Soldier volunteers to create professional gym

Photo By Sgt. Daniel Schneider | Spc. Keith Moya, a fuel transportation technician assigned to Company B, Division Special Troops Battalion, 1st Armored Division, explains to a gym member where equipment is placed in Camp Liberty's Iron Gym May 19. Moya volunteered three months ago to work in the gym during this deployment, and has assisted in making the gym into the professional facility it is today.  

CAMP LIBERTY, IRAQ

05.27.2010

Story by Spc. Daniel Schneider 

366th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

BAGHDAD – There have been many improvements to the Iron Gym at Camp Liberty, since 1st Armored Division took responsibility of it from 1st Cavalry Div. back in January, but the effort of the guys behind the scenes day-to-day goes unseen.

Being a gym staff member is not a military occupational specialty that Soldiers can train in; instead a gym's staff is made up of Soldiers from many different specialties brought together and meshed into a cohesive team.

One such individual who became a regular part of the Iron Gym's staff is Spc. Keith Moya, a fuel transportation technician assigned to Company B, Division Special Troops Battalion, 1st Armd. Div.

Three months ago, he volunteered to join the gym staff, back when the Iron Gym wasn't at a professional standard. Sgt. 1st Class Gregory Smith, the Iron Gym's non-commissioned officer in charge, and a few volunteers, including Moya, set their minds to creating a place Soldiers could be proud to work out in.

"At first, we worked on cleaning the place up," said Moya. "We got assistance from DSTB with extra personnel to help us clean and mop the place out."

After cleaning, the gym staff situated the exercise equipment to test out new methods to make the gym feel more like a professional gym.

"We tried many different combinations before we finally got it right," said Moya. "Now the exercise routines flow better for people's workout regimen."

Moya also helps out in some of the programs designed to draw people in and stimulate their competitive edge, namely the monthly endurance challenges.

"With it getting hotter outside, more people are coming in during the morning to compete, which is my shift," Moya said.

Moya also maintains supplies for the gym, working with Co. B, DSTB supply office.
"When we deliver the supplies to the gym, Spc. Moya helps out quickly," said Pfc. Cabel Doyle, a supply clerk assigned to Co. B, DSTB, 1st Armd. Div. "He comes to help without being asked and has a very welcoming attitude."

While Doyle works out at the gym, he's noticed the speed in which Moya and the other gym staff cleaned up the place. "There are some times when a Soldier goes to a different machine, and by the time they come back, the weights are already put back on the rack," said Doyle

"In the gyms back home, you can end up waiting for equipment," said Doyle, "but at the gym here, the staff helps right away."

All the work done by Moya and the rest of the gym's staff has paid off in attendance.
"When we first started, at certain times during the day, the gym would be practically deserted," Moya said. "Now, every month when we go through the sign-in rosters, there are more and more people attending."

• Date Taken: 05.27.2010
• Date Posted: 05.27.2010 21:16
• Story ID: 50392
• Location: CAMP LIBERTY, IQ