More than 250 retired military officials urge Trump to appoint leaders to children’s fitness council

More than 250 retired generals and admirals sent a letter to President Trump on Tuesday, urging him to appoint leaders to the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition — which has remained vacant since he took office.

“As retired senior military leaders, we know that encouraging more young Americans to lead healthy lifestyles is a critical part of ensuring that our nation is prepared to respond to the challenges of the future,” reads the letter from Mission: Readiness, a national security nonprofit.

Excess weight, the writers say, prevents nearly one in three young adults from qualifying for military service, threatening future military readiness. 

{mosads} “Appointing champions for better health to the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition will help educate, engage and inspire children and youth to adopt habits to avoid obesity, we well as strength national security by increasing the number of young adults qualified to serve in the military,” the letter reads. 

The signatories included retired service members, as well as current GOP Reps. Jack Bergman (Mich.) and Don Bacon (Neb.) 

Retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling trolled first daughter Ivanka Trump on Monday, reminding the White House senior adviser that her father has yet to appoint anyone to the council. 

“We need to promote healthy lifestyles for America’s youth,” Ivanka Trump tweeted Monday. “In a recent survey, 9.5 million U.S. children reported that they did NOT once participate in any of over 100 sports or activities listed.”

Hertling pointed out that the 60-year-old council has no appointees and praised former first lady Michelle Obama for her work on the children’s health movement.

Ummm…there’s this thing called the President’s Council on Fitness, Sport, and Nutrition. Been around 60 years. Used to have 25 appointees…I was one of them. @MichelleObama helped & generated momentum in this area. No one is on the Council now. @FitnessGov. Check it out. https://t.co/R6xh1n0Qi7

— Mark Hertling (@MarkHertling) April 8, 2018

In February, President Trump expanded the number of council members, from 25 to 30, but has yet to appoint any members. Holli Richmond was appointed as executive director last month. 

The council serves under the secretary of Health and Human Services and the website still listed members as “to be announced” as of Tuesday afternoon.