Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Amber Simpkins | Staff Sgt. Michael Gange demonstrates the proper pushup during the Army Physical...... read more read more
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – Spc. William Harrison started noticing the results almost immediately. After his last sprint workout, where he raced around the track for 45 minutes, the automated logistical specialist was worn out, but ecstatic.
“The special conditioning [physical training] has improved my cardio fitness and my core strength,” said Harrison, who has spent four years in the Gulfport, Mississippi-based 1108th Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group. “I feel like I've improved my run time a good bit with the speed work that we do.”
He will need to continue improving it so he can pass his Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT).
Spc. Reece Perkins, also in the physical training program, said, “My run time has improved and I’m highly motivated to continue improving.”
In the coming months, he hopes to head to the warrior leader course at Camp Beuhring in Kuwait where the Mississippi National Guardsman will work side-by-side with active duty personnel going through the leadership course, a prerequisite to becoming a noncommissioned officer.
Harrison and Perkins are not alone though. They are only two in a group of 1108th TASMG soldiers who report in the early mornings to Master Sgt. Vernon Dedeaux’ s own version of boot camp led by Sgt. Henry Franklin, except, the goals are different: lose weight, improve physical fitness and eat healthier than ever before.
“In regards to my PT group, I want to be the best and that carries over to training the group. How can I be the best if I can’t make those around me the best they can be?” Franklin said.
The physical training program is actually part of a special Army program designed for Soldiers who are striving, but struggling to meet existing standards. Sgt. Amos Packard describes the program as “highly motivating” saying, “It’s all or nothing.”
Army Regulation 350-1 states “special conditioning programs are appropriate for Soldiers who have difficulty meeting unit goals or Army standards.”
Sgt. Franklin shared his insight on keeping up the motivation and his role in the special conditioning PT program.
“I use playfulness and joking to challenge every individual based on their different personality type. I always say, ‘You won’t do it’ or ‘I bet you can’t.’ It keeps the mood fun and it enables me to push them harder like that,” said Franklin. “I never focus on what I can do already. I continue to dare myself to do better. Basically, I ‘you won’t do it’ myself in every task. In regards to my PT group, I want to be the best and that carries over to training the group.”
Leading a physical training group is more than getting out there every morning and working out.
“Absolutely, I try and keep them motivated throughout the whole day and stay on them about what they eat and drink,” said Franklin, when asked if he continues to work with the Soldiers after sessions are over. “In the evenings I work with a small group of the guys who do not have very much experience in the gym. I make them focus on proper technique rather than ‘looking cool’ and using too much weight.”
Sgt. Franklin has dedicated much time and effort to not only help Soldiers better themselves but he’s become a better person and leader in the process.
“This might have been more beneficial for me than it has hopefully been for them. It has completely motivated me and their motivation has been an absolute blessing. I personally want to see every single person do more than they ever thought they could. My final quote would be, I always exude excellence and I will continue to do that in any role that the command places me in.”
The 1108th TASMG’s physical training program is following the guidance set forth in AR 350-1. The program goal is to get Soldiers physically fit while keeping them motivated to continue to improve and set new personal goals after reaching their current one. This physical training program is that like none other. They have a special group of people, leaders and participants that are dedicated to motivating each other. Some are in the program needing to lose weight, some need to improve their APFT score, and others are getting ready to attend the warrior leader course.
No matter the reason, they all work together to meet the standard and to help each other surpass one goal and move on to the next. Franklin stresses that motivation is the key to the success of the program and without that, the program would not be as successful. In the first month, three Soldiers have successfully passed their Army Physical Fitness Test and all others have significantly improved.
| Date Taken: | 05.01.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.14.2015 04:17 |
| Story ID: | 163276 |
| Location: | CAMP ARIFJAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 224 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, 1108th TASMG’s Highly Motivating Special Conditioning Program, by SFC Amber Simpkins, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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