There is no way he would be allowed to serve in today's Army, not at his height (6' 10.5") nor weight (380 lbs.).Capt. David C. Van Buskirk served with the 27th Indiana from the start of the war until April 1864 - prolonging a national fitness scandal year after year. Every minute he remained in uniform, he disgraced it - by today's standards.
This affront against health and military decency somehow managed to give good service in a company with 35 men over six feet tall. Call it an accident.
What was his two-mile run time? How many sit-ups could he do in a minute?
Those were the dark ages for fitness standards.
