SAN ANTONIO, Texas (May 7, 2018)- The month of May marks the eighth year of the Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation's Strong B.A.N.D.S campaign.
The annual campaign promotes healthy lifestyles among Soldiers, families and other MWR patrons. This year's theme focuses on the program's acronym, the key elements of fitness and a healthy lifestyle: balance, activity, nutrition, determination and strength.
"This isn't just about lifting weights, strength training or running, it encompasses programs all across MWR. The objective is to get people moving whether it is bowling, Zumba, hiking and the list goes on," Carole Herr, Strong B.A.N.D.S coordinator, said.
In 2010 the Office of the Secretary of Defense completed a fitness survey with findings that Soldiers and families want to be healthy and are looking for opportunities but are not sure what is good for them. As a result, Herr and her team partnered with the Human Performance Research Center. HPRC provided physical fitness and health education tips, helping to launch B.A.N.D.S.
The month-long event raises awareness of programs that are already established at garrisons to increase participation and excitement for a healthy lifestyle.
"We aren't looking to create more programs; we are highlighting the numerous programs garrisons offer in their facilities every day," Herr said.
Partakers can participate in activities ranging from taking a workout class at the gym to outdoor recreation activities.
"For our small community, Strong B.A.N.D.S unites the total Army family with events and activities. New friendships are created and new interests are developed, plus it gives the FMWR an opportunity to showcase our facilities and our staffs," Steve Ward, recreation supervisor at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground, said.
Last year, over 49,000 individuals participated among 78 locations world-wide. Partakers shared their contribution through social media using the hashtag #StrongBANDS.
"Fort Hunter Liggett is a small military installation located in a remote area. Strong B.A.N.D.S. has been a morale booster for our FMWR staff as it allows it to be part of a program that involves installations Army-wide," Mark Hernandez, sports and fitness director at Fort Hunter Liggett, said.
So far in 2018, there are over 300 program areas available from toddler story walks at the library, kinder Olympics with Child Youth Services to fun runs and walks, just to name a few. Local events can be found through garrisons or the Strong B.A.N.D.S website.
"We offer such a wide variety of programs here that there's something new to try for kids and adults to promote life-long learning and life-long health. We're promoting health and wellness in positive, encouraging ways that leads right to fostering resiliency," Shawn Friend-Begin, library director at U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz, said.
Garrisons received black and gold wrist bands to reward program participants as well as t-shirts that promote the new Army Combat Readiness Test. The ACRT challenges Soldiers in a six-event fitness test with emphasis on speed, agility, strength, endurance and explosive power.
Additionally, Strong B.A.N.D.S is hosting a weekly contest with fitness prizes through the Family MWR Facebook page. Every Tuesday a trivia question is posted and a winner is chosen at random from the correct answers in the comments.
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