FORT STEWART, Ga. - Drawing from the proven methods employed by the Army's 75th Ranger Regiment, the Soldiers from Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment with the help of the unit's commander, spearheaded a new pilot physical training comprehensive development program focused on Soldiers to become more resilient in combat and reach new levels of fitness.
The program was coined the Functional Athlete Spartan Training because it re-shapes the way Soldiers look at fitness. The program not only looks at the physical wellbeing but also the specific skills and challenges Soldiers face during combat.
"The goal of the Functional Athlete Spartan Training is to teach Infantry Soldiers how to employ reserves of mental and physical toughness that in the past has been previously unexplored," said Capt. Brian Kitching, commander, B Co.,1/64 AR.
Infantry Soldiers must be able to be physically fit with enough endurance to maintain energy required for sustained movements over great distances and elevation, stated Capt. Kitching.
Soldiers must also have coordination and mental agility during these conditions to move swiftly from cover to cover on the battlefield.
"It sounds easy but remember this is all done while carrying a full combat load, additional weapons and equipment, a casualty under fire while still having enough energy to carry out high impact Infantry maneuvers on the battlefield," said 1st Lt. Harry Chamberlin, executive officer, Co. B, 1/64 AR. "This training will allow our Bayonet Soldiers to be able to complete any mission and defeat any enemy no matter how tough or demanding the environment or circumstances."
The Functional Athlete Spartan Training empowers leaders at the squad level to execute challenging training every day, sometimes two times a day.
Part of the training also includes education. Soldiers need to know on how to maintain a nutritious lifestyle and make choices that will help shape them into the most lethal and survivable combat machines they can possibly be, stated Capt. Kitching.
"After completing this training, our Soldiers will have the power, agility, balance, and coordination to move under fire without risking unnecessary injury to himself or his comrades.
Soldiers who successfully go through training will not only be physically fit but will also be able to meet the ultimate test that challenges every Infantry Soldier the test combat," Capt. Kitching said.
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