NJ National Guard head reprimanded over weight, didn’t tell Christie

Gov. Christie has ordered the head of the New Jersey National Guard to shape up.

The order comes after a Washington Post report revealing that Air Force Brig. Gen. Michael L. Cunniff was reprimanded about his weight and skipping physical fitness tests last year but did not tell the governor.

"Gov. Christie was not informed of this issue by Gen Cunniff until last week and the governor has expressed directly to the General that his failure to meet that standard or to provide notification of his formal reprimand is both unacceptable and disappointing," Christie spokesman Kevin Roberts said in an email to New Jersey 101.5. "The governor has directed Gen. Cunniff to meet his obligations in the next 90 days."

Cunniff in a separate statement to the Post admitted his struggle with weight control.

"However, I do recognize that military members and leaders, like myself, are held to a higher standard," he wrote. "I take this matter seriously and am taking the necessary steps to remedy this issue.”

Christie acts as commander-in-chief of the New Jersey National Guard and Cunniff, who has led the Guard since 2012, is part of the governor's cabinet.