David West Loses The Weight, Takes Army Oath

1/31/12-David West today, a happy and healthy 171 pounds, and a newly sworn-in member of the U.S. Army. (KMOX/Brett Blume)

David West Loses The Weight, Takes Army Oath

1/31/12-David West today, a happy and healthy 171 pounds, and a newly sworn-in member of the U.S. Army. (KMOX/Brett Blume)

David West Loses The Weight, Takes Army Oath

1/31/12-David West's mother Kathi holds out the photo of her son taken at his high school prom, when he weighed about 100 pounds more than he does today. (KMOX/Brett Blume)

David West Loses The Weight, Takes Army Oath

1/31/12-David West's prom picture. Even here he was well below his eventual top weight of 283 lbs. He now weighs 171. (KMOX/Brett Blume)

David West Loses The Weight, Takes Army Oath

1/31/12-Parents Kathi and David West look on as their son prepares to take the plunge and become an Army soldier. (KMOX/Brett Blume)

David West Loses The Weight, Takes Army Oath

1/31/12-David West signs papers, lots of papers, before taking the oath to be sworn in as a member of the U.S. Army. (KMOX/Brett Blume)

David West Loses The Weight, Takes Army Oath

1/31/12-That's proud parents David and Kathi West flanking their son, David West II, moments before taking the oath to join the U.S. Army. (KMOX/Brett Blume)

David West Loses The Weight, Takes Army Oath

1/31/12-David West takes the oath to join the U.S. Army during a swearing in ceremony at the Robert E. Young Federal Building downtown Tuesday. (KMOX/Brett Blume)

David West Loses The Weight, Takes Army Oath

1/31/12-David West takes the oath to join the U.S. Army during a swearing in ceremony at the Robert E. Young Federal Building downtown Tuesday. (KMOX/Brett Blume)