Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Scott | First Lt. Fawn Robar, the executive officer with the 25th Infantry Division...... read more read more
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BAGHDAD – Weighed down with water cans, ammunition cans and packages of bottled water, the soldiers ascended the hill in a haphazard line that made them look like ants returning to their nest with provisions.
However, the soldiers of Signal Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 25th Infantry Division weren’t carrying supplies to contribute to the logistical mission here on Camp Liberty, Iraq. Their efforts were in support of the battalion’s implementation of the Army’s Physical Readiness Training program.
“The Physical Readiness Training program is long overdue for the Army,” said Capt. Steven Schnurr, commander of Operations Company, HHBN, 25th Inf. Div. commander. “This has created a better tool for commander’s to assess their soldiers on their physical readiness for any contingency operation worldwide.”
The battalion transitioned to the PRT program, Aug. 1, and allowed the leadership of the subordinate companies to develop their own exercise regimens within the PRT guidelines. That ingenuity keeps the soldiers involved.
“Mentally they’re more aware,” said 1st Sgt. Rodney Morant, the first sergeant of Operations Company. “They’re interested in the exercises because it’s something new,”
This interest is present in Signal Company as well.
“They love coming out and doing something different,” said Sgt. 1st Class Eric Terrell, the communications security management officer for the 25th Inf. Div. “Usually the stuff we do you see people looking at us like, ‘Man, why aren’t we doing training like that’ so it’s pretty motivating.”
That something different for Operations Company is running an obstacle course designed to integrate the principles of the PRT’s different strength, mobility and endurance drills. The course consists of hurdles, balance beams, ammunition can carries, a litter drag, high and low walls, and a slalom run. All of these physical fitness activities are intended to help their soldiers perform better in full spectrum operations.
“Your climbing drills, your conditioning drills – number one and number two, your hip stability drills and your 'four for the core' drills are incorporated into this obstacle course,” said Morant.
The soldiers with the Signal Company don’t have an obstacle course, but they have also managed to find unique ways to achieve their fitness goals such as travelling up and down a hill carrying various objects or pushing vehicles.
“The water carry, carrying various fifty and seventy-five pound water jugs up the hill definitely tests your strength, endurance and mental focus,” Spc. Christopher Giovannetti, the armorer with Signal Company.
“There’s so much stuff you can do with the litter carries, the buddy carries, climbing over the bunkers, carrying stuff, toting stuff and Humvee pushes,” said Terrell. “Instead of just sitting in the office or just coming out and doing the normal push-ups and sit-ups, you can mix it up and have fun at the same time.”
No matter the method, the companies of HHBN have accepted the mission of moving forward with fitness routines that will help its soldiers better prepare for the battlefield.
“I’ve been in Army for 24 years and finally after 24 years we’re going to the change that’s been talked about for more than 20 years,” said Morant.
Many of the newer soldiers share the same opinion and enthusiasm for the implementation of the PRT program as the seasoned veterans.
“I think the program is very helpful,” said Giovannetti “ I think the battlefield focused training is what the Army needs right now.
| Date Taken: | 08.30.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 08.31.2011 12:12 |
| Story ID: | 76229 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 278 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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