Courtesy Photo | FORT BRAGG, N.C.--Master Sgt. Ruby Murray, an automated logistics specialist with the...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C.—Every morning during the normal duty week, Soldiers all over Fort Bragg rise at the crack of dawn to participate in activities that will aid in continuing to maintain their combat readiness.
One early morning activity is physical training, or what most Soldiers are used to referring to it as- PT. Because of the frequency PT is conducted, Soldiers here remain in tiptop shape year round. However, for some, wonderful life changing events, such as the birth of a child, can disrupt a Soldiers physical fitness level and consistency.
One Soldier had made it a mission in her life, along with two assistants, to ensure that postpartum Soldiers here have the proper tools and motivation to return to their prepregnancy weight. She is able to accomplish this as a volunteer through the Womack Army Medical Center Pregnant Soldier Wellness Program.
Master Sgt. Ruby Murray, a 34-year-old automated logistics specialist with the 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) and the primary instructor for postpartum PT, knows all too well how beneficial the program is and how important it is to restoring the fitness confidence in these Soldiers. Murray, along with the two additional instructors, Staff Sgt. Alexsandra Fajardo, a 27-year-old mental health specialist with the WAMC and Sgt. Calnessa
Hogue, a 22-year-old paralegal specialist with 525th Military Intelligence Brigade, have all experienced childbirth and the intense training it takes to get their bodies back into shape.
While the program isn't mandatory to attend currently, the PSWP ensures that postpartum, along with anti-partum (pregnant), Soldiers here have the proper tools in place to keep them healthy and restore or improve their level of physical fitness. The program has been in place since 1994, said Janice M. Leslie, the PSWP manager. While it is important to ensure that pregnant Soldiers exercise properly and receive proper education on their pregnancies, ensuring that postpartum Soldiers restore themselves to being combat ready is equally important, she said.
To run the postpartum program takes a team of dedicated and motivated Soldiers- ones who understand what pregnant Soldiers go through during and after the birth of a child.
During her first tour at Fort Bragg in 1998, Murray had her first child. At this time, she was unaware of the WAMC postpartum program. So, after giving birth, Murray began a rigorous individual PT regimen after the duty day ended.
"I would work out each afternoon to get back into shape," Murray said.
The command took notice of her weight loss and started sending Soldiers to join her, she said.
"(Also) Some of the other postpartum Soldiers saw what I was doing and asked if they could join me."
During an Army Birthday run, many of the command sergeant majors noted a group of female Soldier running in formation wearing t-shirts differently colored from their own. When asked, Murray informed these influential senior noncommissioned officers that these postpartum Soldiers who were keeping up with the birthday run formation were a part of an unofficial pregnancy program she has started. Blown away by this, it was then the commands deemed her as primary instructor and recognized the effectiveness of the program.
Additionally, Murray pushed this endeavor a step forward and studied during her personal time to receive a fitness and nutrition diploma. Since then, Murray volunteered to spearhead this initiative as a primary instructor while stationed in Korea, where she and another Soldier implemented a postpartum program. Today, as a volunteer, she remains as the primary instructor for postpartum PT here.
Not anyone can become an instructor. There is a certification process conducted through WAMC that has to take place.
"We had to go through a two day certification that (culminated) with a written exam," Murray said.
Additionally, candidates have to create and perform a two-minute aerobic routine that tests their overall coordination, talent and demonstrates their level of motivation, Murray said.
"The routine is important because how can (an instructor) motivate Soldiers to come to us on a constant basis if (the instructors) aren't motivating themselves," she said.
"Normally, (the instructor positions) are six month taskings, however, (Master) Sgt. Murray came to us as a volunteer as an exercise leader," Leslie said.
"(Master) Sgt. Murray has made an impression on the Soldiers and the program," Leslie said. "She's made a positive impact. She motivates the Soldiers quite a bit and word has gotten out about her so I think that we will see an increase in participants in the near future."
Postpartum PT attendees agree that motivation is key to keep them coming back for more rather then conducting what they might not be ready for in participating with their own units. On average, about 20 Soldiers participate in the training. And, following each fitness session the group conducts an after actions review to ensure that the Soldier are getting a getting a lot out of the sessions, Murray said.
Additionally, each Soldier submit written testimonies to the instructors during the phases of training.
"I like the fact that (postpartum PT) is really intense," said Spc. Heidi Hartman, a 28-year-old rigger with the 600th Quartermaster Company, 1st Battalion, 507th Corps Support Group. "Master Sgt. Murray and the rest of the instructors are motivating and they work to push each of us to our limits."
Hartman added that she is prepping herself to go to the promotion board and attend the Warrior Leadership Development Course here. Recognizing Hartman's goals, Murray has given Hartman a little more attention to ensure that she is ready to meet them.
"(Murray) has allowed me to lead PT a few times," Hartman
said. "She looks out for us and I appreciate that."
For many of the Soldiers, this type of additional attention paid to them was crucial to aiding them in obtaining their individual goals.
"To me,(Postpartum PT) is a lot more intense then regular PT (with the unit)," said Pfc. Sherrella Nixon, a 25-year-old information systems operator with the 112th Signal Battalion, United States Army Special Operations Command. " (Postpartum PT) builds your confidence and relieves the stress you have after having a baby, plus it pushes your body to the limit without hurting yourself since the instructors understands the condition of a females body after having a baby."
This is the first time Nixon has attended postpartum PT even though she had been previously pregnant twice. However, due to bed rest ordered by her doctors on both of her previous pregnancies she was unable to participate.
"The best thing about this program is that Master Sgt. Murray focuses on the problem areas we may be struggling with. I always have problems with my run," said Sgt. Sharon Womack, a 36-year-old information systems operator with the 112th Sig. Bn., USASOC.
"This program is most definitely helping me. The weight is coming off and my run time is down, so I have improved."
There are many success stories that have come from attending
this postpartum PT program.
Sgt. Tracy Devault, a 30-year-old medic with WAMC has been in the program for a little over two months and has already lost 51 pounds of the 75 she gained during her pregnancy.
"I still have a long way to go before I can pass the PT test the way I want to, so I also do extra PT after work," Devault said.
Devault accredits her success to the postpartum PT program though.
"I wouldn't have been as determined if I didn't have this program because I hate getting up in the morning after being up at night with the baby," Devault said. "Knowing that Master Sgt. Murray is going to be here gives you that extra push."
"There was a time when many pregnant Soldiers would decide to leave the Army because they were having a hard time losing the weight and adjusting to family life," Murray said.
Since Murray has come on board, she had drastically seen a change in this attitude. Additionally, she and her assistant instructors have seen an 80% improvement in their attendees physical fitness level.
"I love the physical fitness arena so much and when it comes to working out," Murray said, "I believe in going that extra mile."
| Date Taken: | 08.29.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 08.29.2006 15:43 |
| Story ID: | 7588 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 494 |
| Downloads: | 206 |
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