September 22, 2015
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who also serves as commander in chief of the state's National Guard, has told a general in the Guard that he must lose weight, the Washington Post reports.
Air Force Brig. Gen. Michael Cunniff has reportedly failed to meet physical fitness standards, a serious infraction in the military that can result in dismissal.
Under Air Force rules, Cunniff was required to take the test annually. He told the inspector general that he knew he could not meet the requirements when he took charge of the Guard in December 2011, so he kept putting it off.
“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,” Christie spokesman Kevin Roberts said in an emailed statement.
Christie has given Cunniff 90 days to slim down and “meet his obligations.”
“Many people struggle with weight control — I am not immune from this,” Cunniff said in a statement released by the Guard. “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.”
Christie underwent weight-loss surgery in 2013.
Read more from the Washington Post here.
