Why Is Coast Guard's Lack Of Mandatory Physical Fitness

1. The Coast Guard’s lack of mandatory physical fitness is one factor among many that affect the overall health of our ratings Coast Guard wide. For example, one result is weight probation which could hold back or not allow advancement, ultimately leaving billet gaps or shortages and limiting the individual’s service wide examination competitiveness. Coast Guard members must conduct mandatory daily physical fitness, in order to maintain professionalism as well as continue on the path towards advancement.

2. Physical fitness must implement as part of our daily work schedule. Whether it is in the beginning of the day, at lunch or towards the end, physical fitness must be done. In order to advance it is required that we maintain weight standards throughout the course of our careers. As per reference (a) prior to advancing it is required to “weigh-in”. The Coast Guard advances people for the fact that there are billet vacancies to be filled. If the billet cannot be filled because of a non-compliant member, then it creates gaps and gaps
The Commandant authorizes time during the work day in order for us to maintain these standards. However, that is not enough. We still have members that are non compliant. There are many other factors as to why someone may or may not be on the weight program but not only does mandatory physical fitness help us contribute to improving how many members we have on the program but it also helps improve healthy brain function. A study done by Harvard University has shown that regular exercise not only improves memory but thinking skills as well; which makes us more alert, activating our brains for function, thought and clarity. This increases the overall service. If we have all our members conducting physical fitness it could decrease the amount of potential mishaps we have throughout the Coast Guard. Clearer, sharper minds at work will increase a member’s overall abilities to function in high stress environments safely and