Governor Chris Christie (R) of New Jersey has ordered the top national guard leader to lose weight – or else!
Known for his own problem with weight control, Christie has given Air Force Brigadier General Michael Cunniff 90 days to “meet his obligations” regarding his weight.
The Associated Press reported that the action came after the Washington Post obtained records under the Freedom of Information act showing that Cunniff “had been reprimanded by the Pentagon about his weight and for repeatedly dodging physical-fitness tests.”
Christie spokesman Kevin Roberts said in an e-mailed statement that
The Governor has expressed directly to the General that his failure to meet that standard or to provide notification of his formal reprimand is both unacceptable and disappointing.
Cunniff declined an interview request from the Washington Post, but in a statement released by the Guard, he acknowledged that he had not met the Air Force’s fitness requirements in recent years.
Many people struggle with weight control — I am not immune from this. However, I do recognize that military members and leaders, like myself, are held to a higher standard. I take this matter seriously and am taking the necessary steps to remedy this issue.
Associated Press reports that: “It was not clear how much weight the general must lose. Cunniff took a fitness test in November 2013, his first in more than three years. He flunked when his waist size was measured at 43.5 inches – 4.5 inches larger than what was allowed.”
Christie, who once called himself “the healthiest fat guy you’ve ever seen,” secretly underwent weight-loss surgery in 2013. A band was surgically placed around his stomach to restrict how much food he could eat.
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