Exchange Welcomes Army Combat Fitness Test Administrator as New BE FIT Influencer



Story by Alexandra Pirkle
Army & Air Force Exchange Service HQ

DALLAS – The Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s BE FIT program has a new influencer: Sgt. 1st Class Sherille Butler, a 12-year Army logistics specialist, certified Army Combat Fitness Test administrator and bodybuilder.

The Exchange’s BE FIT program empowers military customers, their families and the broader military community to make healthy lifestyle choices. Butler will showcase her expertise in videos on the Exchange’s online community Hub, including tips and tricks for the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) as well as advice for wellness.

“The Exchange is excited to bring Sgt. 1st Class Butler on board as a BE FIT influencer,” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Luis Reyes, the Exchange’s senior enlisted advisor. “She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the program that will help the Exchange keep Warfighters and their families ready and resilient.”

Butler, the non-commissioned officer in charge for the supply directorate at the Army’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., turned to fitness after deploying to Afghanistan in 2017.

“Fitness has become the forefront of my life,” Butler said. “I realized, especially through multiple deployments, that fitness equates to combat readiness.”

Butler is certified to administer the new ACFT, a gender- and age-neutral test comprising six events—three repetition maximum deadlift, standing power throw, hand-release push-up, sprint-drag-carry, leg tuck and 2-mile run—with a 600-point maximum score. The ACFT is expected to become the Army physical test of record by October 2020.

“The new ACFT will challenge and force Soldiers to be more well-rounded, physically fit individuals,” Butler said. “It will absolutely build elite Soldiers and make a stronger Army.”

Success with the ACFT does not rely solely on conditioning, Butler said. Soldiers need to eat well too. She turns to the Exchange for healthy snacks and meals.

“The Exchange restaurants have better food options,” Butler said. “Usually when I go [to the Exchange], I look for the ‘healthier options’ tags and those will point me in the right direction.”

The Exchange also supports Butler’s bodybuilding goals. In June 2018, Butler competed in her first competition, placing second in the natural physique class. She is currently training with a competition coach.

Butler joins her mentor Sgt. Maj. Edward Bell and his wife Lisa as a BE FIT influencer.


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