Recruit loses 230 pounds to enlist in Army
FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas (Army News Service, Nov. 3, 2005)

When a recruiter stopped by to talk to his son, Roderick Evans was the one sold on the military. A home health care specialist in Detroit, Mich., Evans had a passion for helping others and a desire to make a difference. A military medical career sounded like a perfect fit.

The recruiter, on the other hand, saw a different picture. He took one look at Evans and said, “You’re just too big.”

At 5 feet, 7 inches and 418 pounds, Evans could hardly disagree.

But instead of easing the rejection with his usual overdose of comfort foods, the self-proclaimed Snickerholic “went on a crusade.” Fueled by sheer willpower and a determination to join the military, the 36-year-old finally conquered a lifelong battle with his weight. Three years and 230 pounds lighter, Evans again saw a recruiter. This time, he was met with a much different reception.

“He had me come down to his office for a (fitness) test,” said Evans, now 39 years old and a svelte 165 pounds. “I passed with flying colors and signed up for the Reserves on the spot.”

As a 91W combat medic student at the Army Medical Department Center and School, Evans now serves as a motivator for his fellow Soldiers, a role he never anticipated when growing up on the streets of Detroit.

“It was rough,” Evans said. “You had to either be the big guy so no one messed with you or you had to know how to fight. I was the big guy.”

Evans’ mother, a single mother of four, worked at two jobs to keep a roof over their heads. Evans became “papa” at home, cooking and cleaning for his siblings.

As a teen, his size was an advantage in football. That and his passion for the marching band kept him fairly fit and out of trouble, he said. He continued with both in college at Grambling University, La., then signed on as a trombone instructor and vocal teacher at his alma mater. Evans taught there for 14 years.

Over the years, a love of sweets turned the 260-pound teen into a 418-pound man.

When his brother became sick, Evans and his wife, La Tanya, moved back to Michigan to help with his brother’s three children. Evans took a job as a sales manager at a clothing store and a night job in home health care.

Despite his weight, Evans was healthy but frustrated by his physical condition. At 36, “I couldn’t walk from the couch to the door without sitting down,” he said. “But I didn’t want to push back from the table.”

Although he worked in a clothing store, his own shopping trips were a dreaded nightmare. When he went shopping, he didn’t ask the salesman to show him where the jeans were or for a style tip, he asked for the largest size in the store. Sometimes even the largest size wouldn’t fit.

“That’s when my wife would turn to me and just say, “It will be OK,’” Evans said. “She knew how bad I felt.”

But it wasn’t until the recruiter walked in that Evans pushed his plate away. He got up from the couch and started walking, then running. With smaller portions and a steady diet of gym trips, the weight flew off.

“I never lost sight of my goal (joining the Army),” Evans said. “Even at 418 pounds I never gave up. That’s just who I am.”

A much slimmer Evans enlisted in July and traveled to Fort Sam Houston to start combat medic training. He is once again a father figure, but this time for the younger Soldiers, who call him “pops.”

“I watch over them and try to keep them motivated,” Evans said. “I’m up early and running and yelling and keeping the Soldiers going at PT.”

“Pvt. Evans motivates me every time I see him in front of the company,” said 1st Sgt. Armand Fermin, C Company, 232nd Medical Battalion first sergeant. “His performance and attitude are phenomenal. He energizes me and the cadre and provides the younger Soldier medics a positive role model.”

Evans said his fellow trainees always ask him where he gets his energy. “I tell them I do it because I couldn’t at one time,” he said. “If I could fly, I’d fly.”

Right now he is flying through training, and his leadership is helping him to obtain a few other goals – become an active duty officer and a nurse.

“I feel like a different person,” Evans said. “I’m the same on the inside, but now my energy level matches my inner drive. I have the energy to do what I want to do.”

Regarding his surgery- and prescription-free weight loss, “If you get it in your head that you can and will beat this, you will,” he said. “Say today, not tomorrow. I won’t cut off, but cut back. Try not eating sweets for a week, anything that will motivate you.”

Evans still avoids Snicker bars and most sweets, but doesn’t give them a second thought. His primary focus is on his military future.

“I’m aiming for 20 years in the Army,” he said. “It took me a long time to achieve this goal and I’m going to keep going until I can’t.”

www4.army.mil/ocpa/read.php?story_id_key=8157

That's determination.

Well done!

