thedrifter
05-14-09, 06:34 AM
If you build it, they will come: II MHG (Fwd) plows the path to physical fitness
5/14/2009 By Cpl. Meg Murray , Multi National Force - West
AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq —
Over the past several weeks, senior leaders have been teaming up with younger Marines to slave away under the hot Iraqi sun, leveling sand, picking up rocks and filling sand bags for one purpose – to lead the way to superlative physical fitness among Marines stationed aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq.
In March, II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group (Forward) began constructing a dirt running track that circles inside the perimeter fence of the compound housing the headquarters for Multi National Force - West. In doing so, they literally brought a physical training opportunity right to the doorsteps of the Marines and sailors.
The track is simple – a leveled path in the dirt lined with sand bags and marked with red signs, yet it is vital toward keeping Marines combat-ready.
“The commandant of the Marine Corps said we are warrior-athletes,” said Sgt. Maj. Kevin Parrick, the II MHG (Fwd) sergeant major. “It’s not a new concept, but it’s something we need to remind every generation of Marines.”
In August 2008, the Marine Corps published All Marine Message 033/08, which outlines the Marine Corps’ revised Body Composition and Military Appearance Program. The ALMAR states that to uphold the Corps’ reputation and prestige, as well as the health of those who wear its uniform, physical fitness, proper body weight management and appearance are cornerstones of what being a Marine is all about and an integral part of mission accomplishment.
However, with the responsibility of managing Coalition operations throughout the Al Anbar province, it can be a challenge for MNF-W command element and II MHG (Fwd) Marines and sailors to find enough time to change into PT gear, walk a half-mile to the gym, work out, walk back, change back into uniform and go back to work.
Now, they can meet time constraints while also avoiding the busy gym by simply stepping out of their offices and onto the track.
“The goal is making it easier to expend some extra calories,” said Parrick, who has spent many hours working on the track, personally leveling the course and filling sandbags. “Having the track so close makes it easier for our Marines to fit in a quick workout.”
Cpl. Travis Brown, the unit movement control chief for II MHG (Fwd), understands the benefit of having a running track so close, and he and several Marines in his unit run the path on Saturdays as part of group physical training.
“It’s a close, outlined place we can run,” said Brown. “The track is just over a mile long, so it doesn’t take long to step right outside of the office and run three miles.”
Safety is another main concern for runners aboard the base. The new track allows runners to stay off busy roads dominated by tactical vehicles and buses, thus reducing the risk of non-combat injuries, which can adversely affect a unit or section’s combat effectiveness.
“There are so many different styles of driving here, and we have to drive over curbs to get into parking lots,” began Parrick, “so the track gives Marines a safe place to run without battling traffic.”
Brown sees the track as the final piece of the puzzle for Marines who work in the MNF-W compound.
“We already have the small wooden gym and the [circuit course] in the compound, and now with the track, there is no excuse for any of us to be out of shape.”
And, as ALMAR 033/08 states:
“Marines are different. Even during a period of conflict, we hold ourselves to a higher standard and we must, all of us, maintain that standard. In the end it has to do with combat efficiency.”
Ellie
5/14/2009 By Cpl. Meg Murray , Multi National Force - West
AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq —
Over the past several weeks, senior leaders have been teaming up with younger Marines to slave away under the hot Iraqi sun, leveling sand, picking up rocks and filling sand bags for one purpose – to lead the way to superlative physical fitness among Marines stationed aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq.
In March, II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group (Forward) began constructing a dirt running track that circles inside the perimeter fence of the compound housing the headquarters for Multi National Force - West. In doing so, they literally brought a physical training opportunity right to the doorsteps of the Marines and sailors.
The track is simple – a leveled path in the dirt lined with sand bags and marked with red signs, yet it is vital toward keeping Marines combat-ready.
“The commandant of the Marine Corps said we are warrior-athletes,” said Sgt. Maj. Kevin Parrick, the II MHG (Fwd) sergeant major. “It’s not a new concept, but it’s something we need to remind every generation of Marines.”
In August 2008, the Marine Corps published All Marine Message 033/08, which outlines the Marine Corps’ revised Body Composition and Military Appearance Program. The ALMAR states that to uphold the Corps’ reputation and prestige, as well as the health of those who wear its uniform, physical fitness, proper body weight management and appearance are cornerstones of what being a Marine is all about and an integral part of mission accomplishment.
However, with the responsibility of managing Coalition operations throughout the Al Anbar province, it can be a challenge for MNF-W command element and II MHG (Fwd) Marines and sailors to find enough time to change into PT gear, walk a half-mile to the gym, work out, walk back, change back into uniform and go back to work.
Now, they can meet time constraints while also avoiding the busy gym by simply stepping out of their offices and onto the track.
“The goal is making it easier to expend some extra calories,” said Parrick, who has spent many hours working on the track, personally leveling the course and filling sandbags. “Having the track so close makes it easier for our Marines to fit in a quick workout.”
Cpl. Travis Brown, the unit movement control chief for II MHG (Fwd), understands the benefit of having a running track so close, and he and several Marines in his unit run the path on Saturdays as part of group physical training.
“It’s a close, outlined place we can run,” said Brown. “The track is just over a mile long, so it doesn’t take long to step right outside of the office and run three miles.”
Safety is another main concern for runners aboard the base. The new track allows runners to stay off busy roads dominated by tactical vehicles and buses, thus reducing the risk of non-combat injuries, which can adversely affect a unit or section’s combat effectiveness.
“There are so many different styles of driving here, and we have to drive over curbs to get into parking lots,” began Parrick, “so the track gives Marines a safe place to run without battling traffic.”
Brown sees the track as the final piece of the puzzle for Marines who work in the MNF-W compound.
“We already have the small wooden gym and the [circuit course] in the compound, and now with the track, there is no excuse for any of us to be out of shape.”
And, as ALMAR 033/08 states:
“Marines are different. Even during a period of conflict, we hold ourselves to a higher standard and we must, all of us, maintain that standard. In the end it has to do with combat efficiency.”
Ellie