Photo By Sgt. Michael Baltz | Florida National Guard 1st Lt. Nicky Trieu, with the 53rd Brigade Support Battalion,...... read more read more
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Physical fitness is a key component of the ‘Total Soldier Concept.’ For Soldiers to be able to successfully complete any mission, physical readiness is essential.
Florida National Guard Soldiers responding to and supporting community-based testing sites across the state continue to stay focused on the physical fitness component in this dynamic time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“During this time of uncertainty, keep on running,” said 1st Lt. Nicky Trieu, with the 53rd Brigade Support Battalion. “Physical fitness is not only about building your endurance or cardio; it is about developing character.”
Soldiers with the 53rd BSB are supporting the Palm Beach County’s CBTS during the day and focused on developing their character in their downtime. Some Soldiers perform body weight workouts in their hotel room, others run along nearby sidewalks and a few lift weights in the makeshift gym, which is a hotel conference room.
“We didn’t know where we would end up,” said 1st Sgt. Casey Ducharme, with the 53rd BSB. “We just knew wherever we ended up, we would bring our equipment to workout with when we can.”
Although physical fitness is important, Ducharme is conscious of the Center for Disease Control guidelines and the correct way to manage social distancing. He directs his Soldiers to respect these guides by working out in different areas, by providing them ways to sanitize the equipment and by encouraging Soldiers to perform non-traditional exercises.
“We are taking the proper precautions out in the [drive-thru CBTS] lanes, and we are bringing that same mentality in all other components of our mission,” said Ducharme. “We have sanitizing spray to wipe down equipment after use, and we practice social distancing.”
Fostering the environment for Soldiers to exercise allows the creation of a battle rhythm and provides valuable team building opportunities while enabling them focus on the mission of physical fitness.
“I feel like it is expected,” said Pvt. Christian Bones with the 53rd BSB. “One of our jobs is to be expected to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test, and we need to work out to be able to complete that mission.”
Regardless of expectations, Soldiers with the 53rd BSB encourage one another to reach their fitness goals. The chaplain’s assistant helped setup a fun-run, Spc. Mike Reinhardt, with 53rd BSB, helps junior Soldiers with their weightlifting form, and Trieu reinforces to fellow Soldiers that quitting is never an option.
“What keeps me running is the development of my own personal fortitude,” said Trieu. “My goal is to never give up. I might slow down, but I never give up. I would never stop. It is a commitment to who I am as a Soldier.”
| Date Taken: | 04.13.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 04.13.2020 13:44 |
| Story ID: | 367237 |
| Location: | WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 113 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, FLNG Staying Fit During COVID-19, by SGT Michael Baltz, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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