Reconditioning program keeps ‘Maintainers’ fit to fight

Photo By Sgt. Sarah Bailey | Col. Christopher Hughes, 3rd Infantry Division Deputy Commanding General for Maneuver, thanks Sgt. Jessica Hornes, with Company C, 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division for her hard work and dedication to the Maintainer Battalion’s Reconditioning Physical Training Program, June 22 at Fort Stewart, Ga. The reconditioning program is designed to help Troops heal faster from injuries so they can return to their units more quickly and continue mission requirements.  

FORT STEWART, GA, UNITED STATES

06.22.2012

Story by Spc. Sarah Bailey 

4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

FORT STEWART, Ga. -- Having a healthy, well-conditioned unit is a top priority for the ‘Maintainers’ of the 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. That’s why soldiers with injuries are placed in the unit’s Reconditioning Physical Training Program designed to help Troops heal faster so they can return to their units and continue mission.

The reconditioning program, which was created about seven months ago, is led by 1st Lt. Alyson McWherter, Company C, 703rd BSB, and Staff Sgt. Horace Bright, with Headquarters and Headquarters Company.

“Our goal from the beginning has been to rehabilitate soldiers back to the fight as quickly and effectively as possible,” McWherter said.
The soldiers enrolled in the program are divided into categories based on their degree of injury and physical limitations. This allows the soldiers to avoid causing further damage to their current injury while maintaining their physical fitness—thus encouraging a quicker recovery.

3rd Infantry Division Deputy Commanding General for Maneuver, Col. Christopher Hughes, presented McWherter, Bright and four of their instructors: Sgt. Isabel Ruiz, HHC; Sgt. Jessica Hornes, Company C; Sgt. Chandra Williams and Spc. Kimberly Knox, Company A, with coins June 22. Hughes witnessed the program first-hand at the 4th IBCT fitness facility and said he was impressed with not only the organization of the program but also the intensity and variety the instructors brought to the soldiers.

“It was an honor to be recognized for our hard work,” Ruiz said. “None of us knew he had seen us; we were just doing our job.”

The instructors and soldiers associated with the 703rd BSB reconditioning program have set a new standard for future programs and said that their hard work and commitment has contributed to its success.

• Date Taken: 06.22.2012
• Date Posted: 06.26.2012 08:24
• Story ID: 90595
• Location: FORT STEWART, GA, US