Photo By Carlos Cuebas | Lt. Col. Samuel E. Licorish, 1st Mission Support Command G3 Operations Officer,...... read more read more
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FORT BUCHANAN, Puerto Rico -- It was 5:00 a.m. and the soldiers assigned to the Headquarters-headquarters Company, 1st Mission Support Command, were already getting prepared to conduct the Army Physical Fitness Test at Fort Buchanan, Oct. 22.
Since 1980, the U.S. Army has assessed physical aptitude through the APFT, commonly known as the “PT Test”. The APFT is a three-event physical performance test used to assess muscular endurance and cardio respiratory fitness.
“Passing the PT Test is very important because it is part of the standards expected from a soldier, “said 1st Sgt. Ariel Feliciano from the HHD, 1st MSC Company.
There are over 90 soldiers assigned to the HHD. About 25 percent of those soldiers took the APFT two days in advance because they were part of the support team for this APFT event.
“We always have high passing rates in HHD for the APFT,” said Maj. Rafael Cruz, Commander of the HHD Company.
“We also always have had a great participation on APFT day. The commanding general always establishes the example which is very visible,“ added Cruz.
Brig. Gen. Fernando Fernández, 1st MSC Commanding General, always takes the APFT with the troops, which motivates high participation, according to Cruz.
The event’s non-commissioned officer in charge was Sgt. 1st Class Juan E. Gonzalez, who works in the G3, Operations section.
“I have a good support team to conduct this event. I hope everyone passes the PT test,” said Gonzalez, minutes before the first formation.
The troops formed up at 5:15 a.m. and Sgt. 1st Class Edgar Paez, from the 1st MSC logistics section, was in charge of conducting the warming up.
Paez used the preparatory drills of the new Army Physical Readiness Test, which is expected to become effective in the near future, to conduct the warming up. The APFT was conducted following the current standards.
“Today we only used five preparatory drills as warm up exercises, with the intent of start getting our soldiers familiar with the new APRT,” said Paez.
Paez was very pleased with the soldier’s reaction to the new warming up exercises. “The soldier’s reaction was very good. They were very attentive and motivated, while conducting the preparatory drills. I think that the 1stMSC soldiers should not have any problems adjusting to the new PT test standards, when they become effective,” added Paez.
Lt. Col. Samuel E. Licorish, G3 Officer in Charge, and Sgt. 1st Class Saby Calo, HHD’s personnel administration specialist, were expected to perform very well during this APFT, according to 1st Sgt. Feliciano.
“I am always nervous on PT test day. My goal is at least a 290,” said Calo, while waiting in line to do her pushups.
“It is humid today. I am also always nervous on APFT day. Even if you train, you get nervous out here, because you want to do your best. My goal is a 296 or better,” said Licorish.
As expected, the first individual crossing the finish line of the two-mile run was Licorish.
“I think my time was 13 minutes and 35 seconds, unofficial. It is hard to go out in a fast pace and keep it there. Next time you see me I will be doing twelve’s,” said Licorish shortly after crossing the finish line.
The first female finishing the two-mile run was, also as expected, Calo.
“I feel well. I wanted 14 minutes, but 15:22 is good also. My maximum time is 17 minutes, said Calo.
Ninety five percent of all tested soldiers passed the APFT.
| Date Taken: | 10.22.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 10.26.2011 14:55 |
| Story ID: | 79043 |
| Location: | FORT BUCHANAN, PR |
| Web Views: | 172 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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