U.S. Forces Fitness

Story by Sharon Holland Photo by Sarah Marshall Uniformed Services University In the early morning darkness, before many people in the Washington, D.C., area are even out of bed, a group of military officers dressed in camouflage rapidly make their way to the end of a field behind the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md. Armed with sledgehammers, they move with a purpose, focused completely on the mission at hand. The group’s leader, Army 2ndLt Joshua Sullivan, tells them to stop. The cold air meets the heat of their bodies, creating an eerie steam that resembles a fog that blankets the area around them. As they catch their breath, Sullivan pulls out his cell phone to check for instructions, momentarily lighting up the pitch blackness surrounding the joint service team. “Combat sprints, 3 rounds,” he says. The students sprint back down the field, sledgehammer in tow, dropping to the prone position after each 25-meter length and resting one m

Story by Sgt. Michael West 24th Press Camp Headquarters Poznan, Poland – "The ultimate is not to win, but to reach within the depths of your capabilities and to compete against yourself to the greatest extent possible. When you do that, you have dignity. You have the pride. You can walk about with character and pride no matter in what place you happen to finish."- Billy Mills former Marine and Olympic gold medalist Harrison Fletcher, an Army captain stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, but currently deployed to Poland, is always ready for any challenge. His most recent challenge was the Athens Authentic Marathon held on Nov. 11 in Athens, Greece. The historical marathon is a 26.2-mile run that covers the same ground that Pheidippides ran in 490 B.C. when he brought news of victory from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens. This historical event birthed the distance for all marathons that are run today. “This has been a life-long dream to compete in this marathon,” sa

Story by Terrance Bell U.S. Army Garrison Fort Lee Public Affairs Jump rope is old-school for most adults, evoking images of childhood and playful summer vacation days free of worry and full of fun. Some may associate it with boxing – akin to scenes in “Rocky” where Sylvester Stallone whizzes the rope around his body with a rhythmic “woosh, woosh, woosh.” The tendrils of jump roping – or jump skipping as it’s called in some parts of the world – also extend into the fitness arena where participants are discovering its significant flexibility, circulatory and aerobic health benefits. Capt. Jude G.B. Coe, a CASCOM Headquarters and Headquarters Company Soldier, is among the promoters and teachers of that aspect of the activity. His perception of jump roping changed about a year ago when he became part owner of a Richmond-area boxing fitness franchise that features a circuit training format. Jump rope is the first exercise in each round of workouts led by Coe and other instruct

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Danilo Reynoso.  USS Bataan (LHD 5) Public Affairs  Ding ding ding, the bell rings notifying all of the gym’s occupants it’s time for a workout. Hiss hiss followed by two loud smacking thuds of leather gloves beating against a punching bag is heard as Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Demarco Herrod feels the adrenaline surge through his body. This is where the magic happens for the  27-year-old, Hinesville, GA native. Assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), Herrod sought out boxing three months after returning from his deployment in 2017. For Herrod, this decision was not on a whim. As a young boy, his inspiration came from watching the greats spar in the sport he loves. “I always loved boxing,  my all time favorites are Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali,” said Herrod. “Roy Jones Jr., Sugar Ray Leonard and Floyd Mayweather were all are my inspirations growing up.” The professional boxing match between Mike Tyson and Lar

Story by Sgt. James Griffin 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - Under cloudy skies, approximately 90 leaders of 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, gathered on the damp grass of a softball field next to Staff Sgt. Eric B. Shaw Physical Fitness Center Aug. 1 to participate in a new type of physical fitness challenge. The physical fitness challenge is the latest event in a growing partnership between Bastogne Soldiers and the staff of Spartan Race. The two teams have been working closely to build innovative and challenging physical fitness programs. “We are always looking for a way to improve our fitness,” said Col. Derek Thomson, 1st BCT commander. “We do it well, but we can always do it better.” The physical fitness challenge was not the first time the Spartan team had visited Fort Campbell. “When they came back in August they brought two things, the first draft of the new manual and sandbags,” said 1st L

Story by Cpl. Nikki Morales Marine Corps Installations Eas t MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Marines from around the world competed to earn the title of the High Intensity Tactical Training Champion at the HITT Championship hosted at the Goettge Memorial Field House on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune Nov. 5 through Nov. 8. The primary purpose of the HITT program is to enhance operational fitness levels and optimize combat readiness and resiliency for the Marine, according to Raymond Anderson, HITT Program Coordinator, Semper Fit Division, Marine Corps Community Services, MCB Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River. The HITT Championship awards ceremony took place Nov. 8 at the French Creek Recreation Center..  All Marines were recognized for their participation and the male and female first, second and third place champions were announced along with an award for the most motivated Marine throughout the week. “I thought it was really unique that we had such

Story by Tech. Sgt. Darnell Cannady 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Runners walk to the starting line to prepare. With unique challenges such as a running path highlighted by glow sticks, sand surrounding the running path, and a 3 a.m. start time, the runners began their 26.2 mile journey to complete the first Marine Corps Marathon held at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates Oct. 27, 2018. This year marks the 43rd iteration of the Marine Corps Marathon, a race that is annually ranked as one of the largest marathons in the US and the world. It is held in Arlington, Va., National Harbor, Md., and in Washington D.C., hosting runners from all 50 states and more than 60 countries. Deployed locations can host the marathon as well. Participants of different skill levels can register to complete this marathon. “I’ve always heard great things about the Marine Corps Marathon, so with this being my first deployment—and I’m in the Marine Corps—I thought why not make this my first mar

