FLW Soldiers learn to master fitness

By Mrs. Melissa Buckley (Leonard Wood)November 20, 2014

FLW Soldiers learn to master fitness
JoAnna Corp, Anautics traininer, watches as Soldiers perform new exercises. The trainers were part of the U.S. Army Physical Fitness School and were here to instruct Soldiers on the concepts of physical fitness and readiness to propel the Army to a m... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

The difference between a pushup and an eight-count pushup is a higher Army Physical Fitness Test score. That knowledge and other secrets were unveiled as the U.S. Army Physical Fitness School conducted a four-week class on Fort Leonard Wood.

Fifty Fort Leonard Wood Soldiers will become Master Fitness Trainers on Friday with a new additional skill identifier and an additional duty in their units.

Staff Sgt. Jared Balog, Company A, 701st Military Police Battalion drill sergeant, said he is proud to accept the additional responsibility.

"I am looking forward to taking this information back to my unit to improve our readiness," Balog said.

Master Fitness Trainers serve as additional-duty special advisers to unit commanders -- company through division -- to facilitate physical training based on Army doctrine.

Balog said he has wanted to take the 20-day course since 2013, when mobile training teams from the U.S. Army Physical Readiness Division at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, started traveling to different installations.

"I have always been interested in nutrition and physical fitness," Balog said. "There is a lot more to learn other than Physical Readiness Training. We have focused on kinesis and anatomy like bones and muscle groups."

According 1st Lt. Brian Mouton, U.S. Army Physical Fitness School, Master Fitness Team lead, the Fort Leonard Wood Soldiers learned about the science of exercise, physical-fitness assessment, exercise training principles, exercise prescription, exercise leadership and development of individual and unit physical-readiness programs in accordance with current Army doctrine and regulations.

The course included hands-on training that incorporated basic military skills associated with PRT, such as marching, running, swimming, jumping, vaulting, climbing, carrying, lifting and load carrying.

Classroom training focused on exercise physiology, anatomy, injury prevention, exercise science and Army physical training regulations and doctrine.

The course taught Soldiers more about the new PRT program, a total body workout that incorporates traditional Army strength and endurance exercises, such as the eight-count pushup and the squat bender, with new drills such as the back bridge and medial leg raises.

Sgt. Phaneslyn Williams, General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital radiology specialist, said learning all of the checkpoints was one of the most difficult things about the course.

"The most challenging part for me was remembering the checkpoints for each exercise. Each little checkpoint is important, that is what makes the difference," Williams said.

Williams said she was impressed with her instructors.

"They are very knowledgeable. Some of them are civilians, and some of them have military backgrounds. The fact that they know all of the checkpoints and can teach us is motivating," Williams said.

Mouton said the instructors have to posses a degree in physical education, have experience in exercise and hold several different national fitness certifications before teaching Soldiers.

Mouton said the course is important to the Army's mission, because it not only teaches knowledge of proper exercise techniques, planning considerations and achieving fitness goals in a unit -- but also helps prevent injury.

"Preventing injury will not only allow a Soldier to remain effective in the force, but will help maintain an Army that is capable mentally and physically to handle the stressors of combat," Mouton said.

The course is open to active and reserve-component Soldiers who are recommended by their battalion commanders or equivalent. First priority of acceptance is given to staff sergeants, sergeants first class and second lieutenants through captains.

Students must meet Army height and weight standards in accordance with Army Regulation 600-9, The Army Weight Control Program and pass the Army Physical Fitness Test with a total score of 240 points or higher with a minimum of 80 points in each event.

A general technical score of 110 points or higher is recommended. Soldiers on temporary or permanent physical profiles are not eligible.

"I think this course is essential for any noncommissioned officer who is going to be leading Soldiers," Williams said. "We have to be fit and ready to meet the demands of the Army."

Once the course is completed, the USAPFS mobile training team will travel to a different installation with the goal of having a certified MFT in every company across the Army.

For more information on the USAPFS or the MFT course, visit www.jackson.army.mil/sites/usapfs.

Related Links:

Fort Leonard Wood GUIDON Newspaper

Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood