The Army Training Center recently bolstered the Civilian Fitness and Wellness Program to improve job satisfaction and reduce sick leave among civilian employees.

CFWP is an on-site command sponsored program available to the civilian workforce that looks at increasing an employee's entire fitness level though health screenings, nutrition, stress management, weight control, tobacco cessation, social and spiritual fitness programs, and the performance triad.

"That program promotes a healthier lifestyle with civilians," said Carol McCoy, a human resource specialist with the Army Training Center and Fort Jackson. "With the downsizing and the (operational tempo) that we keep there are a lot of mental and physical stressors that civilians encounter."

The six-month program is rooted in Department of Defense Instruction 1010.10 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and Army Regulation 600-63 Army Health Promotion.

Maj. Gen. Pete Johnson, Fort Jackson senior commander, wrote in Fort Jackson Policy Memorandum #14 -- Civilian Fitness and Wellness Program that he encourages "each of you (Fort Jackson leadership) to make civilian wellness a priority and develop a program that will meet the intent outlined in this policy for the betterment of your unit, personnel, and the overall morale and esprit de corps of the Fort Jackson Team."

You will see "a healthier civilian workforce, better job satisfaction, and productivity and performance increases," McCoy said. "It's a win-win situation for the civilians."

The wellness program allows an employee enrolled in the program to take three hours per week, approved by their supervisors, to attend classes, workout and participate in health related programs, she added.

Capt. Renzie Rahim with Moncrief Army Health Clinic's Preventative Medicine Office said employees must first contact their supervisors to get approval before contacting him and Jerri Kershaw to schedule an orientation.

Employees must take an orientation class, a nutrition class conducted by a clinical nutritionist and an exercise class, before entering the program. Employees will also undergo a health screening to determine if they are healthy enough to be in the program. An employee can only enter the program once.

Orientations are held between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. the first Wednesday of every month in the Victory Conference Room on Moncrief's third floor.

The purpose of the program is "not just about the numbers" but to incorporate how the employee's job performance has improved, Rahim said.

The CFWP is a collaborative process with employees, supervisors and health professionals. Employees work out their schedules with their supervisors while health professionals collaborate with supervisors to track employee performance. Rahim and other health officials work with supervisors to provide feedback and to ensure the program is working effectively.

"Some of the stuff we ask the supervisors is; does your employee appear happier or have higher morale, or look less stressed at work after participating in the program?" Rahim added. "Are they able to finish off strong at the end of the work shift?"

Those things aren't just about losing weight they show a holistic approach to employee wellness.

Civilian employees are eligible for the program after working 90 days with ATC, have worked at a high standard, have no leave restrictions or verbal or written reprimands, and have not been suspended or demoted for misconduct or poor performance 15 months prior to joining the CFWP.

McCoy said she recommends to employees to join the CFWP. "What do you have to lose?" she asked. "You are getting subject matter experts in exercises and nutrition.

For more information contact Rahim at 751-5251 or email Kershaw at jerri.l.kershaw.civ@mail.mil. Detailed information regarding the CFWP can be found in Fort Jackson Policy Memorandum #13 -- USATC Civilian Fitness and Wellness Program.