Belvoir unit revamps Soldier PT program

The sun barely had a chance to rise, but that didn't stop Soldiers from heading over to the 249th Engineer Battalion headquarters for an intense workout.

According to 1st Sgt. David Negron, the unit has been involved with a foundation training program based on CrossFit, a strength and conditioning series commonly used by law enforcement and other military units.

"The Army is starting to adopt this kind of fitness training," he said. "These are exercises that help today's Soldiers adapt to changing conditions."

Capt. Francis Pera agreed. "It all goes back to changing the business of the Army," he said, still breathless after taking a pause from training. "The doctrine of PT [physical training] requires you to develop strong leaders. We want everyone to get the most they can out of this program."

Negron bluntly said he feels the Army's PT program "stinks." There's no challenge, he said, something that's reflected in the high number of Soldiers and servicemembers who are currently battling weight issues.

"Here, we have a group of motivated individuals encouraging one another," he said. "This program challenges individuals and shows them where they stand physically."

The goal, Pera said, was to create a fitness program and get the Soldiers to buy into it. "We needed a new and fresh approach to encourage success," he said. "Judging by what we've seen, I think we're there. Maybe we'll re-evaluate and increase the goals in the future, but the program is good. We've got a good group who are dedicated to the program."

249th's foundation training is open to any servicemembers who wish to participate - an opportunity Maj. Erik Grant of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency has taken advantage of. He wanted to get involved as a way to stay fit and have an opportunity to develop his physical skills alongside motivated Soldiers.

"This probably helps me more than them," he said. "I love being with the guys. It helps keep me motivated. They're all fantastic."

Grant, a 20-year servicemember who spent time in the Army and Air Force, said he's always been involved in some facet of functional training over that time, outside of the usual push-ups, sit-ups and running. When he learned 249th was developing a program, he was anxious to get involved.

The results have been great.

"I just turned 40, and I'm in better shape than I was when I was 20, when I actually thought I knew something about fitness," he said.

"It's important to stay mentally, emotionally, and physically healthy," Grant continued. "You don't want to get older and start breaking down, so it's important to eat right and train hard. Living healthy is huge."

Individuals who are new to the foundation training concept are always welcome, and Grant said it shouldn't be intimidating for anyone who really wants to get in shape. "We always try to consider how to scale things down so everyone can see benefits - maybe scale down the weights or the reps," he said. "Sometimes it's tough to do these exercises and work parts of the body you never have in the past.

"It's intense, but it's not a competition," he added. "No one will say, 'I did seven more reps than you.' We're about helping you and being supportive. Just give it your all, and that's all we can ask.

Editor's note: 249th's foundation training is from 6 to 7 a.m. Monday through Thursday at the C Company headquarters, 1416 Jackson Loop.