Photo By Sgt. Rodney Foliente | Soldiers from Company E, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd...... read more read more
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By Sgt. Rodney Foliente
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
CAMP ECHO, Iraq – With a fast-paced operational tempo, deployed Soldiers face an extended string of long days, which start to pile upon each other in a manner similar to the movie "Groundhog Day." Everyday is the same; the challenges and struggles slightly change, but overall – similarity reigns supreme.
Time off is a well-deserved luxury; a time to relax and pursue personal interests. After a day's mental and physical taxing, many Soldiers choose to exercise – a hard work out after a hard day.
"It's a stressful environment here. Just to stay sane, you need to have something that makes you happy," said Sgt. 1st Class Monica Carlile, senior paralegal, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, after running approximately six miles.
For Carlile and many others, that "something" is exercise.
"It's my way to get away. I decompress by going to the gym. I decompress by hanging out and pushing someone else to better themselves," said Sgt. Maj. Dale Veneklasen, operations, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd BCT.
As he speaks, the gym pulses with the sounds of weights rising and falling, harmonized with the whir and thuds of cardio machines. Soldiers breathe and groan, as their comrades call out alternated words of encouragement and antagonism to help push one another.
"It gives us an opportunity to get away from the work and think about something else. It builds teamwork," continued Veneklasen, from Estelline, S.D.
A nearby Soldier struggling to complete one more bicep curl looks ready to give up. He digs deep within himself and forces the weights to lift all the way before letting them down slowly with a sigh. His buddy slaps him on the shoulder and says, "Good job," – a complete 360 from what was said during the struggle.
"I have a couple of [battle buddies]. We force each other to work out. We push each other for the readiness to fight for the mission," said Veneklasen.
As Veneklasen talks about teamwork and encouraging one another, the two Soldiers look up and nod their agreement before switching places with easy camaraderie.
Another reason to work out is to look good for the family when the time comes to be reunited, said Veneklasen.
"When Soldiers get back home for reintegration, the family members, loved ones or friends are surprised. You either put on some weight in muscle mass or you really trim down," he said, wryly adding that "some Soldiers may not quite look as good as they did, by using the chow hall to work against them."
He commented that some people don't exercise as they should, providing an "I just don't have time" justification.
"It is just an excuse for them to be lazy. It's unfortunate, but we do have that. As a leader, it's our responsibility to encourage them to work out and do something additional during deployments," said Veneklasen.
Carlile agreed with the importance of staying fit, regardless of a Soldier's job in Iraq. She used an example of the unfortunate possibility of having to extract and transport an injured person to a safe place for medical treatment, repeating the importance for Soldiers to always be prepared to accomplish the mission.
"You need to [exercise] because you never know when you are going to have to go outside the wire," said Carlile. "You never know what's going to happen out there. You have to be prepared at all times."
An avid runner, she averages approximately 40 miles per week during deployment. No matter where in Iraq Soldiers are stationed, there are always ways to find the time and the means to exercise, whether it's hitting the gym, playing sports or running, said Carlile, from Oceanside, Calif.
"Soldiers need to understand that fit is more than just an excuse to do something," said Veneklasen. "It's a right, and it's something they need to be responsible for and take care of themselves and get through the mission. It's very important for the mission we have today."
Staying fit keeps the Soldiers strong and capable. He explained that Soldiers' combat kits can weigh more than 70 pounds. Staying fit helps Soldiers accomplish their missions.
"I believe in going the extra mile. The endurance factor helps me push the Soldiers to get to the objective. It's going to allow them to get through the mission more easily," said Veneklasen, right before going to his battle buddies and starting the day's workout.
He walks past a gym filled with Soldiers and civilians. There are the young and the old, male and female, those working to lose weight and those looking to gain it. There are the toned and the not-so-toned, the brawny and the scrawny.
To most individuals present, it does not seem to really matter what a person can lift or what their current physical state may be. What matters is the shared willingness to put in a good effort.
The air is tinged with the smell of sweat and cleaning solutions, but it is also thick with accomplishment and determination.
A Soldier struggles with 15 pound dumbbells, as the person next to him knocks out twice as many repetitions with 65 pounders. The smaller Soldier looks sheepish as he puts his weights away. The bigger Soldier notices and tells him that he showed good heart and said encouragingly, "Everybody has to start somewhere. Just keep at it."
| Date Taken: | 11.10.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 11.10.2008 05:02 |
| Story ID: | 26139 |
| Location: | DIWANIYAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 305 |
| Downloads: | 290 |
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