Nevada recruiter provides program to help soldiers prepare for physical fitness demands

Private John Miller, of Concordia, does a push-up during the Army Physical Fitness Training assessment at Warrensburg Middle School, while Pvt. Sarah Johnson, of Eldon, keeps track of the number of push-ups he can perform correctly in the allotted time. --Rachel Knight/Missouri National Guard

The Missouri National Guard's Recruit Sustainment Program requires soldiers to do mandatory physical fitness every drill and they must have an Army Physical Fitness Test on file before shipping to basic training.

To help prepare soldiers for their physical training test, National Guard recruiter Staff Sgt. Jerry Clark, of El Dorado Springs, has put together a program three times a week at the armory in Nevada for any soldier who wants to join in and exercise.

"I try to have it every night when I'm there," said Clark, who got the inspiration for creating the program from some of the scores achieved during the physical training assessments during drill.

"This helps them maintain a good score by working out throughout the week," Clark said. "This helps them improve their physical training and helps them excel during basic training." The program is 15 stations including several different types of push-ups, jumping jacks, bends, thrusts and kicks.

Clark started the program about two months ago and has approximately 10 people show up regularly, with more soldiers taking part occasionally.

He likes the program as well because "it helps me keep in shape too," added Clark, who contributes a lot of the success of the program to his helper, Pfc. Logan Harms, of the 1139th Military Police Company in Harrisonville.

"Motivation is the key," Clark said.

During a physical training assessment at drill, Soldiers have three standard exercises which are then measured to give them a score. They are push-ups, sit-ups and a timed run. New female enlistees that have not been to basic training have one minute each event to complete three push-ups and 17 sit-ups. For the one-mile run, they have less than 11 minutes. New male enlistees have one minute to complete at least 13 push-ups and 17 sit-ups.

They have less than nine minutes to finish their one-mile run.

They have more requirements each after they have completed basic training and even more when they ship to advance individual training.

"Physical training is mandatory every month because of the nature of the RSP program," said Master Sgt. Brad Kohler, area noncommissioned officer in charge. "We may have them a year and a half and in some cases one drill."

For the proper push-up, soldiers assume the front-leaning rest position with hands where they are comfortable to them. Their feet may be together or up to 12 inches apart. When viewed from the side, the body should form a generally straight line from the shoulder to the ankles.

For the proper sit-up, soldiers assume the starting position by lying on their back with knees bent at a 90-degree angle. Their feet may be together or up to 12 inches apart. Another person will hold the ankles with their hands only. The heel is the only part of the foot that must stay in contact with the ground. Fingers must be interlocked behind the soldiers head and the backs of their hands must touch the ground.

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call (888) GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.