Naval Mobile Construction Battalion THREE
Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3, Det. Morocco, run up a sand dune during a physical training session. NMCB 3 is an expeditionary naval construction element assigned to U.S. 6th Fleet’s commander, Task Force 68, to provide construction, engineering and security services that support national strategy, naval power projection, humanitarian assistance and contingency operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Construction Electrician 3rd Class Rebecca Wydeen)
ROTA, Spain – Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3’s focus on a culture of fitness has resulted in a combined weight loss of more than 1000 pounds while on deployment to countries all throughout Europe and Africa from February to August 2012.
In March 2012 the 21st Century Sailor and Marine Initiative was rolled out by the Secretary of the Navy and one of the pillars of the program was to transform the culture physical fitness testing into a culture of fitness.
To complete this goal each detachment site conducted physical training (PT) six times a week as part of the normal work routine.
Because NMCB 3 was deployed to more than eight countries throughout Europe and Africa each location possessed different terrains, climates, and facilities available for PT. This made holding PT six days a week challenging for the entire battalion.
At the main deployment site in Rota Spain, all of the Seabees held PT together every Monday and Friday at 5:30 A.M. On Mondays they focused on strengthening exercises and short runs that built speed while on Fridays they focused on long endurance runs.
On June 8, which was a Friday PT session, the commanding officer challenged the Seabees in Spain to a voluntary 10 mile run and more than 75 of them participated.
“We offered the rest of Friday off to anyone that participated in the run,” said Cmdr. Scott Raymond, the Commanding Officer of NMCB 3. “I was pleased when more than 90% lined up to participate in the run. I was even more pleased to see many of the participants finish the run, go shower, then come in to work regardless of having the day off. This is an outstanding indicator of the character of these Seabees in NMCB 3.”
“We have been having four, five, and even six mile runs during command PT every week,” said Construction Mechanic 2nd Class Shawn Conley, command fitness leader.
“Because we routinely train harder than the physical readiness test (PRT) the 10 mile run was actually easy for us.”
While Conley admits the number of people that participated in the run surprised him, he also believes NMCB 3’s PT program is really helping change everyone’s mindset to a culture of fitness.
Throughout the rest of the week each company in Spain still holds PT at 5:30 A.M each day but they modify it based on company goals.
Headquarters Company, consisting of the fleet support rates, would conduct Yoga on Wednesdays while allowing their Sailors to focus on fitness goals, such as weight loss or strength building, on Thursdays. Delta Company, the company responsible for vertical construction projects, uses the other days of the week to conduct small unit PT that consists of calisthenics and short runs. Meanwhile, in Alfa Company, the company responsible for horizontal construction and equipment maintenance, focused on long distance running.
The variety of fitness is not limited to the main group of Seabees in Spain. In Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, the Seabees held PT as a large group every Monday and the rest of the week they break up into smaller groups to conduct cross fit, circuit training, or sometimes just a focus on core or upper body strengthening days.
“We try to incorporate high intensity interval training, which helps enhance metabolic conditioning in a shorter time frame,” said Navy Counselor 2nd Class Norman Patton an assistant command fitness leader. “The goal was to change the way our Seabees looked at fitness, and to give the knowledge on how to attain successful fitness program on their own.”
“I have lost 40 lbs since I have been deployed to Djibouti,” said Utilitiesman Constructionman Michael Arnold. “I feel that that the support from shipmates along with self determination to increase my physical shape and personal health were the main contributors in my successful weight loss.”
In Tan Tan, Morocco, 26 of NMCB 3’s Seabees held PT at 5:30 P.M. every day. Frequently it consisted of 3.5-mile-cross-country runs across the desert dunes and hard dirt. The Seabees in Morocco alternated their training by following the Navy Operational Fitness and Fueling Series (NOFS) of workouts using resistance bands and some times have beach runs and games of ultimate frisbee. Once a week they challenged their Moroccan army counterparts to a game of soccer.
“The weekly soccer matches with our Moroccan counterparts are great cardio workouts and provide interaction with them that we would not have otherwise. Win-win in my book,” said Builder 3rd Class Romas Andrijauskas.
In Sigonella, Italy, the detachment of Seabees broke up the monotony of the group PT by having PT sessions conducted by MWR fitness trainers or they have gym days where they can focus on weight lifting or cardio.
”The variety of workouts they are doing and the opportunity to built their own fitness routine really helped with their fitness, also making right choices when it comes to meal choices,” said Master Chief Utilitiesman Barry Bender, the NMCB 3 senior enlisted leader in Djibouti. “Good leadership was key to our success, we made sure that the troops who needed a little motivation or a little push had the help they needed it whether it was with fitness or nutrition.”
NMCB 3 is an expeditionary naval construction element currently assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Europe, 6th Fleet’s Task Force 68 to provide construction, engineering and security services that support national strategy, naval power projection, humanitarian assistance and contingency operations.
Chief Mass Communication Specialist Jesse Sherwin, Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Carson, Construction Mechanic 3rd Class Keith Roman, and Builder Constructionman Zavier Favila contributed to this story.
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