A SHOCK tactics poster in barracks warns tubby troops: “Don’t Gobble til you Wobble.”
The advert headlined “Obesity” asked soldiers if they could see their belt and encouraged them to consider the ‘Couch to 5k’ programme if they were unfit.
It asked “Want to feel sexy?” — between a snap of an overweight man and another in good condition.
The poster displayed on a wall inside the Royal Signals Regiment Army HQ in Blandford Forum, Dorset, also urged troops at risk of obesity to see a physical training instructor.
A photo of the poster, with its Don’t Gobble . . . motif, was shared on a website used by current and ex-service personnel.
One soldier wrote: “This is a pretty dire statement about the current condition of our Army.”
Another military source said: “It’s ridiculous they have had to put this up — especially at the Signals barracks, who are a combat support arm.
“Their troops should be among the fittest in the Army.
“Although they are in charge of communications and information they have to be battle-ready. It’s very worrying.”
Ministry of Defence figures show between January 2023 and March 2024, 43,016 military personnel were classed as “at risk” as they were overweight.
The total strength of the armed forces is about 148,000.
Former infantry commander Colonel Richard Kemp said: “The question is how have members of the armed forces been allowed to become so badly overweight?
“You cannot join the armed forces if you are overweight.
“This represents a failure of leadership at many levels.”
The MoD said: “Military personnel are at significantly lower risk of being overweight than the general population.
“Where serving personnel experience issues related to their weight, dietary support is provided.”
