OCTOBER 24, 2022 – Physical training is a staple of the military profession. It is a vital factor in Soldier readiness and leaders can use physical fitness to improve their Soldier’s morale as well as their physical well-being.
The U.S. Army has continuously implemented innovative programs to improve physical training such as the Holistic Health and Fitness program and the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). Even with these changes, leaders are still encouraged to plan effective training sessions that physically challenge as well as mentally engage Soldiers.
Maj. Justin Winn, 1st Armored Division, Division Artillery is the always seeking opportunities to enhance Soldiers’ physical training experience. One of the ways he has done this is by having a weightlifting competition.
“We held the competition so that we can get Soldiers engaged in physical training,” Winn said. “[It’s] a different manner than doing traditional Army physical training.”
One of the ways 1st Armored Division has worked to improve physical training is by assigning Holistic Health and Fitness teams to their individual units at the battalion level.
“With us being a unit that doesn’t have a Holistic Health and Fitness team attached to us, I have taken on that role of being the liaison,” Winn said. “I am a former instructor at the Army’s physical fitness school and have a major in exercise science, which I have been coaching for eight years.”
Soldiers of all ranks conduct physical training with Maj. Winn to improve aspects of their physical fitness and their Army Combat Fitness Test scores.
“I am doing physical training with Maj. Winn to become better at running for my medical reclass,” said Sgt. Spence Nicholas, 1st Armored Division, Division Artillery.
“Somebody with more knowledge or a stronger educational background is more effective in properly leading Soldiers to become better.”
Having competent leaders plan and execute interesting physical training sessions can have a positive impact on team building as well as the individual Soldier. Soldiers who come together to try new experiences or build on personal interests can set the foundation of a cohesive team.
“It is important for units to start looking at ways to be creative and making things fun for the Soldiers during PT,” Winn said.
“It becomes mundane and boring, so why not break up the routine? I think one, you start to drive performance and two, you can really impact unit morale in that window of PT.”
Story by Sgt. Bryon Mutherspaw
24th Theater Public Affairs Support Element