Photo By Lisa Crawford | Nebraska Army National Guard Soldiers exercise during the state’s inaugural Fit for...... read more read more
This year, 132 Nebraska Army National Guard Soldiers from units across the state participated in an inaugural annual training experience called Fit for Life.
Many of the Soldiers selected for the FFLAT program were in a “flagged” status, either for not meeting the Army’s height and weight requirements or for failing a portion of their Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). The annual training wasn’t a form of punishment for the Soldiers, though, but rather for the Nebraska National Guard to educate and give Soldiers opportunities to improve through an intense two-week annual training period dedicated to improving physical fitness and improving physical readiness rates.
“The basic intent of Fit for Life was to help the commanders in all units have ready forces in their formations,” said Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Niles, FFLAT’s non-commissioned officer in-charge. “If it’s with the APFT we can teach them ways to strengthen themselves in specific areas. If it’s height and weight we can get them on track with nutrition. We’re just giving them the tools to succeed as they move forward.”
According to Brig. Gen. Richard Dahlman, assistant adjutant general, Army, the mission of Nebraska’s Fit for Life Annual Training (FFLAT) is to improve Soldier physical readiness, prepare Soldiers for their next level of professional military education (PME) and develop essential leadership skills to be all that they can be.
“Fit for Life Annual Training is truly an investment in our Soldiers,” Dahlman said. “It promises to be a rewarding, challenging and fun opportunity.”
The ultimate goal, according to Dahlman, is for each Soldier to be in accordance with Quality Boots Initiative standards, which will make each Soldier eligible for re-enlistment, posture them to successfully attend his or her next level of PME, and remain a relevant member of Nebraska’s great force.
The program, which debuted on July 24 and continued until Aug. 7 at the Camp Ashland Training Site, is new to the Nebraska Army National Guard, but several National Guard units of other states have already implemented similar programs.
“A lot of states have their own flavor of what we did for Fit for Life, but the way we executed ours, we made it our own,” Niles said.
The program started as an idea from Staff Sgt. Andrew Siemek almost two years ago, and ultimately formed into a 15-day annual training opportunity with 15 specialized volunteer cadre members, including Maj. Jason Barber, a Nebraska Army National Guard senior aeromedical physician assistant and strength and conditioning coach for the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program.
“Bringing such a high-level of expertise to our Fit for Life was instrumental in our success,” Niles said. “By using a preventative care method, we were able to build on the mechanics and help Soldiers steadily fix their problems, instead of causing more injury.”
The program balanced twice-a-day physical training activities with classroom learning on nutrition, running mechanics, goal setting, etc. Soldiers learned how best to meet Army standards using a combination of skills included in the Army’s Physical Readiness Training program with other mainstream and traditional physical training exercises. Soldiers completed body-weight and cardio workouts at Camp Ashland, and also learned to use specialized gym equipment at the Field House at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, Nebraska.
“I really like being at Offutt and learning different things from cardio exercises to strength training on the TRX (suspension training equipment),” said Spc. Donnie Cadwalader, a cavalry scout with Troop A, 1-134th Cavalry.
Cadwalader said while he struggles with physical training, he understands why it’s important to be at FFLAT for improvement.
“Soldiers have to be physically fit,” he said. “I signed up to serve my country and took an oath. I’m here to be able to obey that oath. Taking care of yourself first in the most important thing. If you can’t take care of yourself, you can’t be trusted to take care of anyone else.”
Pfc. Elyse Lyons, a supply technician with the 67th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, said she hopes to take everything she learned at FFLAT and share it with others at home and in her unit.
“I want to try and pass the torch,” Lyons said. “We learned a lot of different types of workouts. I’m ready to get home and get going. I’ve even already made plans with my roommate.”
“It’s been super motivating, and I would love to come back and be cadre support in the future,” she added. “There’s been such a difference between day one and the final day. Originally I came here to lose weight and pass my PT test, but now it’s about the lifestyle change and being an inspiration to myself and others.”
