By Maj. Margaret Ziffer
105th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

SALINA, Kan. - Sixteen Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery Regiment, 130th Field Artillery Brigade trained to become the Kansas Army National Guards newest validated graders for the Army Combat Fitness Test Aug. 4-5 at the Great Plains Joint Training Center in Salina.

In addition to educating and certifying the students on how to conduct and grade the ACFT, which becomes the official Army physical fitness test of record Oct. 1, leaders and instructors hope the course will have the lasting impact of helping to set in motion a shift in Kansas Army National Guard fitness culture.

This is a train the trainer course, said Command Sgt. Major Darrian Campbell, command sergeant major of 1st Bn, 161st FA Regt. The overall intent is for Soldiers to be able to go back to their units and train other people on how to grade Soldiers taking the test. This a new test, this is something new to the Army, and theres certain education and requirements you have to have to be at the different levels of administering it, supervising it and grading it.

Staff Sgt. Bronson Shipman, master fitness trainer and ACFT project non-commissioned officer for the state of Kansas, explained that in order to certify as graders, students have to complete all six events of the ACFT, as well as complete a list of other tasks.

We go through each event individually and specifically so that the graders know what theyre looking for to prevent injuries and also to know whats going to count and not count as a repetition, Shipman said.

Students also walk through how to set up the course lanes and complete a mock ACFT, where the instructors take the test and the students grade.
The two-day training concludes with a written exam at the end.

In addition to teaching the students all the technicalities of administering the test and training other graders, Campbell said he hopes the course teaches students not to be intimidated by the ACFT.

I know theres a lot of talk, Campbell said. People say, thats going to exclude me, Im going to have to get out, Its going to be too hard, I cant do it. But I think thats mostly people watching from the sidelines. I think once they get involved, theyll see that they are very capable of performing these exercises.

Shipman also attested that many Soldiers have expressed apprehension about the new test.

I hope that students take away the idea that this test is attainable, Shipman said. And that they also go back to their units with a positive attitude about the test. Theres a lot of negativity around the test right now. Its our job to change that mindset and have a more positive attitude. So if these students could go back and say look, the test isnt that bad. Im going to show you how to do it. Thats the main thing. As well as trying to get them a little more focused on getting into shape.

While Shipman and his team of master fitness trainers have the primary goal of setting Soldiers up for success by Oct. 1, more broadly, they also hope to help shift the culture of fitness in the Kansas Army National Guard.

As civilian Soldiers, its easy to get into a sedentary lifestyle because were not in the uniform 28 days of each month, Shipman said. We all have to change the mindset and be more geared toward fitness. Were going to have to start training.

Shipman explained that the current test of record, the Army Physical Fitness Test, could often be passed by Soldiers who only train last minute the APFT did not require them to maintain high levels of physical readiness throughout the year. But he cautions Soldiers that that strategy will not be effective if they hope to be successful on the ACFT.

Start training now, Shipman said. Go out and research what the test is and start working on those events individually. That way you know what you have to work on to get better at. Be ready.

Other than increasing levels of physical fitness perennially, Shipman said the ACFT has the additional benefit of helping increase overall Soldier readiness through injury reduction.

The ACFT is an 80 percent predictor of a Soldiers ability to perform their job during combat, so if they can successfully pass the ACFT, they are going to be successful in their job, therefore helping to prevent any injuries they might sustain, Shipman said.

While the responsibility to train properly and pass the ACFT is an individual one, unit leaders also play a roll.

As a battalion command sergeant major, I want to make sure Im educated that I know the test and I know the standards because Im the one that is going to be responsible for enforcing those standards, Campbell said. Im out here because I want to experience it and become educated on it, but I also want the Soldiers to look up and see that the command is supporting it and I want to show that its important to the force in order to keep our lethality.

Shipman agreed that leadership can play a roll in shaping the fitness culture of the organization, and suggested that units consider incorporating physical training into their monthly training plans.

Those two days might not drastically change a Soldiers level of physical fitness, but its going to teach that Soldier what he or she can do while theyre not at drill in order to get in better shape, Shipman said.

Shipman, who has trained over 60 graders and administered the ACFT for over 400 Soldiers state-wide so far, said physical fitness has played a prominent role in his life since he graduated basic training at 19 years old. Later this month, he will complete his certification as a personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and he plans to continue his full-time work as a master fitness trainer for the Kansas Army National Guard helping Soldiers achieve their fitness goals, through the advent of the ACFT and beyond.

Its an honor to be a part of it, Shipman said. Its a huge transition for the Army overall, so to be on the front lines of it is a good feeling. We are getting a good predictor of how we are as the guard and where were at in the state as far as our physical fitness capabilities. Its been an eye opener for some of the Soldiers. But getting them to actually take the test is helping them realize that its not insurmountable.