Festus National Guard unit’s physical fitness program draws rave reviews

Missouri National Guard Soldiers of the 220th Engineer Company, headquartered in Festus,
participate in a grueling workout program called Cross-Fit.

By Bill Phelan
Ngmo.pao@US.ARMY.MIL

FESTUS, Mo. - It is the duty of every Missouri National Guard Soldier to maintain his or her physical readiness for service. But Soldiers of the 220th Engineer Company in Festus have taken physical fitness to a whole new level and it is paying dividends.

Thanks to the efforts of Sgt. Craig Wadlow, of Park Hills, the 220th recently instituted a grueling workout program called Cross-Fit.

"That's where I get a lot of my ideas from," said Wadlow, 26. "It is high-intensity and involves a maximum range of motion to keep your heart rate up. The program shows that you don't have to join a gym to stay fit. You can use items that you might have around the house to use in the workout. I lost 15 pounds doing it so I thought it would be fun for the troops."

On a recent drill weekend Soldier teams of the 220th could be seen holding telephone pole sections above their heads for what seemed like an eternity while one member of the team works through a series of pull-ups, push-ups, and other aerobic exercises. The pole cannot be put down until each member of the team has completed the workout circuit. Judging from the level of grunting and groaning during the routine one might think the Soldiers were being tortured, but to the contrary, the program draws rave reviews.

"The physical fitness program that Sgt. Wadlow put together is a killer," said Spc. Katie Dohrman, 25, of St. Charles. "It works the entire body. It's grueling, but it's good for team-building and it's definitely not boring. And it's fun to do it with your fellow Soldiers."

"This program is excellent," added Pfc. Ed McClanahan, of St. Louis. "I cannot say enough about it. It's a rough workout but we didn't have a physical fitness program like the regular Army does so this is great. It improves both your body and your mind."

The Cross-Fit program also drew the attention of Staff Sgt. Jonathan Edmonson, a recruit sustainment program coordinator based at the Festus Armory. Recruit sustainment gives new Guard recruits a real taste of military life before they report for basic training. Edmonson said he is considering integrating parts of the program into recruit sustainment drills.

"I am impressed," Edmonson said. "I've never seen anything like this incorporated into Army National Guard training. The day after they started doing this I started getting feedback from unit members saying that we needed to try it, so I'm taking notes."

Wadlow believes the Cross-Fit program has improved the overall physical health of his unit and he appreciates the attention the program is drawing.
"At first, all I wanted to do was have some fun with it, but all the attention is amazing because if this program gets out to all of the National Guard and the Army it would be great and that's what I'm hoping for," he said.

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-800-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.

Bricks are among the common items used in the unique physical fitness program
of the 220th Engineer Company, based at the Festus Armory.