PRESIDIO OF MONTERY, Calif. - On the running track outside the Price Fitness Center here, a sergeant of slight build and resembles what some may consider dorky (at least according to his wife) is conducting a physical training session for squad members.

B Co. 229th Military Intelligence Battalion's Sgt. Derek Williams' mission is to raise the Soldiers' fitness level when they have to take their Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT).

Not because he is a noncommissioned officer and a leader, but because his leaders know he can take the APFT and not only pass, but excel. "I like leading PT and helping Soldiers improve their PT scores," Derek said.

Pvt. Jake A. Neven, also with B Co., agreed with his leaders after running with Derek. "He is one of the fastest and a good example of what a sergeant should be," Neven said.

Derek steers clear of titles like "PT stud" and simply credits his fitness to just wanting to live well and make constructive use of his time.

"(Exercise) keeps you sharp and makes you feel good," he said. "I also don't like feeling lazy."

However, being in shape can also be credited to bringing another important figure into his life; his wife, Sgt. Courtney Williams.

"When we first met we hated each other," he said.

Courtney, a squad leader with A Co. 229th Military Intelligence Battalion, agreed. "We were in the same platoon together during Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Huachuca, Ariz." she said. "We competed with each other for the top spot there and we both (earned) the APFT badge," she added.

(To earn an APFT badge, a Soldier must make at least 90 points on a 100 point scale in three events; push-ups, sit-ups and a two-mile run.)

As if in a romantic comedy or twist of fate, the two ended up in the same company at Fort Hood, Texas.

"I remember getting picked up from the airport by a friend of mine and heard honking on the drive over to Fort Hood," she said.

When she realized it was Derek, her first statement to her friend was "Oh that's Derek, I hate that guy."

"But we ended up becoming best friends and eventually got married," she said smiling. She said one of the reasons she was attracted to him was the fact that he consistently was a top APFT scorer, something they both had in common.

The other was for something a little bit more embarrassing. "He would have these laughing fits that were so bad that he would fall out of his chair or be asked to leave his classroom during AIT," Courtney said.

"That's what initially drew my attention to him," she said. She added that he has since stopped having laughing fits as his confidence grew.

"But we complement each other; he is weak in his push-ups, strong in his run and for me (vice-versa)," she said. "So we help each other with our weaknesses."

"But he always smokes me in PT," she admits.

The Williams enjoy exercising and running together with their two-year-old daughter Brooke Williams. "He will have the running stroller and my daughter will just fall asleep," she said.

However, during their time here, they have been doing this less often than they would like.

Having hectic schedules, demanding class work, and their responsibilities as noncommissioned officers while taking care of their daughter "makes it tough", she said. "But our companies have been great with our family-care plans and considerate of our family and our daughters needs," she said.

"While we might be able to run maybe once a week, we talk about it a lot," said Derek. "It's important to us and we don't like being lazy."

His ability to take care of his tasks and his family is also what endeared him to his Soldiers.

"He's a good guy, I respect him," said Nevens. "He takes care of his kid, treats his wife with respect, and if we have any problems he will do his best to help."

So much is he devoted to his family and their fitness he already has track plans for his daughter and constantly asks his wife questions about her feet.

"He asked me if our daughter had high arches and I had to tell him that they aren't fully developed yet," she said laughing.

Derek also has another familial reason to excel in the APFT; his father James Williams. A retired infantry first sergeant, James often compares their PT when they talk.

"He makes fun of me, because of my weakness in push-ups," Derek said. That doesn't mean the Humble, Texas native doesn't try.

"He will do (different kinds of) push-ups to improve his score," Courtney said.

"He knows if he doesn't keep at it, his score will drop (considerably)." Even though he is known to be strong in the APFT, he never feels the need to show any type of physical prowess to prove himself.

"He's kind of shy, reserved and looks kind of dorky," Courtney said. "He doesn't have to be macho like most military guys and is comfortable in his own skin without feeling the need to show off," she added.

For Derek and his family, spending as much time as possible together is very important. "He will never leave me behind when I feel lazy but will wait for me for a run," she said. "And I love him for that."

"Well, at the time I hated it, but it was good for me and now I see it as a good thing," she added laughing.