LEADERS TAKE ACFT
Pfc. Juan Carlos Izquierdo
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait -- U.S. Army Soldiers in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait got together with a few key leaders to take the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), March 19, 2021.
“It goes to speak toward Army leadership, we’re a ‘throw our rucksack on our back, first into the breach and last into chow’ kind of leadership,” Col. John Herrman, commander of Area Support Group Kuwait said. “But I mean as a Soldier, it’s also my duty to be out here. If me being here motivates Soldiers, that’s great. But I’m out here to make sure I do my part and ensure I’m fit to fight and ready to go as well.”
Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Hester, senior enlisted advisor for U.S. Army Central Command, was also taking the ACFT with Soldiers.
“I’m a little out of breath, but you should be a little out of breath, right,” said Hester. “You should be giving 100%. One hundred percent effort makes you better. So if you give 100%, you’re going to get out of it what you put in.”
One of the Army’s main priorities is readiness, for which being physically fit is a key component.
“Resiliency and wellness are two of the most important things,” said Herrman. “If we can’t ensure that our Soldiers are fit and ready to fight, then we really can’t even start our day. That’s why we do PT first thing in the morning. And coming out here, taking the ACFT, should be one of the easiest days of PT we do.”
The ACFT is designed to keep Soldiers physically fit and to assess combat readiness.
“So, the Sprint-Drag-Carry is all about endurance, quickness, speed and transitions,” said Hester. “So, I equate this to having to move a casualty on the battlefield, having to move ammunition, equipment. You gotta pick it up, you gotta move fast, you gotta get it to where you need to be, and you gotta get back to cover. At the end, it’s all about saving lives and making yourself and your team better.”
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