Improving health and fitness across the force remains a top priority for Army leadership. The Fort Rucker Army Wellness Center and Lyster Army Health Clinic's Physical Therapy department have partnered to teach an Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) Performance Optimization Class. The class will use physical demonstrations with ACFT lane equipment to improve the ability to correctly perform and execute the ACFT. Soldiers will receive handouts alongside the physical demonstration to aid in learning from certified strength and conditioning specialists and physical therapy professionals.

First Lieutenant Nichelle Pascoe, Lyster’s Physical Therapy Clinic Chief explained, “With the Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) not arriving at Fort Rucker until Fiscal Year 2025, it’s all the more important to utilize organic strength and conditioning specialist and physical therapist assets. Musculoskeletal injuries account for 11 million limited duty days in the Army, and learning about common training errors from experts will equip Soldiers to meet the rising demand for Force readiness.”

ACFT Performance Optimization Class:

WHO: Permanent Party and Flight School students. Maximum of 25 per class.

WHERE: Lyster PT Field and respective unit’s PRT field and Beaver Box

WHEN: Weekdays 0600-0730

WHY: Improving Aviator readiness and ACFT pass scores

HOW: By reservation, please contact either the Army Wellness Center or Lyster’s Physical Therapy Clinic

•      Army Wellness Center (334) 255-3923.

•      LAHC, Physical Therapy (334 255-7483/7169.

“We understand that training for the standards may be stressful for some people that are not accustomed to training in a new manner. Leaders can call us to schedule a time for us to come out to their units to teach this very informative class,” remarked David Virgil, Supervisory Health Educator at the Fort Rucker Army Wellness Center.

The Army Wellness Center provides programs and services that improve and sustain health, performance, and readiness of the Total Army delivered by highly trained health professionals. Located at 4102 Gladiator Street, Building 4102 and is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., closed for lunch 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., and Wednesday hours 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. AWC programs and services are available to Active-Duty Soldiers/Reserve/National Guard, Dependents, Military Retirees, and Department of the Army Civilians/Department of Defense Civilians. For more information or to schedule an appointment, class or group health coaching reservation, call (334) 255-3923.

To learn more about services and programs available at Lyster Army Health Clinic, visit Home (tricare.mil)