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PETA looking for sexy military vegetarians

Wanted: A lean, mean fighting machine who defends animal rights as vigorously as U.S. national security.

The prize: You could be named the Sexiest Vegetarian Soldier.

Sponsored by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the contest — which is actually open to service members in all branches, as well as veterans — is the latest in the group’s long line of publicity stunts, all aimed at promoting a meatless diet and the rights of animals it says are treated cruelly while being raised and processed.

“David James Elliott might have played debonair vegetarian Navy Commander Harmon Rabb on the popular TV series JAG,” a PETA press release announces, “But now, PETA’s looking for the real deal.”

PETA argues that vegetarians are “on average, fitter and trimmer than their meat-eating counterparts, so if soldiers want to be lean, mean fighting machines, the best thing that they can do is keep meat off their plates.”

It adds that the consumption of meat and other animal products “has been conclusively linked to America’s leading killer diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and several types of cancer. And while even the strongest fighting force on Earth can’t solve all the world’s problems overnight, going vegetarian is the best way to help stop the violence and bloodshed inherent in the meat industry.”

“Vegetarian soldiers, sailors, Air Force personnel, and Marines earn their stripes for defending the abused every time they sit down to eat,” said PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “After all, what could be sexier than someone with the passion to carry out the rigors of the military and the compassion to protect animals?”

The contest is open to all current and former service members. PETA says those interested should fill out the form and upload a few recent photos. The entry round will end Nov. 26, and the winner will be notified and announced Dec. 8.

In addition to being named the sexiest vegetarian in the U.S. military, the winner will be named on The PETA Files and will receive a vegan goodie basket loaded with cookies, chocolate, “faux jerky” and a PETA T-shirt.