Garry Owen troops construct PT field, motivate other soldiers

Photo By Pvt. Deangelo Wells | A soldier assigned to 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg., 3rd AAB, 4th Inf. Div., flips a military vehicle tire down a trail on the Eagle Fitness Field at Camp Garry Owen, Dec. 11. The field offers an athletic field, a track, and an area for Soldiers to do push-ups and sit-ups.  

CAMP GARRY OWEN, IRAQ

12.18.2010

Story by Pvt. Deangelo Wells 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

CAMP GARRY OWEN, Iraq -- Soldiers in 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, recently constructed a fitness field at Camp Garry Owen to provide a better variety of physical training options for soldiers at the Base.

The soldiers constructed the Eagle Fitness Field, including pull up bars, a quarter-mile track, a climbing rope and other exercise stations on the site of the former helicopter landing zone.

Throughout the day, many soldiers and service members run on the track, do squats at one of the circuit stations, or play football in the athletic field inside the track.

“It’s nice to have a track to use instead of just running around the [small] camp,” said Pfc. Marc-Anthony Gita, of Reno, Nev., a tanker with Company D, 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg.

While the gym at Garry Owen is still being used for weight training and cycling, the new field allows soldiers to create more diverse workouts.

“It’s nice to see other soldiers and non-commissioned officers out here having fun. There is something here for everyone,” said Sgt. Jesus Carmona, of Hale Center, Texas, infantryman, assigned to 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg.

Although the field will help keep soldiers fit, it also allows them to build camaraderie through friendly competitions.

According to Gita, the ‘Fighting Eagles’ have started a football league in order to build camaraderie and stay competitive.

“I think it’s a good thing to keep soldiers fit and it plays a big role with the soldiers here in keeping their morale up,” he said.

• Date Taken: 12.18.2010
• Date Posted: 12.20.2010 10:39
• Story ID: 62334
• Location: CAMP GARRY OWEN, IQ