FORT IRWIN, Calif. -- According to current statistics, the bottom 25 percent of the Army has issues meeting required standards or is borderline to meeting them. Fortunately, the personnel who make up the Fort Irwin Army Wellness Center (AWC) teams are highly trained, motivated professionals who can seriously impact Soldier readiness, improve health and help service members to meet -- and exceed -- those same standards.
The mission focus of the Fort Irwin Army Wellness Center, co-located in the Resiliency Center is first and foremost to increase the readiness of local service members and work to improve the health of the Total Army Family (ATF), a job they take very seriously.
"We get a lot of inquiries from Soldiers who recently become more active, you want to do well on their PT tests, or want to improve their overall health." said Fort Irwin AWC Project Lead Andrew Munsterman, "Our staff provides answers and solutions. Our comprehensive and state of the art fitness assessments includes detailed health risk evaluations, blood pressure, resting heart rate, body composition, VO2* max, and strength and flexibility testing."
"A lot of people think that cardio is the only way to go to get leaner and lose weight. Resistance training helps to burn more calories, lose fat, increase bone density and lower risk factors for disease," said Munsterman, "and increasing flexibility helps you improve your range of motion, posture and balance" said Munsterman.
" Our focus is on providing results to benefit the service member who wants to improve performance, of course, but we also help family members who want to improve their overall health," said Munstermann "and the best part: it's absolutely free -- no cost at all! These same tests would cost thousands in the private sector!" he said.
AWC services open to Active Duty, Family members (over 18), retirees, and DOD civilians
The Fort Irwin AWC, which was newly opened in November, is in a unique position to leverage all of the benefits of the Resiliency Center offers "The Box" Crossfit gym. Together, they will be adding the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program offering soldiers even more tools to stay ready and resilient.
"The Army is moving from a system of health care that treats illness to one that focuses on prevention and wellness. The Army Performance Triad is proving to be an important key in making that move successful." said Col. Jason Wieman, Commander Weed Army Community Hospital.
The Performance Triad, according to Army Medicine, seeks to create a system of behaviors that will support Soldier performance and overall unit readiness and effect a lifestyle of healthy behaviors not just for Soldiers, but their families as well.
"It's about encouraging and promoting Soldier readiness through a more active, healthy and fulfilling lifestyle where health and fitness occur -- how we balance sleep with work, how active we are, and what foods we eat." said Wieman. "The AWCs make that easier for the Soldier."
ABOUT THE FORT IRWIN ARMY WELLNESS CENTER
AWC services open to Active Duty, Family members (over 18), retirees, and DOD civilians.
The AWC is scheduled to incorporate phase two of the Army's Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program beginning 1 May, 2016, offering Soldiers more tools to stay ready and resilient. To make an appointment at the AWC, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 4 p.m. telephone 760-380-7373.
To learn more about the Army Wellness Center on Fort Irwin and get tips and articles of interest on health and wellness visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/awcfortirwin.
*What is VO2? The basic definition of VO2 max is the maximum amount of oxygen a person's body can use during exercise. It is a combination of how much oxygen the lungs can take in, converts into the bloodstream and then pumped throughout the body by the heart and how efficient your muscles are in consuming and converting that oxygen for use. The VO2 test shows the level of cardiorespiratory fitness and gives the Fort Irwin AWC staff data to help improve it.
To learn more about the people and facilities of the Weed Army Community Hospital and the National Training Center at Fort Irwin visit the WACH website at www.irwin.amedd.army.mil.
Related Links:
Weed Army Community Hospital on Facebook
Weed Army Community Hospital on Flickr
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