Photo By Clemens Gaines | As more than 100 Soldiers and civilians look on, APG Senior Commander Maj. Gen....... read more read more
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ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. – With the theme music from the movie “Rocky” pounding out, more than 100 Soldiers and civilians poured into the renovated and updated APG North gym Jan. 30 to begin using the $350,000 in new equipment.
“This is state-of-the-art equipment,” said APG Senior Commander Maj. Gen. Mitchell Kilgo, as he and Brig. Gen. James Bonner, 20th CBRNE Command commanding general, and Garrison Commander Col. Timothy Druell, cut the ribbon for the area of new equipment.
20th CBRNE soldiers stand to greatly benefit from this new addition of equipment. As the command with the largest number of soldiers on APG, the 250 20th CBRNE Soldiers stationed on APG will now have a dedicated Army Combat Fitness Test training area.
The ACFT is designed to improve Soldier and unit readiness, transform the Army’s fitness culture, reduce preventable injuries and attrition, and enhance mental toughness and stamina. The Army believes the new exam will ensure Soldiers are ready today and are more lethal in the future.
With the Army set to make the ACFT the Army physical test of record by October 2020, 20th CBRNE Soldiers are transforming their physical routines to fit the new physical events. Safety guidance posters for all types of physical activity are posted in the renovated APG North gym as Soldiers and civilians begin to use the equipment.
The six events of the ACFT include a three-repetition strength deadlift, a standing power throw, hand release push-up-arm extension, a 250 meter sprint-drag-carry, a leg tuck and a two-mile run.
This new equipment provided by APG now allows 20th CBRNE Soldiers to effectively prepare for each of these ACFT events. For example, throwing the 10 lb. medicine ball over your head supports the standing power throw; all of the strength equipment supports the three-rep strength deadlift, and the bars support practicing the leg tuck, one of the most challenging parts of the ACFT. Anyone authorized to use the Aberdeen Athletic Center can use this equipment.
According to APG officials, work to upgrade its physical fitness facilities will continue over the course of 2020. Work will begin soon on an AstroTurf multipurpose field at Fanshaw Field. The estimated completion date is December 2020.
The APG North Athletic Center is open 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends. Authorized ID card holders are also eligible for 24-hour access. For more information on the new equipment area, call 410-278-7934.
(Jon Bleiweis, APG News, contributed to this story)
| Date Taken: | 01.31.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 02.05.2020 12:18 |
| Story ID: | 361271 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 137 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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