Story by Sgt. Zoe Morris West Virginia National Guard On mile 35 of the 91.1-mile West Virginia Trilogy ultramarathon, West Virginia Army National Guard (WVARNG) Soldier Cpl. Avery Liller slipped and slammed his knee into a rock. He was on day two of the three-day race, slogging through foot-deep mud in the Monongahela National Forest, a remote area of the Appalachian Mountains known for rugged landscape with spectacular views, rivers, blueberry thickets, highland bogs, and open areas with ancient exposed rocks and boulders. “For the rest of the race any downhill running was so painful is was almost unbearable, but I refused to quit because that’s not what I do,” said Liller. “The final day my ankles were swollen the size of baseballs, my knee hurt so bad that I couldn’t walk down any stairs. I tried to run and was quickly brought to a walk and was almost in tears from the pain.” Liller’s mental fortitude and habit of constant training beyond his comfort zone worked to get hi

Story by Airman BrieAnna Stillman 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Many times people go through life never knowing about the incredible talent they may possess. This would be true for Staff Sgt. Allen Plata, 20th Equipment Maintenance Squadron stockpile management crew chief, who may have never known about his powerlifting abilities if it weren’t for joining the Air Force. Physical fitness has always been a part of the military way of life and fitness tests ensure members are maintaining that way of life. But for some, push-ups, sit-ups, and running just isn’t enough. “I was bored of the normal workouts so I decided to switch it up and start lifting,” said Plata. “Prior to the military I had never stepped in a gym, I used to just surf or play golf.” Little did Plata know he had a talent that would lead him to rank third nationally and break records in the state of South Carolina. Plata began powerlifting while in the gym in order to mix up his workouts and soon realized

Story by Staff Sgt. Samuel Northrup 1-2 SBCT, 7th Infantry Division JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. - Soldiers of 1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team began the first phase of adopting the Army Combat Fitness Test when a U.S. Army Physical Fitness School mobile training team from Fort Jackson, South Carolina, travelled to JBLM to train graders from the field test battalions in the brigade, Oct. 22 to Nov. 2. "The course validates noncommissioned officers to be level three, two and one graders in order to facilitate the pilot test the five battalions on JBLM are conducting over the next year," said Capt. Sidney King, a Team Leader for Army Combat Fitness Test Mobile Training Team. The current Army Physical Fitness Test is scheduled to be replaced with the Army Combat Fitness Test in October 2020. The ACFT provides the Army with an evidence-based test that will serve as a predictor of Soldier combat performance. Phase I concludes for 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment;

Story by Airman 1st Class Alexi Myrick 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. – Senior Airman Jeremiah Patrick, 22nd Maintenance Squadron, hydraulics systems journeyman, won the Alpha Warrior Competition Oct. 20, 2018, at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. The Alpha Warrior Competition is an obstacle course consisting of multiple intense exercises to challenge the mind and body of our service members. “After seeing the flier at the gym for Alpha Warrior, I began rock climbing and CrossFit to train because of how physically challenging the competition is,” said Patrick. Patrick was involved in many sports such as wrestling and football, before joining the Alpha Warrior program. Patrick credits these sports in helping him prepare for the competition as well. “When I’m going through the competition the one thing I have to focus on is breathing, and remember my training,” said Patrick. Patrick said he enjoys participating in Alpha Warrior because

Story by Angelina  Casarez Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Public Affairs The 2018 Alpha Warrior Final Battle will feature the first ever inter-service competition with Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors competing Nov. 17 at Retama Park in Selma, Texas. The program, conducted by the Air Force Services Activity, a subordinate unit of the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, expanded from an Air Force-only event in 2017 to include Army and Navy competitors in its second season. Each service will field a six-person coed team to determine the Department of Defense winner. The inter-service battle will occur on the heels of the second-annual Air Force Alpha Warrior Final Battle that takes place Nov. 16 at noon. Fifty Airmen from around the world will compete for that title and a shot the next day at the inter-service crown.  Both events are open to DoD ID cardholders and their families. Saturday’s inter-service battle begins at 9 a.m. and will include wel

Story by Patrick Young Fort Stewart Public Affairs Office Jordan Fitness Center will soon become the hub for Army combat fitness training on Fort Stewart with the addition of the Alpha Warrior Battle Rig and extended hours of operation. If you’ve visited Jordan recently, you’ve likely witnessed the construction of the new Battle Rig, a 35 foot fitness structure located in the heart of the gym. Similar in appearance to a favorite televised obstacle challenge the rig wasn’t designed for celebrities, rather warriors.  It focuses on Soldier readiness through functional fitness training with a high concentration placed on the new Army Combat Fitness Training program. “Functional fitness has become more relevant in day to day operations throughout the Army as seen in the new Army Combat Fitness training requirements.” said Randy Ray, program manager for Jordan and Caro fitness centers. “The Alpha Warrior Battle Rig was adopted by the Army to help build and promote the functional

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Lopez Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 OKINAWA, Japan (NNS) – Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 promoted general well-being amongst their Sailors during a command-wide Health Promotions Fair event on board Camp Shields in Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 30. NMCB-3 dedicated a full work-day to arming Seabees with information that is intended to help them meet their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health goals during the battalion’s deployment to the Indo-Pacific region. “We created this event to align with the commanding officer’s intent,” said Lt. Anthony Marin, the battalion dental officer and one of the event facilitators. “We want to kick of this deployment setting our Seabees up for success by giving them the right tools to meet all of their health goals starting from the very beginning of deployment.” The fair kicked off with groups of Seabees rotating through several events for the first half