WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD, Hawaii -- Based on information gathered from Interactive Customer Evaluation, or ICE submissions, and U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii town halls, physical fitness training policies and guidelines have been questioned a number of times.
The garrison provides guidelines as to how physical training should be performed to be safe and uniform and to not infringe on the military community living on post.
When a complaint is raised, USAG-HI is the organization that addresses it. Generally, the main issue is lack of appropriate running areas for all Soldiers stationed in Hawaii.
At one time, the only unit that existed on Schofield Barracks was 25th Infantry Division, explained Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Williamson, senior enlisted leader, USAG-HI. However, "The Army brought more units and now, there are numerous brigades working and living on Schofield."
"Our space is more limited," he continued. "To accommodate these units, we are taking away more green space to build more housing and barracks. (The post) is more condensed now."
USAG-HI has received three main complaints about PT on post.
Williamson said the number one complaint submitted is about units not adhering to designated PT routes and formation guidelines.
"The garrison policy states that formations should not exceed three files," Williamson explained. "A lot of times, they do run with four files, because the formation is so big. We've gotten complaints that these large formations are holding up traffic."
To help rectify this issue, Williamson recommends reporting the unit that isn't following the guidelines, so he can address it with the unit's leadership. Also, he reiterates the policy and guidelines at each quarterly command sergeants major meeting.
Drivers are also reminded that the speed limit is 10 mph when passing Soldier formations conducting PT.
The second major complaint is about formations calling cadence and the amount of noise in the morning near the housing areas, Williamson said.
Williamson explained this complaint is challenging to deal with because "the way that our installation is laid out, the running routes are close to housing (areas). You can't get around that fact."
The third major complaint is about PT being conducted in and too close to housing areas, in general. Williamson said this issue was addressed at last month's USAG-HI Facebook town hall.
"We have posted signs that say units should not do PT within 100 yards of the housing areas," he said.
Williamson added that the bottom line is safety. He encourages Soldiers, family members and civilians participating in PT to "adhere to the garrison's policies."
PT Policy
All Soldiers, civilians and families should review the USAG-HI policy letter about authorized PT routes; visit www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil and click on "Command Policies."
To report units or drivers not in compliance with this policy, call 656-1153.
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