JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Several Navy personnel assigned to Joint Base Charleston attended the Command Fitness Leader certification course offered through Sam's Fitness Center, Sept. 8-12, in order to become qualified to serve as CFLs.
"Each Navy command is required to have a CFL, along with multiple assistants," explained Greg Lutz, Fitness, Sports and Aquatic director. "This is the first class we have offered in more than a year because we did not have anyone certified to teach the course."
Sam's Fitness Center is able to begin offering the training again after Drew Stallard, a Fitness Center trainer, became a certified CFL instructor this past summer. He explained that CFLs are typically chosen by commanders and the position is an extra duty performed in addition to their regular responsibilities. Their primary functions are to conduct the Navy Physical Fitness Assessment for their unit, advise the chain of command on a Physical Readiness Program, provide oversight on command physical training, as well as maintain physical fitness related documentation for the command.
Petty Officer 1st Class Brandon Skandalaris, Naval Nuclear Power Training Command section leader, explained that he considers being chosen to attend the training by his commander as a personal milestone in itself due to his own recent transformation.
"I've recently lost a lot of weight...," said Skandalaris. "I think the command saw my progress and knew that I could be a motivation to the Sailors in this position."
The certification training consists of classroom briefs, multiple gym sessions and ends with a practical exercise where students are broken into groups, given a scenario and develop a fitness plan that met the needs of their scenario. The groups then present a sample of a warm-up, primary exercise and cool-down from their plan.
"It was great training," said Skandalaris. "The PT sessions were tough, but very rewarding."
Stallard added there are other requirements Navy personnel have to meet in order to be chosen to serve as a CFL, including being a petty officer first class or higher, obtain at least an "excellent" on the physical readiness test, refrain from using tobacco products and maintain CPR certification and qualification.
"Every one of you put in 100 percent maximum effort over this week's training," said Stallard to the group of students. "That is what is going to be expected of you as a CFL, you're going to set the example."
Stallard added that the training is scheduled to be offered three to four times per year through Sam's Fitness Center. For more information, contact the fitness center at 794-4173.