Photo By John Hamilton | JROTC Cadet finish the 1/4-mile run with 25-pound bag portion of the Juggernaut...... read more read more
Fort Novosel Ala. - Soldiers from the Fort Novosel Noncommissioned Officer Academy gave some future Soldiers a physical challenge at the Juggernaut Physical Fitness competition held May 2nd here.
JROTC cadets from four different high schools around the Wiregrass came to Fort Novosel to participate in the challenge which ran them through an extensive list of physical activities to show them what the expectations of a Soldier’s physical fitness can be.
“The Army is rigorous and our job… has a heavy demand for what it entails and what it could entail,” said Sgt. 1st Class Collin Chapman, an instructor at Noncommissioned Officer Academy. “So our physical fitness is going to transcend over to the battlefield rapidly, and for us to have physical fitness means we’ll be more successful on the battlefield.”
The challenge was extensive, starting with rowing 500m on the rowing machine, then moving on to pushups, a 1/4 mile run while carrying a 25-pound bag, then a 75-pound sled drag, an obstacle course that included low crawling under wire, jumping over hurdles, and a rope climb along with a 25-pound plate raise in the middle, another 1/4 mile run, monkey bars, pull ups, and a closing 1/4 mile run to finish it off. The course left the cadets hot, tired, and with a better understanding of the kind of rigorous work the life of a Soldier can entail. With the challenge complete, the cadets had a chance to talk with Soldiers representing a cross section of what the Army and Fort Novosel’s Aviation Soldiers can offer.
“We have a plethora of opportunities for them to link up with different subject matter experts across the 15 aviation military occupational specialty fields. Additionally, we have a drill sergeant here, recruiter booth, flight medics, and a little of everything in between to expose them to what our job is all about and so they can experience what it’s like to be in the military,” Chapman said.
Putting the cadets through the challenging course is also about communication, helping tell the Army story so the local community can understand what Army life is all about.
“We want to show the community what it may take to join the military. In 2025 there’s only limited exposure based on what’s on the internet or in movies or TV shows. So we want to give them a taste of what the physical fitness demands are so they can have more realistic expectations prior to joining the military.” Chapman said.
The event was quite a success, as the cadets had a good time and learned a lot about what the Army may expect from them one day.
“It’s been difficult, but it’s pretty fun. I think it shows… that you have to be dedicated, because not everything in the Army or the military is going to be easy. So you need to make sure that your physical health as well as your mental health is in shape so you can handle hard situations.” said Samuel Thompson, a junior at Carroll High School in Daleville, who is entering the Army Reserves.
While the challenge was a difficult one, the students pushed through while cheered on by the instructors and their classmates. Though challenging, the dedicated students learned a lot, with some feeling more prepared to take the next step and become Soldiers themselves.
“This prepares me for the Army, keeping me motivated and keeping me pushing to get into the Army,” said Drayton Chambers, a junior at Carroll High School who’s looking to become a Soldier after graduating.
The Juggernaut Physical Fitness competition gave local cadets a tough but rewarding glimpse into Army life. Through teamwork, determination, and guidance from experienced Noncommissioned Officers, the students walked away with a better understanding of what it takes to be a Soldier, and a little more motivation to pursue that path in the future.
| Date Taken: | 05.02.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 05.16.2025 09:47 |
| Story ID: | 497994 |
| Location: | FORT NOVOSEL, ALABAMA, US |
| Web Views: | 17 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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