Fayetteville Company takes physical fitness to the next level

Fayetteville Company rowing a 5000m row for time

By Raleigh Recruiting Batallion Public Affairs Office

Soldiers of U.S. Army Raleigh Recruiting Battalion's Fayetteville Company are training like world class athletes to maintain their edge as members of the world's best fighting force.

Since March Fayetteville Company Soldiers have been participating in an enhanced cross-fitness physical fitness program on Fort Bragg, N.C., where they've learned to utilize concepts and principles typically found in athletic development to heighten their physical readiness as tactical athletes.

The Fayetteville Company Soldiers travel two times per week to Fort Bragg's Fredrick Physical Fitness Center, to participate in the Soldier Performance Enhancement Program.

The SPEP fosters an educational culture of training with the intent to improve performance safely and effectively. The goals of the program are to educate Soldiers in human performance concepts to promote resiliency, increase physical readiness and to promote injury reduction strategies.

During six-week training phases, Soldiers meet twice a week with SPEP staff who educated them about safe training and how to increase performance in various areas that include power development, strength, agility and aerobic training.

"The program provides (Soldiers) an opportunity to improve their physical readiness, while learning about various concepts and protocols taken from sport that will also help them as tactical athletes," said Casey Gilvin, manager at the Fredrick Physical Fitness Center, which facilitates the program.

As a supplement to existing Army physical training, the program uses the facility and training methods of the line-up so attendees have the opportunity to be exposed to training, methods or equipment that in the past was reserved for high-end athletic development, said Gilvin.

"By taking part in the program with various resources and equipment, it allows for individuals to effectively train despite a wide range of ability levels or experience across an entire group," he said. "This human performance program serves as an additional opportunity to provide variety in programming while still meeting the mission or improving physical readiness."

Gilvin said he thinks that the program helps Soldiers become more rounded and more efficient in their given tasks, which could increase their career longevity.

Fayetteville Company Commander Capt. Neil Alcaria, who enrolled his Soldiers in the rigorous training program to improve their overall physical fitness
capabilities, said his Soldiers are already seeing the career benefits.

"Since joining the program, our team has been able to increase our overall Army Physical Fitness Test score, on average, from 254 to a 276," said Alcaria.

"Staying physically fit is just as important as staying mentally tough," he said, adding that he feels these attributes complement each other to produce a more well-rounded Soldier.