Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Robert Storm | Sgt. Eric Goulet, legal chief, RCT- 6, from Plymouth, N.H., works out at the new gym...... read more read more
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FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM II, Afghanistan - U.S. Marines are world renown for physical fitness and endurance. The Marines at FOB Delaram II have a better reason to keep that reputation going now that a new permanent gym opened January 23, 2012.
“The first thing that I noticed is you can breathe easier,” said Sgt. Rolando G. Ventura, S-1 noncommissioned officer-in-charge, Regimental Combat Team 6, from Brentwood, N.Y. “In the tents, it was hard to breathe while you worked out. It’s also a lot bigger so you’re not cramped next to one another while you work out.”
While the Marines at Delaram II live in tents, efforts have been made to increase morale. The previous gym was four tents connected together, with pull-up bars and much of the other equipment outside. The tents were dimly lit, drafty and Marines constantly jostled one another as they completed their workout. The new gym is a permanent structure boasting more than 6,000 square feet of concrete floors. It was designed and built by Unity Logistics and Supply Services Company and cost $303,000. Its original completion date was estimated to be September 2011 but logistical problems delayed the opening until January.
“Obviously we’re just happy that our Marines will have the opportunity to utilize the new facility,” Sgt. Maj. Deets said, regimental sergeant major, RCT-6, from Annandale, Va. “The new gym is a welcome addition, it’s going to do great things for increasing the quality of life for the Marines aboard Delaram II.”
The size of the new gym allows more equipment to be used. Extra treadmills, stationary bicycles and indoor pull-up bars allow Marines to work indoors on what previously had been relegated to the outdoors. Of its advantages, the new gym isn’t just bigger; it also has greater climate control.
“It makes you want to go to the gym more often,” Ventura said. “You can get some cardio or pull-up routines done without freezing. The old gym – you didn’t want to go outside and do pull-ups some days and some nights – it was too cold to work out at all.”
Every Marine must be physically fit, regardless of age, rank, gender or duty. Marines must pass an annual Physical Fitness Test and an annual Combat Fitness Test. While generally Marines on deployment are exempt from these tests, they must still maintain height/weight body-composition standards.
“It is in combat where the physical fitness that Marines have been synonymous with really counts,” said Capt Craig Coltey, camp commandant, RCT-6, from Rutland, Vt. “We need to provide a place for the Marines to maintain their high physical standards, and the new gym does just that.”
Delaram II is the current home of Regimental Combat Team 6 and is located in Afghanistan’s Nimruz District. The base is comprised of Afghan National Security Forces, Marines and Sailors, and a number of government contract employees. While initially the base was designed to be temporary, it now has a runway to allow flights to bring in passengers and supplies. The camp serves as a focal point for helping Afghans continue their lives after attacks and interference on government and civilian personnel by Taliban forces.
| Date Taken: | 01.26.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 01.26.2012 01:31 |
| Story ID: | 82846 |
| Location: | FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM II, AF |
| Web Views: | 1,010 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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