Nightwolf,
They would tape you at MEPS to accurately record weight and body fat, they would still accept you even if you went over weight in the enlisted ranks, and it is not uncommon to lose 40lbs in basic. 6'6" and 280 is still pretty big though. I have a tough time believing they would recycle him short of him requesting it on those limited injuries though.
You are right on the E-1 story though, you aren't shit when in basic, you are a maggot. Rank comes after you pass basic, you're right on that one.
