Military drills and crack of dawn runs haven't been enough to keep our men and women in the armed forces fit and trim. 

The country's obesity problem is just as rampant in the military as it is the general population. The Department of Defense spends $1 billion a year on weight-related healthcare. About 27 percent of today's youth are too fat to serve in the military.

The Naval Academy, aware of the problem, is about to have healthy vending machines installed at its campus as one way to tackle the fat problem.

It has contracted with Vend Natural, a company with dual headquarters in Annapolis and Venutura, Cal., that specializes in vending machines with healthy snacks. The machines will offer packaged fruits and vegetables, juices and organic and all-natural foods.

"We want our students to have the healthiest choices available to them in their on-campus environment," Linda Rodrock, of the Naval Academy's Business Services division, said in a statement. "Our midshipmen have physically and academically demanding schedules and healthy eating is important to them."

Vend Natural also said that its vending machines are energy efficient. The company specializes in providing machines to schools and hospitals and has 400 machines installed in 25 states.