It’s a consolidated program under one roof divided into three groups-the 1st Cavalry Division, all separate brigades and one at West Fort Hood with the use of the gyms at Abrams and West Fort Hood gym, said Oralia Lewis the program coordinator for the P3T Program at III Corps. The teams break off into groups based off the current trimester.
“Second trimester is in a separate group to make sure no one gets hurt and stay within the limits of what they can do,” said Lewis. “For instance second trimester, they can’t lay on the backs anymore, since this disrupts the blood flow to the baby.”
Team work within the P3T program helps to motivate the pregnant Soldiers to be fit for a healthy pregnancy for the baby.
“With being pregnant and more tired, this structured program and a plan, it’s more motivating especially in a group of females that is working along-side you with doing events sprints,” said Staff Sgt. Tiffanie M. Teckenbrock from 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment. “I’m very competitive, so when I see someone else working hard I want to be better than them.”
More than 50,000 babies are born at military hospitals each year according to Military Health System, the P3T program helps promote healthy lives of the Military child.
“I was right on the mark with everything during my pregnancy and I never gained too much weight,” said Teckenbrock. “My baby was healthy and I think that was directly because I was working out the whole time.”
According to a report by the Department of Defense, there are currently 1.2 million military children of active duty members worldwide.
“If you work out, you have more energy and are less tired to deal with your new baby,” said Lewis. “There is also, education classes that gives them the tools to work on some of the stresses, which promotes the more you workout and produce endorphins it goes into the body and it’s all going to pour out into a health Military Child.”