1st TSC takes charge to prepare units deployed to Camp Arifjan for the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT)
KUWAIT
Story by Spc. Dakota Vanidestine
103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)
As incoming Soldiers at basic combat training and advanced individual training conduct the new Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), existing Soldiers throughout the Army scramble to prepare for this event.
One Master Fitness Trainer (MFT) from the 1st Theater Sustainment Command (TSC) has taken charge of making sure units at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait are equipped with the leadership and knowledge they need to successfully perform and administer the ACFT.
Sgt. 1st Class John Santos, 1st TSC, has trained over 225 Soldiers to administer and grade the ACFT since June 2019.
“The goal of this program is to expand the force and get as many people across Afrijan trained for this event as possible” Santos said. “I’m trying to bridge the gap between Soldiers in the field and incoming Soldiers so that we don’t look like we don’t know anything” Santos added.
One of those 225 Soldiers that Santos trained to help multiple the force was Staff Sgt. Eileen Crandall, 103rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command (ESC), who earned her MFT certificate at Fort Dix, New Jersey in June 2019.
“When we got here, I was the only person from the 103rd who was ACFT certified” Crandall said. “Santos being here and setting up this program has been extremely beneficial, especially helping train my only other MFT for the whole 103rd.” Crandall added.
randall, along with the rest of the 103rd ESC, deployed to the Camp Arifjan in September 2019 to form the 1st TSC operational command post.
Sgt. Julie Lautner Lautner, 103rd ESC, also a MFT, was trained by Santos in August 2019. Santos, Crandall, and Lautner combined have trained 13 Soldiers from the 103rd ESC to administer and grade the ACFT in the future.
“Starting fiscal year ’20, we have to make sure that two diagnostic tests are conducted before fiscal year ’21. That means we will have to take at least one ACFT diagnostic for the whole 103rd while we are boots on ground here in Kuwait – over 200 Soldiers.” Crandall said.
The ACFT consists of six events: 3 repetition maximum deadlift, standing power throw, head release push-up, sprint-drag-carry, leg tuck, and a two mile run – all scored on a 100 point scale. These events are aimed at creating functional Soldiers, while reducing injuries throughout the Army.
“With the APT, Solders can do minimal training and wake up in the morning and pass the test. This is not an event you can do that anymore. This is one where you have to constantly work at it and constantly improve and constantly build – not only to be able to perform it to the standard, but safely as well” Crandall said. “We have a high injury unit as it is, a high-profile unit, so having this hands-on and starting it early in the tour is extremely beneficial” Crandall added.
The 103rd ESC will be at Camp Arifjan until May 2020 - that leaves these Soldiers less than 7 months to train and conduct a diagnostic ACFT. Thanks to Santos, Soldiers like Crandall and Lautner have been empowered to enhance the readiness of the 103rd ESC for this daunting event.
One Master Fitness Trainer (MFT) from the 1st Theater Sustainment Command (TSC) has taken charge of making sure units at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait are equipped with the leadership and knowledge they need to successfully perform and administer the ACFT.
Sgt. 1st Class John Santos, 1st TSC, has trained over 225 Soldiers to administer and grade the ACFT since June 2019.
“The goal of this program is to expand the force and get as many people across Afrijan trained for this event as possible” Santos said. “I’m trying to bridge the gap between Soldiers in the field and incoming Soldiers so that we don’t look like we don’t know anything” Santos added.
One of those 225 Soldiers that Santos trained to help multiple the force was Staff Sgt. Eileen Crandall, 103rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command (ESC), who earned her MFT certificate at Fort Dix, New Jersey in June 2019.
“When we got here, I was the only person from the 103rd who was ACFT certified” Crandall said. “Santos being here and setting up this program has been extremely beneficial, especially helping train my only other MFT for the whole 103rd.” Crandall added.
randall, along with the rest of the 103rd ESC, deployed to the Camp Arifjan in September 2019 to form the 1st TSC operational command post.
Sgt. Julie Lautner Lautner, 103rd ESC, also a MFT, was trained by Santos in August 2019. Santos, Crandall, and Lautner combined have trained 13 Soldiers from the 103rd ESC to administer and grade the ACFT in the future.
“Starting fiscal year ’20, we have to make sure that two diagnostic tests are conducted before fiscal year ’21. That means we will have to take at least one ACFT diagnostic for the whole 103rd while we are boots on ground here in Kuwait – over 200 Soldiers.” Crandall said.
The ACFT consists of six events: 3 repetition maximum deadlift, standing power throw, head release push-up, sprint-drag-carry, leg tuck, and a two mile run – all scored on a 100 point scale. These events are aimed at creating functional Soldiers, while reducing injuries throughout the Army.
“With the APT, Solders can do minimal training and wake up in the morning and pass the test. This is not an event you can do that anymore. This is one where you have to constantly work at it and constantly improve and constantly build – not only to be able to perform it to the standard, but safely as well” Crandall said. “We have a high injury unit as it is, a high-profile unit, so having this hands-on and starting it early in the tour is extremely beneficial” Crandall added.
The 103rd ESC will be at Camp Arifjan until May 2020 - that leaves these Soldiers less than 7 months to train and conduct a diagnostic ACFT. Thanks to Santos, Soldiers like Crandall and Lautner have been empowered to enhance the readiness of the 103rd ESC for this daunting event.
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