“Came here to improve my PT and meet a long-term goal to re-enlist,” said Sgt. Brian Elliott, an automated logistics specialist with the 1167th Brigade Support Company. With 15 years of military service, Elliott said he wants to stay mentally and physically ready to make it to 20, and what he’s learned at FFLAT has him well on his way toward reaching that goal.
“Fitness to me means being healthy, eating right, exercising and being without pain and stress; and how to deal with it when you do,” Elliott said. “It’s been a unique learning experience and a unique training. And it’s good for the more senior guys to be out here with the junior enlisted. We provide each other support. We all have things to go through and struggles at times no matter in life; but we all wear the same uniform.”
According to Niles, the FFLAT annual training was important for two reasons. First, readiness: It’s always important for units to have forces ready to go at a moment’s notice.
“Secondly, this is very important for the simple fact that a lot of Soldiers when they showed up, had their heads hung low, they thought they were just going to get smoked for two weeks,” Niles said. “Instead, we were there as mentors, as coaches, as teammates, to let them know that, ‘Hey, we’re here to help, we’re extending a hand,’ and that they matter. They lost sight of the reasons they used to have pride in wearing the uniform, and we’re here to reinforce those values that once motivated and drove them.”
One of those Soldiers who anticipated that FFLAT would be like re-living basic combat training was Pvt. Tyna Taylor, a motor transport operator with 1057th Transportation Company.
“I thought they would smoke us all the time, and that it was going to suck, but it’s actually been pretty fun,” Taylor said. “This has given me the tools I need to stay in shape – to be fit and strong. I just feel a whole lot better about myself and my self-confidence is through the roof. They are setting us up for success here, even beyond this A.T.”
Taylor, a cheerleader at Chadron State College, said she has always struggled with her weight and exercise. In the past, she’d start an exercise program, but become frustrated when the scale wouldn’t move, so she’d quit. And while she didn’t lose weight at FFLAT, she was excited to see she lost inches.
“In nine days I’ve lost two inches off my hips and one and a half inches off my waist, and I lost 9 percent body fat,” Taylor said. “I was frustrated because my weight wasn’t changing on the scale, but then I got taped and it was awesome. The scale really isn’t everything. Learning how to eat healthy and doing the type of exercises you personally enjoy really makes a difference.”
Niles said there was a visible transformation from day one when the Soldiers were struggling with the preparatory drills and right before the final APFT on day 15.
“It’s a night and day difference,” Niles said. “You wouldn’t recognize the Soldiers in that formation. As Fit for Life progressed, the Soldiers carried themselves with more pride. They stood taller, their chest was proud and they were emotionally invested in the process.”
Having unit first sergeants and company commanders visit FFLAT over the course of the annual training was appreciated as it showed the Soldiers their leadership cares, and it continued to validate the program, Niles said.
“Us as leaders have a responsibility to our Soldiers, to let them know that we care,” Niles said. “That’s not shown through public shaming or extra duty. It’s shown by taking the time and doing things right, and getting to know your Soldiers one-on-one.”
Niles said the Soldiers at FFLAT reminded him why it’s important to be a leader. He added he was humbled by the experience, but he attributes a lot of the program’s success the cadre’s caring devotion, endless dedication and continuous motivation.
“They helped Soldiers remember those intangible reasons why they joined and they harnessed that motivation and turned it into tangible success,” he said.
Still, it was the Soldiers who were ultimately responsible for the changes made at FFLAT. “A lot of the Soldiers thanked us, and it means a lot, it really does, but we only facilitated the process,” Niles said. “They did all the hard work.”
Overall results from the two-week training saw about 75 flag removals, an increase of APFT scores across the board and significant improvements in body mass.
Niles said he hopes to see the program become an annual event.
“This program is a force multiplier for our units,” Niles said. “Not only are we returning Soldiers ready with flags removed, but they are also ready to lead formations in physical fitness and talk to Soldiers about nutrition.
“They have all the tools our there are they are extremely motivated to keep crushing it.”
(Editor’s Note: Tech. Sgt. Jason Melton contributed to this article)
| Date Taken: | 08.15.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 09.22.2016 15:39 |
| Story ID: | 210295 |
| Location: | ASHLAND, NEBRASKA, US |
| Web Views: | 1,341 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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