U.S. Forces Fitness

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, TX, UNITED STATES 08.30.2018 Story by  Alexx Pons   Air Force Wounded Warrior Program Life happens in an instant; and while the damage and destruction can take years to clean up and rebuild, dramatic and unforeseeable change occurs in a flash.  “I can remember the night of the accident very vividly; mostly I remember being stopped at a red light and looking at a lady in the vehicle next to me frantically pointing past me through her window. As I looked to see what she was pointing at, that is when the car hit me and everything went black.”  Staff Sgt. Kevin Greene was struck by a female motorist, while on his motorcycle, who had been texting while driving.  “The next thing I know, I am waking up in a hospital, hearing people in the background yelling out hysterically, people praying and then a doctor walking in,” he said. “The doctor told me I was just involved in a fairly severe motorcycle accident, and that my brain was fi

New York National Guard Story by Timothy Jones Wednesday, August 29, 2018 In an innovative effort to promote fitness and improve morale, the 224th Support Squadron recently conducted a German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge competition. A decoration of the Bundeswhehr, the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, the badge is one of the few foreign awards approved for wear on U.S. uniforms. Organized by Master Sgt. Eric Stone and Tech. Sgt. Sean Redden, the competition included four Airmen from the 224th Air Defense Group – the 224th Support Squadron and the 224th Air Defense Squadron make up the 224th, which provides the New York Air National Guard forces at the Eastern Air Defense Sector in Rome.  Three Airmen from the 109th Airlift Wing participated as well. Stone and Redden became qualified test proctors by completing a one-day training session conducted by the German liaison officer at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Fitness, firearms proficiency an

Story by Alexandra Shea   Evans Army Community Hospital Fort Carson Soldiers will soon see changes in physical fitness programs as they prepare for the newest changes in the Army Physical Fitness Test and training. These changes include tailored plans to prevent injuries, reduce pain and boost speed. Students gathered at the Army Wellness Center behind Iron Horse Sports and Fitness Center, Fort Carson, Colorado, Aug. 3 and 4 to learn the Pose Method for running, a program designed to evaluate a runner’s stride and make improvements.  Not only did these students learn the method, they learned it from two of the Army’s top officials in training and doctrine who are responsible for writing the regulation that will govern the program as it is implemented throughout the Army. “Based on demands from commanders to improve Soldier performance readiness, we are teaching the Pose Method, a version of a running skill,” said Lt. Col. David Feltwell, command physical therapist, C

Story by  Spc. Matthew Williams   2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs     Cosme, a combat engineer, father and husband, has boxed for over seven years, but his journey started much earlier in life. Boxing intrigued the West New York, New Jersey native as he watched the sport on television alongside his father, Steven. What started as a passing interest quickly developed into an obsession after Cosme had trouble with other children in the area. “I took up boxing after I was bullied as a kid and I wanted to learn to defend myself,” said Cosme. “Since then, I fell in love with the sport.” Cosme started off with mixed martial arts, but realized his boxing skills developed at a much faster rate. He began training southpaw (left hand dominant), picking up his first pair of gloves at the age of 11, and fighting in his first preliminary bout at age 17. Battling in the boxing ring primed Cosme for his next milestone, as he enlisted in the U.S. Army

Story by 1st Lt. Verniccia Ford 101st Airborne Division (AA) Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan. – Over 100 "Lifeliner" leaders of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Resolute Support Sustainment Brigade gathered during the early morning hours to take on the new Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). The event began with leaders conducting the ten physical readiness training (PRT) preparation drills to get them warmed up. Upon completion, participants dispersed to five demonstration stations where they got the opportunity to witness and perform the strength deadlift, standing power throw, hand release push up, sprint/drag carry, and leg tuck. Although the new ACFT isn’t scheduled to be implemented until October 2020, Lt. Col. Aaron Lummer, the 101st Special Troops Battalion Commander capitalized on the opportunity to train leaders on Bagram Airfield. His goal was to introduce leaders in the Brigade to the new physical fitness test so th

Story by Staff Sgt. Sierra A. Melendez 50th Public Affairs Detachment 1,500 miles; eight states; hundreds of cities. These are the statistics that accompany a trip from New York City to St. Petersburg, Florida. According to Google maps, that takes most vehicles – assuming the driver is doing the speed limit – approximately 17 hours and eight minutes. Ricky Raley, a retired infantryman from the Indiana National Guard, paralyzed from the waist down, is wrapping up the final leg of this journey – done completely on a handcycle – on Aug. 25. Raley deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007. During a convoy, his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. Raley suffered traumatic brain injuries and was later awarded the Purple Heart. Months after returning to the United States, Raley was involved in a near-fatal motor vehicle accident. The truck he was riding in flipped several times, and Raley was ejected. The truck rolled over him and crushed