A laugh a day improves health | University Chronicle

Posted on 02 October 2011.

For some people, a healthy daily lifestyle can mean the difference between life or death.

Every day, men and women of the United States Military work on their health and fitness goals, even here on campus. Through the Reserve Officers? Training Course and cadre programs, soldiers on campus stay fit through physical training and outside activities.

?The standards are very high in the Army, as are the demands stressful situations have on one?s ability to lead,? said Master Sgt. Thomas Biggerstaff, an active duty combat engineer of 22 years.

?The program develops cadets from the freshman year up to their senior year.? Upon graduation they commission as an officer.? Most will become platoon leaders who are in charge of up to 40 soldiers.? Those soldiers are the Army?s greatest resource and they deserve outstanding leadership to lead them into whatever the future has in store for our great nation,? Biggerstaff said.

The SCSU?s ROTC and cadre programs develop soldiers from all ranges. Men and women who are up and coming to leave for basic training, all the way through sergeants, are part of this program. Physical and mental health demands are placed on each soldier. Cardiorespiratory endurance and muscular-strength endurance training are often accompanied by total body fitness days.

According to Biggerstaff,?most of the time spent during the fall is used to get cadets into shape for numerous spring events.

?In addition to regular PT we are involved with a lot of activities outside regular ROTC.? The Ranger Challenge Teams (about 30 cadets) train twice a day to compete with Ranger Challenge Teams from UND, NDSU, U of MM, U of M, and SDSMT.? The winner of this competition will go on to compete at the national ?Sand Hurst? competition in New York,? Biggerstaff said.

There are also about 30 men and women chosen to participate in the Army Ten Mile Run in Washington D.C. annually. Soldiers are constantly encouraged to keep in shape through activities outside of PT.

?I do cross-fitness exercises,? Mitch Kersting, a sergeant of the National Guard, said.

?I wake up at six and eat oatmeal before going to the gym,? Billy Schwendeman, a specialist of the National Guard, said.

It is clear that staying involved is a very important aspect of the military. Muscle memory and constant training are large parts of remaining physically fit. Between classes, each soldier is still expected to partake in something physically, mentally, and emotionally productive. After a while, the mentality of the soldier is to, ?get it done.??Even the higher ranked men and women are held to the same standards.

?I myself just try to keep up with the young men and women in the program.? They keep me motivated and eager to get to PT every morning.? I enjoy watching them improve and accomplish things they never dreamed were possible,? said Biggerstaff.? ?The main reason I chose to stay in the Army as long as I have is because of the great men and women who make up its ranks.? Staying fit with exercise and diet is essential to every soldier; it?s even in the Soldier?s Creed.? We represent the most lethal and effective fighting force ever assembled on earth and we should do everything we can to represent our nation well.?

Source: http://www.universitychronicle.net/index.php/2011/10/02/fitness-soldiers/

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