The 'weigh' he was

Photo By Staff Sgt. David McLean | Army Sgt. 1st Class Danny Carreras, Army Sgt. 1st Class Guillermo Santiago and Army Master Sgt. Orlando Negron, service members deployed here with the 525th Military Police Battalion in support of Joint Task Force Guantanamo, walk as part of a daily exercise routine to promote health and weight loss, Aug. 27. Santiago, the Camp America commandant for JTF Guantanamo, has lost more than 50 pounds during his deployment to U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. JTF Guantanamo conducts safe, humane, legal and transparent care and custody of detainees, including those convicted by military commission and those ordered released by a court. The JTF conducts intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination for the protection of detainees and personnel working in JTF Guantanamo facilities and in support of the War on Terror. JTF Guantanamo provides support to the Office of Military Commissions, to law enforcement and to war crimes investigations. The JTF conducts planning for and, on order, responds to Caribbean mass migration operations.  

09.04.2009

Story by Sgt. David McLean 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

Before coming to Joint Task Force Guantanamo, Army Sgt. 1st Class Guillermo Santiago wanted to lose weight. At more than 300 pounds, the Camp America commandant had to get within body mass index tolerances to be deployed to U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay with Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 525th Military Police Battalion. With a change in his diet and exercise habits, he has been able to shed 50 pounds and presses forward to lose even more weight.

Santiago said his weight loss was spurred by a desire to promote up the ranks and a hard look at the model of leadership he presents.

"I'm a senior non-commissioned officer and we are supposed to lead by example," Santiago said. "How are you going to provide leadership to young service members when you can't be the example of the standards? I felt bad about myself and it wasn't easy talking to people. Requesting my service members to take the Army Physical Fitness Test and look professional in their uniform was difficult when I was the example."

Now, Santiago is becoming a better example — by dropping two uniform sizes and increasing his exercise routine. He doesn't credit his success to himself, but says support from his command and close friends has helped him succeed.

"He wanted to go to a school," said Army Capt. Manuel Rodriguez, the HHC commander. "He had to get down to the Army body mass index standard of 26 percent. He picked up the pace and he did it. I talked to him, gave him tips, but I take my hat off to [Army Master Sgt. Orlando] Negron for being there with him the whole time."

Army Master Sgt. Orlando Negron, non-commissioned officer in charge of operations rotations for HHC, said he invited Santiago to be an exercise partner and has not left his side in the process. He said his role is to offer advice and support for Santiago and push him to meet his goals.

"Santiago wanted to lose weight and pass his APFT," Negron said. "I try to motivate him by telling him to imagine reaching his regulation weight, how proud his wife will be of him and how good his uniform will look on him. He just needs the motivation from outside."

Santiago, Negron and others have been walking increasing distances daily, participating in team sports and working out in the gym to increase strength.

"At first, they were short walks of about two to three miles," Santiago said. "Now I can walk up to 12 miles. I use some of the free weights and the Nautilus machines too. I am running again up to one mile at my own pace, I do a little swimming and play basketball with the guys."

The exercise has only been one part of the equation for Santiago, as he needs to control what and how much he eats.

"In my Puerto Rican heritage, we fry a lot of food and eat many sweets," Santiago said. "I had to modify my eating habits. Now I'm eating a lot of salad, white meats and I cut out the desserts. Before, I used to eat two plates of rice and beans and now I have to watch myself."

Santiago said his diet and exercise plan will continue to be a part of his life so he can accomplish his mission here, and anywhere he is sent in the world.

"Our mission with the War on Terror has shifted from Iraq to Afghanistan," Santiago said. "Leaders from all levels — and their service members — need to be in good physical condition. It is not an easy place to conduct operations, so it is important for the service members to keep the highest level of physical readiness that they can."

As he sweats away more pounds in his quest to become a more fit Soldier, Santiago said he is looking forward to going home to Puerto Rico in a few months. The only thing he will leave behind is his old, oversized uniforms.

• Date Taken: 09.04.2009
• Date Posted: 09.09.2009 16:19
• Story ID: 38513