Photo By Sgt. Woodlyne Escarne | Staff Sgt. Kabriya Mason, a Pregnancy/Postpartum Physical Training Program exercise...... read more read more
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FORT CARSON, Colo. – Expecting Soldiers and new mothers at Fort Carson join the Pregnancy and Postpartum Physical Training program because it supports women through a process that only moms in the Army understand.
However, all pregnant and postpartum Soldiers must enroll in the P3T program. Soldiers will partake in the P3T program during pregnancy and for 180 days after the conclusion of pregnancy, Soldiers are exempt from regular unit physical readiness training requirements.
The program aims to support Soldiers to have a healthy pregnancy, prepare for the physical demands of labor, and to aid in postpartum recovery.
Staff Sgt. Flaming Star Shaffer, from the 704th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, who is a part of the program, is a mother of two. During her first pregnancy, she didn’t have the support of the other women or the program.
“For my first child, I was on a recruiting assignment in the middle of nowhere Ohio where there wasn't any bases around, so there wasn’t any P3T around,” said Shaffer. “I had to recover, do PT, and figure everything out myself, so I appreciate P3T. I feel supported and it feels nice having people around you who understand what you’re going through.”
Women who already have children can use their experience to help other Soldiers in the program, which fosters a culture while building bonds and knowledge.
The female Soldiers in the program can participate through all three trimesters of their pregnancy and up to 12 months after giving birth. They can request to continue the training with P3T if they need extra time.
“It’s designed to help female Soldiers get back to where we are supposed to be after having a child, because you're still commited the Army, and we all feel that,” said Shaffer.
The postpartum component of P3T is designed to improve the readiness of Soldiers after they give birth safely and healthily. They do this by providing education through classes and resources to the Soldiers.
“P3T is an incredible program designed to assist our female paratroopers through their entire pregnancy and postpartum, and to get them back into the fight quickly and safely,” said Alexander Kupratty, 4th Inf. Div. Command Sgt. Maj. “I’m proud of the current P3T program at 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson. I look forward to all the enhancements we will continue to do as we educate more exercise leaders and program managers in the future.”
The P3T program managers are constantly pushing for the betterment of the Soldier moms here at Fort Carson by trying to inform Soldiers, leaders, and units regarding P3T.
“It’s important for us to be getting all that information out to the leaders, the Soldiers, and the chain of command to ensure they are familiarizing themselves with the regulations and the policies regarding P3T,” said Maj. Ashley Denoyer, P3T’s officer in charge.
“This program means so much to me, and it allows me to get better and ensure that I’m not going to hurt myself while I’m pregnant,” said Shaffer.
To get more information on the P3T program at 4th Inf. Div. contact this email at erika.flores9.mil@army.mil.
| Date Taken: | 02.29.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 03.01.2024 13:57 |
| Story ID: | 465033 |
| Location: | FORT CARSON, COLORADO, US |
| Web Views: | 42 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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