BEFORE:


Pvt. Roderick Evans carries a picture of himself at 418 pounds to remind himself to never give up. He lost 230 pounds in order to enlist.


AFTER:


Pvt. Roderick Evans, from C Company, 232nd Medical Battalion, learns the fireman’s carry as part of combat medic training.

WOW!  

Good for him...

OUTSTANDING, Pvt Evans!!!

Many of us could really use a lesson or two from this guy.    

Nice work.  Be very proud of all you have accomplished.

{S}

Amazing.  Inspiring.


CMOS

 holy shit.

Note to self---------  (no more Snickers)

God damn great american!  Wish i could shake his hand!

Reminds me of this guy.

www.defendamerica.mil/profiles/mar2004/pr030308a.html



He lost over 100 pounds in one year just to become a Marine.

I wish weight was my problem.  You cant overcome asthma, two knee surgeries, and a shoulder surgery.  Which kills me because I want to join so bad.  But these disqualify you automatically.

We need more men like him, I applauad his determination

That is fucking amazing.  My hat is off.

Cheers

And here I sit thinking about blowing off my LRS interview tomorrow night because I just don't know if I wanna fuck with Ranger school at 34...  I might be a pussy.

When it hit me that I had to to do something for my country, I was 31 years old and 335 lbs. One year later I was at Fort Knox, OSUT M1/M1A1  tanker. Nearly ruined my marriage, almost lost my job when I came back, but I have NEVER regretted it.

That is amazing! I thought the 30lbs I lost to join was alot. Well congrats to those guys.

Hats off to that man. What a great role model.

awsome.

Hardcore.

HOOAH!

There we have it folks...

PROOF that it is diet and excercise!

He has been awarded 1 AttaBoy in my book. No doubt, with that courage and convinction, he will make us very proud in whatever role he plays in our armed services. Just goes to show our resolve, not just as a nation..but to the everyday Joe.

Hooah Soldier!  Drive on!

OUTSTANDING!

Lost 120 lbs to join myself. Took 8 months, walking everywhere, and playing sports 3 times a week, but I did it. 360 lbs to 235lbs at MEPS.

200 plus, though, wow.

AGREED!

Quoted: OUTSTANDING, Pvt Evans!!! Many of us could really use a lesson or two from this guy.     Nice work.  Be very proud of all you have accomplished. {S}

... Dayum, that's inspirational. I'll remember this thread next time I'm tempted with a donut

That is kick ass.

for the people that are over weight,  this is a PEFFECT example  that hard work WILL PAY OFF

well done  soldier

Quoted: BEFORE: www4.army.mil/ocpa/uploads/medium/OCPA-2005-11-03-115311.jpg Pvt. Roderick Evans carries a picture of himself at 418 pounds to remind himself to never give up. He lost 230 pounds in order to enlist. AFTER: www4.army.mil/OCPA/uploads/medium/OCPA-2005-11-03-115519.jpg Pvt. Roderick Evans, from C Company, 232nd Medical Battalion, learns the fireman’s carry as part of combat medic training.

Awsome...

If I lost 230 Lbs. I would only weight 8 lbs....
Wow!!!

Quoted:  holy shit.

+1

This is quite the inspiration...

I started at 242 lbs.  I'm down to 214 lbs.  Started working on losing the pounds in September.

When I hit 200, I chat with a recruiter.



If these guys can do it, I can give it a go.


- BG

Quoted: Now THAT'S a great American!

+1

coburn

tricare goes up...

motivation.

Quoted: Quoted: Now THAT'S a great American! +1 coburn

+2

Incredibly impressive.

Quoted: tricare goes up...

 I guess because of what I do, this is very funny to me!  

Champus too.  

That is impressive -  America is lucky to have men of his caliber and determination!

Now that is determination! Damn good job.

That soldier has a helluva future as a motivational speaker.  What an inspiring story!

We had a marine at my Quantico Duty station that was like almost 300lbs and got down to 180-190 to join. He too carries is fatbody picture with him to remind him of the horrors of once was.

Good for these guys.

Quoted: Awsome... If I lost 230 Lbs. I would only weight 8 lbs.... Wow!!!

Fatass

<applause>

Quoted: Quoted: Awsome... If I lost 230 Lbs. I would only weight 8 lbs.... Wow!!! Fatass

I'm not really fat.. I'm have big bones.

Thats awsome.