thisisthinprivilege:

Hi, this is a response to your recent post asking for more submissions that explore intersectionality. I wanted to comment particularly on the intersectionality of thin privilege with civ privilege, or civilian privilege. I rarely see civ privilege even discussed in any justice-minded spaces so I also wanted to get that out there.

Civ privilege exists on a spectrum, with people experiencing more or less depending on their privilege depending on their association with or position in a martial environment or institution. The intentionality of civ privilege and thin privilege in America, however, is more clear cut as all service members are subject to their respective service’s “weight control” programs.

Civ privilege is knowing that you will never be publicly forced to stand on a scale and be have your body weighed and subjected to a weight standard at your job.

Civ privilege is knowing that your body will never be publicly measured and subjected to a body fat percentage analysis at your job.

Civ privilege is not having to fear that even if you meet the above standards, your superiors will not hinder your career advancement because you are not sufficiently below the maximum permitted numbers.

Civ privilege is not being in danger of losing your employment and associated benefits because you do not meet the above standards.

Civ privilege is not having your superiors restrict your diet because you do not meet arbitrary weight and body fat percentage standards.

Civ privilege is knowing that your employer does not publish an entire manual on eradicating your type of body.

Hope this helped educate some people and improve the blog! :)

(blog author’s note: edited to move the definition of civilian privilege to the top of the post. Note also that at one time this blog author considered joining the Air Force, on track to be an officer, and decided against it, despite being otherwise eminently qualified both academically and athletically, because of the draconian weight restrictions)