Soldiers train for Ranger School preparation amidst pandemic

Photo By Sgt. Andrew McNeil | Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, weigh their rucksacks before the event, while participating in the battalion's Ranger School preparation program. Soldiers used face masks and maintained social distancing as they worked toward sustaining their physical readiness during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

FORT STEWART, GA, UNITED STATES

04.21.2020

Story by Sgt. Andrew McNeil 

3rd Infantry Division

The sun peeked over the horizon illuminating the asphalt as Soldiers began to line up into two columns one on each side of the road. The Soldiers diligently made sure to maintain a minimum distance of 6-feet from each other. The columns gradually moved closer to the starting line as a voice yelled out “GO” every thirty seconds.

Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, completed a 4-mile ruck April 16, while adhering to the CDC guidance of social distancing and face mask usage during the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of the battalion’s Ranger School preparation program.

“These Soldiers are investing in their sweat equity,” said Capt. Douglas Sparrow, officer-in-charge of the program. “The ultimate goal of this program is to create better prepared men and women and Soldiers in physical and mental preparedness.”

Though precautions are in place to minimize the risks of COVID-19, the program has not wavered in its goals. The Ranger-qualified instructors adapted the program to fit the new guidelines of public health and safety.

Instead of having formations every day, the instructors of the program required the Soldiers to report to two informal group workouts each week: one on Tuesday and the other on Thursday. The workouts on those days are rucks or runs and are done with a focus on individual improvement, Sparrow said.

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays the Soldiers in the program workout on their own. They are required to record the workout using a fitness monitoring device, such as a heart rate monitor, or a fitness app of their choosing. They share their completed workouts in a group chat.

Soldiers in the program have been using installation resources including the Quick Track, various pull-up and dip bars and BeaverFit equipment at the Newman Fitness Center.

“We are still accountable for our physical readiness, mental readiness, and health readiness,” said Staff Sgt. Miguel Zarate, a Bradley Fighting Vehicle System maintainer participating in the program.

Though things in the world may be slowing down due to travel bans and quarantine
requirements, the Army is always moving forward, Zarate said. That is why it is important for Soldiers to maintain their overall readiness.

The Ranger-qualified instructors embody the Ranger Creed through their willingness to help Soldiers maintain, develop and sharpen their skills.

• Date Taken: 04.21.2020
• Date Posted: 04.21.2020 10:07
• Story ID: 367940
• Location: FORT STEWART, GA, US
• Hometown: HINESVILLE, GA, US
• Hometown: SAVANNAH, GA, US