The New Jersey Air National Guard general ordered by Gov.ernor Chris Christie to slim down has made significant progress toward achieving his weight loss goals, the Guard said Tuesday.
Brig. Gen. Michael Cunniff, the 108th Wing commander for the New Jersey Air National Guard at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, in September was ordered by Christie to meet his physical fitness obligations and given a 90-day deadline to do so. The Washington Post reported at the time that Christie was unaware the Pentagon had reprimanded Cunniff "for his excessive waistline and for repeatedly ducking physical-fitness tests."
Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Patrick Daugherty, a spokesman for the New Jersey National Guard, said Cunniff is tentatively scheduled to be evaluated Dec. 22 — exactly three months after the deadline was set.
When asked if Cunniff would meet his goals, Daugherty said, "He's lost a tremendous amount of weight," though he didn't know how much.
"It's noticeable; you can physically see it," Daugherty said.
The Post reported that Cunniff took his first fitness test in more than three years in November 2013, and failed when his waist size was measured at 43.5 inches. That is 4.5 inches larger than what is allowed.
Stephen Losey is the air warfare reporter for Defense News. He previously covered leadership and personnel issues at Air Force Times, and the Pentagon, special operations and air warfare at Military.com. He has traveled to the Middle East to cover U.S. Air Force operations.
