By Pfc. Christopher Grammer
50th Public Affairs Detachment
KUWAIT - However an increasing amount of service members at Camp Arifjan are getting their physical training bright and early at what is called the "Ultimate Workout."
Founded and operated by Master Sgt. Ruby Murray, G3 orders manager non-commissioned officer in charge for 1st Sustainment Command (Theater), the Ultimate Workout is designed to help service members shed pounds and increase their PT test scores while achieving an ideal level of fitness.
"The reason I came up with the Ultimate Workout was because I had to come up with a way to work out the five main components of the body that the Army tells us we have to do and put it all in to one mix," Murray said.
In 1998, Murray was pregnant. During the pregnancy she gained more than 90 pounds. With the paperwork already written up to put her out of the Army she decided to hire a personal trainer to help her get back in shape.
Two weeks and a considerable sum of money later Murray was ready to give up. At that time she reflected on why she wanted to stay in the military.
"I really wanted to be in the military because I love Soldiers and I love training," Murray said.
With a newfound boost in morale Murray said she got up to the level of fitness her personal trainer wanted her to be at. Within a six-month time frame she was back in shape and passing her record PT tests.
Murray said she continued to work out every morning and occasionally during her lunch break.
After being approached by one of her battalion's sergeants major she took over her battalion's post-partum PT program.
"After I took over the program I never looked back," Murray said.
Murray's program has seen significant success among its regular attendees, she said. Fifteen people maxed their PT test who have never done so before.
"Master Sgt. Murray is a great leader," said Staff Sgt. Jeffery Simpson, adjutant general operations NCOIC with the 101st Human Resources Company. "She is exactly the type of NCO we need in the corps."
Not only have service members seen results on their PT tests but many have lost significant weight since they began attending the program.
"I've lost four inches off my hips and 12 pounds since August," said 2nd Lt. Valerie Haubenstricker, the Regional Network Operations Security Center Information Assurance officer in charge and a native of Marion, Ala.
One of the things service members like most about the Ultimate Workout is the combination of Murray's enthusiasm and the music she plays to wake up servicemembers and get them to have a good time as well as stay fit.
"It's energizing from the beginning to the end," Haubenstricker said.