Tony Horton Visits California Sailors, Helps Navy Promote Culture of Fitness

By Kimberly Gearhart, Naval Base Ventura County Public Affairs

POINT MUGU, Calif. (NNS) -- A celebrity fitness guru visited Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) Aug. 21, exercising and talking nutrition with Sailors and Marines and helping the Navy promote a culture of fitness.

Tony Horton, best known for his P90X series of workouts, is visiting several military installations in California this month, talking to Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors about getting fit and staying healthy through smart choices about food and exercise.

"It's about creating a different mindset," Horton said. "If you work out today, you're a better man today."

Horton started the day with a workout at NBVC Point Mugu in the hangar that is home to reserve unit Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VR) 55. In addition to the VR-55 crew, members of NBVC command, Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 113 and several chief petty officer selectees from around base gathered to workout with Horton.

After an hour-plus workout that included cardio, yoga and martial arts elements, the 75 sailors in VR-55's hangar were sweaty, but still excited.

"I feel motivated and ready to do more," said Chief Aviation Ordnanceman (select) Justin Darnell, of Navy Munitions Command Det. Point Mugu. "The Navy of today is definitely more fit than the Navy of yesterday. The standard has been raised."

Ready for the next step in his Navy career, Darnell said he sees fitness as a way of maintaining readiness and leading the way as a chief petty officer.

For others, getting fit was a life-changer. After the workout, Electronics Technician 3rd Class Elliott Turnbull of VAW-113 talked about how getting fit and flexible has improved his life and made him a better Sailor. Smiling while Horton signed a T-shirt, Turnbull talked about how he was skeptical of adding yoga moves to his routine, but now he is a believer.

"Listen to that. Grown men talking yoga. I love it." Horton, whose routines incorporate several yoga moves, said.

After touring C-130s with the California Air National Guard, which shares a runway with NBVC, and VR-55, Horton moved to NBVC Port Hueneme to tour USS San Diego (LPD 22) and workout with the crew.

Two workouts a day is common for these tours, said Susan Lucy, Horton's liaison and member of his team. At 54, Horton said he is in better shape than he was at 24, thanks to good nutrition and fitness choices.

"You don't need all that fancy equipment. Just your body and a space about as big as a table. You just have to move, so there aren't any excuses for not doing it," Horton said.

Aboard USS San Diego, Horton's second workout was just as intense as the morning routine. After the regular routine, Horton challenged the crew to more exercises, including doing push-ups while balanced on two exercise balls.

Ship's rescue swimmer Yeoman 3rd Class Thomas Meriwether was up to the challenge; after a wobbly start, he successfully completed two push-ups with his feet and hands gripping large exercise balls.

"For me, it's very important to be physically fit," Meriwether said. "I have to be ready to jump in the water and save someone all hours of the day."

Also taking Horton's challenges was ship's dentist Lt. Shannon Kelso. She did a series of push-ups and side planks with her hands gripping small medicine balls. Kelso, who is also the health services department head for USS San Diego, sees being fit as the first step in being a good leader.

"Leading form the front is one of the most important things you can do as an officer and the best place to start is taking care of yourself. That means eating right and exercising and allowing your people the time to do the same," Kelso said.

MCPON Attends Port Hueneme 70th Annual Seabee Ball, Visits Area Sailors

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Thomas L. Rosprim, Office of the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy

NAVAL BASE VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. (NNS) -- Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) visited Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) area commands and attended the Port Hueneme 70th Annual Seabee Ball during a three-day fleet engagement March 8 through 10.

During his trip, MCPON(SS/SW) Rick D. West toured facilities and spoke to Sailors stationed at China Lake, Port Hueneme, and Point Mugu, California.

While at China Lake, a topic brought up by local Sailors concerned their location and the challenge of finding recreational activities in the area.

"I'm not sure you understand how lucky you are here shipmates," said West. "Get out there and explore the mountains that surround you or take this opportunity to further your education. Ensure you are taking advantage of all these opportunities."

More than 800 Sailors stationed at Port Hueneme, the majority of them Seabees, arrived at the base theater March 9 for an all-hands call, leaving standing room only at the facility. What was lacking in seating was made up by enthusiasm in the room. At the end of the call, MCPON called for motivation with one word, Hoorah.

"Take that enthusiasm that you just gave me to your work sites every day, more importantly take it out there to those fields, wherever you are, whether it's in Afghanistan, Africa, you name it; make a difference," said West. "You've got that call; that can-do attitude. Do it every day, work your butts off. I love you guys. I love the Navy Seabees. Hoorah!" said MCPON. "Hoorah!" they answered back.

During a Chief Petty Officers call at Point Mugu, a Reservist complimented the active duty Sailors stationed there for embracing Reservists but raised concerns about the divide between active and Reserve he has seen elsewhere.

"Since 9/11, I do not even talk active and Reserve; I talk Sailor," said West. "I feel we have done many things to close the gap. For example, it used to take three or four months to transition from active to Reserve and Reserve to active, now it typically takes three or four days."

The trip concluded with a trip to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Air Force One Pavilion for the Port Hueneme 70th Annual Seabee Ball, where MCPON was the guest speaker.

"Every single Seabee needs to be ready to do what is necessary, and from where I stand, I can see you absolutely are," said West. "As always, your 'Can Do' spirit will drive you through any challenges our Navy faces, and you will continue to be a prime source for expeditionary engineering forces."

Fleet engagements are intended to provide senior leadership with a frontline assessment of Sailors and what they are doing in the fleet.