Photo By Sgt. Scott Akanewich | Spc. Jimmie Lopez, 950th Support Maintenance Company, 311th Expeditionary Sustainment...... read more read more
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LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. - They crawled on hands-and-knees under the camouflage netting, through the wet grass, then sprung to their feet before sprinting to a set of tires, which they carefully negotiated, before moving on to the next obstacle on the course.
This is a scene that plays out countless times every day at places like Fort Jackson, S.C., Fort Knox, Ky. and Ft. Benning, Ga., as the Army’s newest recruits pass through the gauntlet known as Basic Combat Training on their way to becoming soldiers.
However, these were no recruits making their way through the muck and mire on this day.
These were students of McAuliffe Middle School in Los Alamitos, Calif., as their second annual Fit-A-Thon took place with the help of soldiers of the 950th Support Maintenance Company, 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command.
Approximately a mile and a half from Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos, where the unit is headquartered, the sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders of McCauliffe got a taste of Army fitness and discipline on the same field that normally serves as their physical education classroom.
Today, it was a military training ground.
According to Sgt. Cristobal Huesca, 950th Support Maintenance Company, 311th ESC, the connection between the Army and the community is one that is critical to maintain through events such as the Fit-A-Thon, he said.
“It’s very important for us to show our support,” said Huesca. “The kids look up to us as role models and this shows them we care.”
Taylor Vanis, a seventh-grader, was excited to see uniformed personnel interacting with her and her schoolmates.
“It’s really nice to show us some of what they do and to spend time with us,” said Vanis.
Eight-grader Kyle Collette echoed the sentiment.
“To come out here and do this for us is really cool,” he said.
Nate Renner, a sixth-grader enjoyed the camaraderie the activities created amongst him and his classmates, he said.
“I especially liked the teamwork in the relay race,” said Renner.
The Army’s presence is what makes all the difference, said Eileen Kochevar, mother of eighth-grader Andy Kochevar and a member of the Parents and Teachers Association.
“Having soldiers here for this is totally what makes the whole event,” said Kochevar. “They make it that much better, interesting and exciting. The kids are really enthusiastic to participate.”
Dennis Sackett, principal of McCauliffe, looked on in appreciation of what he saw play out before him.
“Having the Army out here with our young people is really special,” said Sackett. “The students have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for soldiers – they really connect with them.”
At the end of the obstacle course, eighth-grader Sophia Cogan took aim with a Frisbee and sent it through the target hoop on her initial attempt.
“I got it through on my first try,” she proclaimed happily.
Fellow eighth-grader Hastie Bakian, pointed out the importance of the underlying aspect of the event – fitness.
“You have to stay healthy to energize yourself,” said Bakian. “It’s the most important thing.”
She also pointed out the fact the girls were in much better shape than the boys - in her opinion, anyway.
“We’re definitely more fit because we care more about our appearance,” said Bakian, to the laughs of her fellow females. “We actually get off the couch.”
Shelly Knapp, military liaison for the event, was convinced without the Army’s participation, it wouldn’t be what it is, she said.
“We truly couldn’t be successful with this event without the involvement of the Army,” said Knapp. “We’re glad to see the kids having fun and it motivates me to see them active.”
The “recruits” were also put through a rigorous Army-style physical training session, led by Staff Sgt. Karl Kaigler, a wheeled vehicle mechanic with the 950th.
“Usually, all the kids see of the Army is on the news,” said Kaigler. “Coming out here shows them we’re just like they are. Sometimes a kid thinks he or she can’t do something and we tell them, ‘Just try and have fun.’”
The fitness aspect of the event was certainly not lost on Scott Robinson, who has been a PE teacher at McCauliffe for eight years.
“The kids are inside so much more these days, so it’s critical to teach them the importance of physical fitness and getting exercise,” said Robinson. “We try to get each of them to like a particular type of sport or physical activity.”
Robinson also acknowledged the difference having soldiers on hand made, he said.
“I think it’s huge,” said Robinson. “All the kids wanted to know if it was okay to talk to the soldiers.”
Ironically, eighth-grader Brianna Flynn’s parents are both Marines.
“They’re always pushing physical fitness and to be active,” she said.
Riley Werner, also an eighth-grader, highlighted the significance of the Army’s participation.
“It’s great for them to help our country and then to come help us,” she said.
| Date Taken: | 03.30.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 03.30.2012 21:47 |
| Story ID: | 86048 |
| Location: | LOS ALAMITOS, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 539 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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