this behavior

[Michaep]

p.s. lol your sad behavior reminds me of a mix between R Lee Ermey and Clint Eastwood in the 1950's...

Are you going to be the type of father who never kisses his children either because that isnt a "man" thing to do?

[Silver Fox]

I'm tempted to say your SNCOs are failing all of you by not being more involved in this situation. From their methods of dealing with it almost seems like they're trying to instigate a blanket party.