Recently, Army Medicine Ambassador Sgt. 1st Class Sean A. Green interviewed Lt. Gen. Michael X. Garrett, Commander of U.S. Army Central (USARCENT). Green is a mobility and air operations sergeant at USARCENT G4.
The famed lineage of USARCENT goes back to the Third U.S. Army, established during the First World War and commanded by Gen. George S. Patton, Jr., during World War II.
Garrett discussed the importance of physical fitness and readiness with Green; Garrett places great emphasis on fitness and always takes time to impress upon others the necessity of taking care of one's health.
Physical fitness and medical readiness are taught at USARCENT as critical priorities necessary for warfighters to accomplish their individual and organizational missions--no matter where duty takes them, Garrett said. A Soldier's level of physical fitness impacts overall health, job performance, and morale within organizations. At USARCENT, fitness is necessary and falls squarely within the Army and Army Medicine's readiness and health priority.
Garrett said that Secretary of the Army Mark T. Esper and Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Mark Milley have readiness as a top priority, and Army readiness begins with individual readiness.
Soldiers must maintain their health and be physically prepared to deploy, fight, and win our country's wars, Garrett said. Tough physical training builds resilience and reflects the discipline of the individual, he said. Hard training also contributes to the Army's winning culture by building confidence and enhancing esprit de corp. This starts with leaders, Garrett said, "Our Soldiers deserve leaders that can set the example and lead from the front."
Garrett was asked how he maintained his personal fitness and what his advice to other Soldiers would be. Garrett explained that consistency in both individual and organizational programs was important for improving overall fitness. Consistency is a sign of discipline, and discipline produces results and shapes every aspect of a Soldiers life.
"You also can't forget to eat healthy foods, hydrate properly, and get a good night's sleep," Garrett said. Soldiers have to respect the entire Performance Triad--sleep, activity, and nutrition--to see results in physical fitness.
Garrett also encourages the use of master fitness trainers and Army wellness centers to get the most out of fitness programs.
Garrett discussed how he saw physical readiness in the future given the complex and changing world of the multi-domain battlefield. He stated that the need for Soldiers to maintain their health and remain physically fit might be the one thing that doesn't change. Readiness will remain a priority, he said, and physical fitness is the cornerstone. It provides the foundation that makes a Soldier successful. Fitness is important whether you on the battlefield or need the stamina to remain alert during an important meeting, he said.
Soldiers must be prepared and ready to fight in an operational environment that is austere and lethal. A Soldier's physical fitness regimen must ensure that it contributes to becoming even more agile, mobile, and adaptive to survive in combat. Garrett believes this and ensures that all of his Soldiers in USARCENT understand the importance of maintaining their readiness and health.
Most importantly, Garrett leads by example when it comes to maintaining his physical fitness. Under his direction, USARCENT is celebrating "A Century of Constant Readiness" by reflecting on the qualities that made it great--"Strength, Service, and Honor"--with 100 Days of Strength from Jan. 3 through April 13.
As part of 100 Days of Strength, USARCENT will host fitness events, lunch and learns, and share wellness tips to help motivate active duty personnel, families, and the entire USARCENT community to commit to changes and new habits that enhance the health and well-being of themselves and others they care about.
Strength at USARCENT is not just physical training--it's also promoting spiritual, mental, and relational fitness. Soldiers, family members, civilians and USARCENT or Third Army veterans are invited to participate.
You can join the celebration of strength, history, and readiness. Information is available at www.usarcent.army.mil/USARCENT100.
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The Army Medicine Ambassador Program is a strategic engagement initiative and formal program to tell the Army Medicine and Army Health Readiness story. The program enhances relationships with students, the rest of the military, business and civic leaders, academia, industry, family readiness groups, and foreign dignitaries through positive and informative engagements.
Sean Green served in the Warrior Transition Unit cadre at Fort Meade, Md., and Bethesda Naval Hospital from Oct. 2012 to Mar. 2015. During that time, he dedicated himself to the healthcare community and the Wounded Warriors he served. He served as the WTU's master resiliency trainer, master fitness trainer, Performance Triad advocate, applied suicide intervention skills trainer, and sexual harassment/assault prevention victim advocate.
When Green learned of the role of an Army Medicine Ambassador, he asked his Battalion Commander for the opportunity and the role of ambassador was delegated to him. His extreme interest and passion for telling the Army Medicine's story allows him to engage audiences on topics pertaining to health, fitness, resiliency, and overall readiness for the Warfighter. When he's not advocating or promoting health and wellness, his regular job is logistical planning and execution for USARCENT G4.
Army Medicine Ambassadors highlight the fact that Army Medicine is America's premiere medical team, and share good news about Army Medicine and the service they provide to our Soldiers, their families and the communities they live in and serve. You are invited to learn more about the Army Medicine Ambassador Program:
https://armymedicine.health.mil/Regional-Health-Commands/Office-of-the-Surgeon-General/Ambassador-Program
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