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    MP loses half body weight to join Army

    MP loses half body weight to join Army

    Photo By Staff Sgt. Dommnique Washington | Pvt. Justin Lahman, center, displays his room clearing abilities to his senior...... read more read more

    UNITED STATES

    10.24.2017

    Story by Aleah Castrejon 

    Fort Carson Public Affairs Office

    By Aleah M. Castrejon
    Garrison Public Affairs Office

    Growing up in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, Justin Lahman had hopes of becoming a civilian police officer.

    His childhood dream seemed to be within reach as he arranged to shadow a local police officer while still in high school.

    “The officer I rode with was brutally honest with me and told me that I was in no physical condition to apply for police departments,” Lahman said.

    This wake-up call was the beginning of the then 300-plus pound Lahman’s journey of losing nearly 150 pounds to join the Military Police Corps.

    When Lahman first walked into an Army recruiting office he was told he would need to lose half his body weight to make the Army’s height and weight standards. He could see the skepticism on the recruiter’s face, nonetheless, Lahman told the recruiter he would lose the weight and be back in 10 months.

    And that he did, now 21, Pvt. Lahman is a proud member of the 59th Military Police Company, 759th MP Battalion, at Fort Carson.

    His current leadership commended him and his drive to reach his goals.

    “His heart and determination, you can’t change the Soldier on the inside,” said Capt. Wesley Monaco, 59th MP commander. “You can’t change who they are and their drive to become a Soldier. So that means he is determined, driven and motivated on his own accord.”

    The commitment required to complete such a feat is not lost on Sgt. 1st Class Ash McDougle, platoon sergeant, 59th MP.

    “(Lahman’s story) shows that people still want to support and fight for our country, and they’ll do the things it takes to be able to do that,” said McDougle.

    In high school, the 300-pound Lahman was good at sports. He was offered a football scholarship but then it was taken away after he sustained an injury, he said.

    Lahman then began to gain even more weight. The 6-foot-1-inch teenager weighed 360 pounds at his heaviest. He drank massive amounts of soda, he said, which was his hardest habit to break.

    Time for a change

    Constantly being made fun of and told he would not accomplish his goals was just part of life, Lahman said.

    At the beginning of 2016, he decided to make a change. He lost the first 20 pounds on his own before enlisting the help of his former football coach, who is also a bodybuilder.

    “Sometimes in life you have to be able to look at yourself and understand that you need help and you have to ask for it,” Lahman said. “You can’t let your pride get in the way of your dreams.”

    In addition to his coach, Lahman said his father, Jack Richard Lahman Jr., was a large part of his support system.

    “That became my team from that point on, even when I had moments of doubt,” Lahman said.

    He was eating upwards of 5,600 calories a day before his coach began slowly lowering his calories and changing the way he ate. Layman described his diet as a “healthy eating” plan.

    Playing football and wrestling in high school, Lahman said he knew how to work out and lift weights, but he wanted to push himself further by turning an exercise he hated -- running -- into a passion. Lahman said he learned how to pace himself and received tips from a friend who was a marathon runner. He continued setting goals, to include completing a marathon, which he accomplished last year.

    “(His determination) shows how much character and what a great leader … he is going to be,” said Spc. Christopher Banks, team leader, 59th MPs. “He is oing to train Soldiers phenomenally.”

    It did not come easy for Lahman. He relied on his support team and was inspired by his role model, MMA great and professional boxer Conor McGregor.

    “‘Every day I look at myself in the mirror, and if you truly believe you are the best at what you do, then that’s what you will be,’” Lahman said, quoting McGregor.

    His journey had its highs and lows, but nothing was going to get in the way of achieving his goals, Lahman said.

    Mission complete

    He walked back into the recruiter’s office 150 pounds lighter, right on schedule. A few weeks later, he was off to basic training.

    “I will never forget my drill sergeant,” Lahman said. “Aside from my father, he taught me the most.”

    He recalled his drill sergeant’s motivation as he pushed Lahman to run his first mile at basic training in six minutes. He now continues to push himself during unit physical training.

    “As his team leader, I have had the chance to see firsthand how motivated and how inspirational he can be as a person and as a Soldier,” Banks said. “It just shows day in and day out, if you work hard and set a goal, it can happen.”

    Banks said he is a better team leader because Lahman is constantly asking questions.

    “I get to interact with him on a day-in, day-out basis,” Banks said. “I tell him once and he gets the job done. When other Soldiers see that, they just try to mirror him. He is the standard for the privates. He is nonstop asking questions, trying to get the most information out of me.”

    Lahman used to block out how society viewed him but today he continues pushing forward with his goals and urges potential new recruits to do the same.

    “Don’t be boxed in by society,” Lahman said. “You can have anything you want. If you truly want something bad enough, the first step is looking in the mirror. If you see it inside yourself, and in your heart, and you have the courage to start speaking it, it will happen.”

    ‘Army comes first’

    His next major goal is to compete in a men’s physique competition next year, but his preparation will not come before his military duties, he said.

    “I still have a job, first and foremost is the United States of America, that’s my job,” Lahman said. “The Army comes first. I have dedicated my time to it, and they will get it because I love my job.”

    Lahman said he is excited to learn his job and learn from his leadership.

    “Being a Soldier is one of the most unique jobs in the United States, by far,” he said. “What I have learned in two months from my leadership blows my mind sometimes. I find it important to be a sponge early on, especially with my young rank.”

    His leadership noticed his enthusiasm to learn and the effects it had on his peers.

    “Pvt. Lahman is a Soldier-leader, and he leads while he moves alongside his battle buddies,” said McDougle. “He tries to push them along and make sure everybody is doing everything they can do to help the team.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 10.24.2017
    Date Posted: 12.22.2017 14:36
    Story ID: 260090
    Location: US
    Hometown: LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ, US

    Web Views: 301
    Downloads: 0

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