Iwo Jima Stays Fit During Fleet Week

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Travis J. Kuykendall, USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Public Affairs

NEW YORK (NNS) -- Sailors onboard the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) participated in physical training (PT) sessions on the flight deck during Fleet Week, May 27.

Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (CNRMA) Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR), along with Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) Navy Fitness provided Iwo Jima sailors an opportunity to group PT.

"We really wanted to highlight 'Navy Fitness' because fitness is a requirement of your job," said Chad Quinn, Commander Navy Installations Command Navy Fitness Program Manager. "If you can't stay within the standards and be functionally operable you can't keep your job, so it's very important."

CNIC Navy Fitness "Fit Bosses" instructed the Sailors on exercises and movements from the Navy Operational Fitness and Fueling Series (NOFFS). NOFFS is a Navy performance training resource which combines both performance and preventative injury strategies.

"The number one reason for missed days at work is because of injuries, not illness or disease. It's because people are getting hurt," said Quinn. "We use the NOFFS program because it focuses on a functioning movement and not just a jumping jack or a standard push up. It looks at what you're going to do in your everyday environment."

Approximately 60 Sailors attended one of the two, one-hour long sessions offered in the morning passing up the chance to get an early start going out on liberty. "I'm glad I took advantage of a great opportunity to receive training on practical exercises I had never seen before," said Cryptologic Technician Technical 1st Class (SW/AW) Jacob Harper. "After being in the Navy for 10 years, you see the same workouts over and over but this was something new and refreshing."

Simultaneously news media was broadcasting live and public tours were being offered, so they were able to witness the PT sessions and see what Navy fitness is all about.

"It was for the Sailors, showing them some of the different movements, but it also brought face to the general public and media the things Sailors have to go through to maintain and make a warship operable," said Quinn. "This is a part of their job, their lives, and it affects everything that they do."

Approximately 3,000 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen are participating in the 24th Fleet Week New York, taking place May 25 through June 1. Fleet Week has been New York City's celebration of the sea services since 1984. It is an opportunity for citizens of New York and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen, as well as see first-hand, the capabilities of today's maritime services.