Holds 'Train-the-Trainer' Course for Command Fitness Leaders

From Commander, Navy Installations Command Public Affairs

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- Naval Support Activity Mid-South held a command fitness leader (CFL) "Train-the-Trainer" certification course for more than 20 Navy fitness professionals from across the country and Guam Jan. 9-13.

"Our goal is to provide our Navy Fitness personnel with all of the tools and knowledge needed to deliver this course at their local installation," said CFL Instructor Debbie Deutsch, Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC). "This course ensures that we have qualified, certified instructors located on every base who are able to offer classes to Sailors around the world."

Topics covered during the week-long course included instruction to conduct the Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA), nutrition, exercise physiology, anatomy, injury prevention, safety, public speaking and Physical Readiness Information Management System basics.

Deutsch said the course stresses the need for CFLs to provide smart, effective and safe physical fitness programming for their Sailors.

"Through effective training techniques and safe exercise programming, this course provides the necessary tools to ensure that our Sailors are trained properly and safely," Deutsch said.

Attendees participated in physical training each day and successfully completed all of the steps of the official PFA, including curl-ups, push-ups and 1.5-mile run/walk.

"Throughout the week, our instructors are being taught everything from PRP [Physical Readiness Program] policy to proper military etiquette in addressing military personnel," added Deutsch. "We want to ensure that they leave this course fully educated and prepared to not only teach the five-day course at their installation, but to be the subject matter expert for local CFLs when questions or issues arise."

CNIC will host the course in Rota, Spain Feb. 6-10 to certify instructors for the Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia region.

"Last year, we trained nearly 2,000 CFLs," said Deutsch. "With more classes being offered this year, we're expecting to meet, if not exceed, that number."