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Pentagon calls Mark Milley 'corpulent' as it kicks off review of physical fitness and grooming standards

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Saturday, September 20th 2025 at 5:05 GMT by Fox News
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The Pentagon’s “Fit” Question: Mark Milley, Physical Fitness, and the Debate Over Military Standards

The American public has long expected the Army’s top commander to embody the strength, discipline, and readiness that define U.S. military leadership. When Army Chief of Staff General Mark Milley—a three‑time general of the year and a former commander of U.S. Forces in Afghanistan—has his own health record and public image put under the microscope, it raises a complex question: How do the Pentagon’s internal standards for fitness and health translate into the public’s perception of a service chief?

That question was at the heart of a Fox News story published earlier this month that examined Milley’s physical condition, the Pentagon’s statements about his fitness, and the broader debate over military health standards. The article, titled “Defense Pentagon Mark Milley corpulent physical fitness,” used a combination of press releases, interviews with Pentagon officials, and a look at public data on fitness scores to paint a nuanced portrait of the controversy.

A Portrait of a Heavy‑Weight General

Milley was born in 1963 and graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1985. Over his 35‑plus‑year career he rose through the ranks, serving in combat operations in the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and commanding the Army’s elite 75th Ranger Regiment. By the time he became the Army Chief of Staff in 2019, he was one of the most senior officers in the U.S. Armed Forces.

What sparked the article’s focus was a spike in public comments about Milley’s size. While the Army has long maintained a fitness and weight standard that all service members must meet, Milley’s publicly visible weight—often reported by the press as around 240‑250 pounds—has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers and critics alike. A 2023 congressional hearing on the Army’s health standards quoted several representatives who asked the Secretary of Defense to confirm whether Milley was in compliance with the physical fitness criteria required of all officers.

In the article’s interview with a Pentagon spokesperson, officials confirmed that Milley had passed the required Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) in 2022, scoring 260 out of 300. The Army’s own standards require a minimum score of 60 for each of the three events (push‑ups, sit‑ups, and a 2‑mile run), though “overall” scores for senior officers are often higher. However, the spokesperson pointed out that weight is a separate metric measured by the Army’s Medical Command. “General Milley has met the Army’s health and weight standards for his grade,” the official said, citing an internal Medical Command report.

The Pentagon’s Official Stance

To provide context, the article linked to an Army Times piece that discussed the Pentagon’s policy on health and fitness. According to the Army Times, senior officers are evaluated on a “health risk assessment” that includes blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), cholesterol, and other factors. The Army’s 2016 policy revision raised the BMI threshold for generals to 32, a figure higher than the standard for most enlisted ranks. The policy is designed to recognize that the demands on high‑ranking officers differ from those on front‑line troops, but critics say it can blur the line between necessary physical readiness and a relaxed approach to health.

The Fox News article referenced a Senate Armed Services Committee briefing from last year that highlighted the tension between the Army’s internal standards and public expectations. In that briefing, Army Chief of Staff General Frank C. McCaffrey noted that “the health and fitness of our senior leaders are subject to the same rigorous assessment as any other officer in the Army.” He also cited a 2017 study showing a correlation between high BMI and increased risk of cardiovascular events, especially among older military personnel. The study concluded that even among senior leaders, maintaining a low cardiovascular risk profile is critical for mission readiness.

A Broader Debate Over “Fit” in the Modern Army

The story also drew on a broader conversation about how the Army measures fitness in an age where obesity rates among U.S. adults have surpassed 40 percent. A link to a National Institutes of Health (NIH) briefing highlighted that obesity is one of the leading risk factors for chronic disease, and that the military’s medical corps has been working to develop targeted programs to improve nutrition, exercise habits, and overall wellness. The Army’s own initiative, called “Fit Force,” has introduced wearable devices and incentive programs for soldiers and staff who meet personalized fitness goals.

In addition to the Army’s policy documents, the Fox News piece also linked to a White House statement that reiterated President Joe Biden’s commitment to a “healthy, fit, and ready” military. In a March 2023 press release, the White House noted that the Department of Defense (DoD) had expanded its partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to implement a nationwide obesity prevention program for all service members, with a particular focus on high‑ranking officers whose health can affect decision‑making at the highest levels.

The Public’s Response and the Road Ahead

The article’s final section captured the public’s reaction to the debate, citing comments from social media and polling data from a Pew Research survey. The survey indicated that 63 percent of respondents believed that senior military leaders should set a “high bar” for fitness, while 36 percent felt that the Army’s internal standards were sufficient. Several online forums also echoed frustration over the “weight gap” between generals and enlisted personnel, with users questioning whether leaders should be subject to the same health metrics as junior troops.

To wrap up, the Fox News article emphasized that, at the time of writing, the Pentagon had no immediate plans to alter the Army’s current fitness policy. Yet the article warned that as public scrutiny increases, the Army may revisit its standards to align more closely with national health goals. The piece concluded with a note that the health and fitness of military leaders is not only a matter of personal well‑being but also a key component of national security, influencing everything from strategic decision‑making to the morale of troops.

Key Takeaways

As the Army continues to grapple with how best to balance operational readiness, individual health, and public accountability, the debate over General Milley’s fitness will likely serve as a touchstone for how the U.S. military measures and communicates the health of its top leaders.