Chris Christie orders New Jersey National Guard leader to lose weight
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has ordered the state’s National Guard leader to slim down some, and he's only giving the general 90 days to do it.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has ordered the state's National Guard leader to slim down some, and he's only giving the general 90 days to do it.
Christie, whose weight problems have been highly publicized, recently issued his order to Air Force Brig. Gen. Michael L. Cunniff, saying that he has just three months to meet U.S. military fitness requirements. The order comes following news that the Pentagon reprimanded Cunniff last year over his weight, as well as for missing required physical fitness testing.
The Washington Post first broke the story, with a Christie staffer telling the paper that the governor was not aware of the warning Cunniff had received. Spokesperson Kevin Roberts then addressed the issue, saying that Christie learned of the situation last week and subsequently issued his order.
"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," a statement from Roberts reads. "The Governor has directed General Cunniff to meet his obligations in the next 90 days."
It is currently unclear how much weight the general will be expected to lose, but his most recent fitness test from November 2013 indicates a waist measurement of 43.5 inches, according to the AP. The maximum waist size allowed stands at 39 inches.
Cunniff has since also released a statement wherein he addresses his weight and physical fitness issues, saying that he is "taking necessary steps to remedy this issue."
"Many people struggle with weight control — I am not immune from this. Just as I afford every opportunity to each Soldier and Airmen to meet these standards, so will I," Cunniff said. "I take this matter seriously and am taking the necessary steps to remedy this issue by being involved in a rigorous physical fitness program and have sought the assistance of a nutritionist."
Christie, for his part, underwent lap-band surgery in 2013 in the interest of weight loss. In November 2014, a doctor estimated that Christie lost roughly 100 pounds as a result of the surgery.