FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Soldiers from units across 10th Mountain Division (LI) graduated April 16 from the U.S. Army Master Fitness Trainer Course at Monti Physical Fitness Center. More than 45 Soldiers attended the class from March 24 through April 16.

The Master Fitness Trainer Course (MFTC) is a Department of the Army four-week resident and mobile training team course designated to train selected noncommissioned officers and com- missioned officers in all aspects of the Army's Physical Training System.

"The course had physical training in the morning and academic education during the afternoon," said 1st Lt. Daniell Caeson, team leader for MFTC's Physical Fitness School. "During the academic instruction, Soldiers were educated on … exercise science, basic skeletal anatomy, exercise physiology and performance nutrition.

"Upon successful completion, graduates will receive the 6P (officer) and (P5) Army Skill Identifier, and (they) can be unit advisers on physical readiness issues, and monitor unit and individual physical readiness programs," he added.

Currently, there are six mobile training teams, each consisting of four civilians and one military team leader. These teams operate 11 months out of the year. Caeson and other members of team four -- Cory Schierberl, Andrew Fennell, Alex Hoffman and Matthew Evans -- were assigned to the training at Fort Drum.

In implementing the new PRT program, Caeson said he has faced mixed reviews.

"A lot of the push-back we receive and hear about simply comes from people not liking change," Caeson said. "We've been doing FM 21-20 Physical Fitness for years now, and it's what people are used to. A lot of other people complain that PRT is not challenging enough for them."

Precision is a very important principle of PRT, and once Soldiers learn to execute these exercises with precise movements, they will discover that the exercises can in fact be very challenging and beneficial, he added.

After the four-week course, Caeson's team said that they always notice a significant change of opinion about PRT from the first day of class and graduation.

"Soldiers take it much more seriously after learning how to properly execute the exercises and drills," said Schierberl, MFTC instructor.

Gregory Sato, 10th Mountain Division (LI) training coordinator, oversaw some of the training at Monti Physical Fitness Center, and he said he takes this type of training seriously.

"Fort Drum is like any other Army installation in that as we draw down from Afghanistan, our Soldiers will continue to train to be prepared for whatever environment they are called to serve in," Sato said. "As we rely more on digital technology, Soldiers need to get the training necessary to use the most up-to-date equipment."

Sato added that MTTs will continue coming to Fort Drum to train Soldiers.

This in turn, will save the Army and the installation money while allowing Soldiers to train and stay home with their Families.

Soldiers who are interested in the MFTC or any of the many courses offered at Fort Drum should contact their unit's school NCO.