Fort Stewart, Ga.

-

Having a healthy, well-conditioned unit is a top priority for the Maintainers of the 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Third Infantry Division. Thats why when their Soldiers incur injuries, they are placed in the units Reconditioning Physical Training Program designed to help Troops heal faster so that they can return to their units and continue mission requirements.

The reconditioning program- which was created about seven months ago- is led by 1st Lt. Alyson McWherter, Company C, 703rd BSB, and Staff Sgt. Horace Bright, with Headquarters and Headquarters Company.

Our goal from the beginning has been to rehabilitate Soldiers back to the fight as quickly and effectively as possible, 1st Lt. McWherter said.

The Soldiers enrolled in the program are divided into categories based on their degree of injury and physical limitations. This allows the Soldiers to avoid causing further damage to their current injury while maintaining their physical fitnessthus encouraging a quicker recovery.

Third ID Deputy Commanding General for Maneuver, Col. Christopher Hughes, presented 1st Lt. McWherter, Staff Sgt. Bright and four of their instructors: Sgt. Isabel Ruiz, HHC; Sgt. Jessica Hornes, Co. C; Sgt. Chandra Williams and Spc. Kimberly Knox, Co. A, with coins, June 22. Colonel Hughes witnessed the program first-hand at the 4IBCT fitness facility and said he was impressed with not only the organization of the program but also the intensity and variety the instructors brought to the Soldiers.

It was an honor to be recognized for our hard work, Sgt. Ruiz said. None of us knew he had seen us; we were just doing our job.

The instructors and Soldiers associated with the 703rd BSB reconditioning program have set a new standard for future programs and said that their hard work and commitment has contributed to its success.