Photo By Laurie Pearson | Julie Felix, a former law enforcement officer and now a civilian supply clerk aboard...... read more read more
BARSTOW, Calif. - Whether at the gym, in a box, or running the streets, some police officers with the Marine Corps Police Department aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif., embrace a family dynamic.
Civilian police officers working for MCLB Barstow represent the Marine Corps which sets them apart from other civilian police agencies, explained Tom Streeter, lead law enforcement instructor on base with Homeland Security Solutions Inc. Members of the Special Reaction Team, for instance, have to exceed standard police Physical Agility Test standards and instead pass the Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test, and the Combat Fitness Test in order to ensure that those officers are prepared for the arduous tasks they may face.
In a standard PAT for law enforcement, officers must complete timed events of a 300 meter sprint, pushups, sit-ups, a dummy drag and a 1 1/2 mile run. For the PFT the sprint and dummy drag are dropped, and the rest of the test consists of a max set of pullups, a max set of crunches in two minutes, and then a three mile timed run. The CFT adds a diverse set of elements, such as an 880 yard sprint, 30 pound ammo can lift for as many repetitions as possible, a movement-under-fire drill which includes a low and high crawl, body drag and fireman carry as well as a grenade toss.
“The PFT and CFT are a lot more strenuous,” said Cpl. Lonnie Marney, a member of SRT on MCLB Barstow, originally from La Pine, Oregon. For patrol officers, gear such as vests, duty belt and boots can weigh 25 to 40 pounds. For members of SRT, there may be an additional 40 pounds worth of gear to carry.
“Each team member needs to be physically and mentally prepared at all times,” said Cpl. Rigoberto Felix with SRT, and a Paramount, Calif., native. “You never know when you might end up carrying a ballistic shield, sledge hammer, entry tools, all while carrying your personal equipment. No one really knows how long a high risk scenario might be and that’s why we need to be ready for worst case (scenarios).”
The benefits of exercise are not limited to their work life, however. Both Marney and Felix take their workouts home and to their families.
“It’s something my wife and I attend together,” said Felix, referring to the Crossfit gym they attend together near their home in Hesperia, Calif. The box, which is what most Crossfit gyms call their facilities, even offers classes for kids to enjoy. On May 25th, in honor of Memorial Day, Felix and his wife Julie, a former police officer and now a civilian supply clerk aboard MCLB Barstow, participated in an event called The Murph Challenge 2015. Crossfit gyms across the country engaged in the event to raise awareness for military veterans. The Murph is a workout named after Lt. Michael P. Murphy, a highly decorated Navy Seal who was killed in the line of duty, and whose awards include the Medal of Honor. To complete The Murph Challenge 2015, participants had to complete a one mile run, 100 pullups, 200 pushups, 300 squats and another one mile run… all while wearing a 20 pound vest or body armor. Rigo completed the challenge, complete with weighted vest in 58 minutes and 44 seconds. His wife, Julie, seven months pregnant at the time of the challenge, skipped the vest and modified some of the moves, completing the challenge in 49 minutes and 59 seconds.
On May 2nd of this year, Marney and his 12 year old daughter, Nicole, competed in a 5K run raising funds for Rancho Middle School in Hesperia, Calif. He finished the run in 24 minutes, 18 seconds and Nicole finished the run in 31 minutes, 2 seconds. Nicole is an avid cross country runner for her school, and to ensure she stays in good running condition, she joins her father on runs a few times a week. Marney’s other two children, eight year old Amanda and six year old Justin also join dad at home when it is time to do pushups, sit-ups and sprints in the yard. Their form may not be perfect, said Marney, but their heart is in it.
Both Marney and Felix explain that in addition to general fitness, it is their goal to stay fit in order to be around to see their kids grow up and have kids of their own. They also agree that it is about teaching their children healthy lifestyles, to include healthy food choices and ensuring that they stay active.
For Marney and Felix household, there are no good excuses for neglecting physical conditioning. Coworkers depend on them to be able to do their jobs and their families grow stronger as they enjoy working out together.
***This article if the fourth of four in a series about fitness***
| Date Taken: | 06.10.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.10.2015 16:10 |
| Story ID: | 166162 |
| Location: | BARSTOW, CA, US |
| Hometown: | DES MOINES, IA, US |
| Hometown: | LA PINE, OR, US |
| Hometown: | PARAMOUNT, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 109 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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