New addition to HAWC is ready to rock

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Torey Griffith
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  There is a new voice in the gym. Motivating Airmen to perspire and work toward a higher level of physical fitness. 

"Do work," he shouts, while encouraging his trainees to improve. 

Nathan Berkley, a student at the University of Central Missouri and an Army Reserve Officer Training Corps cadet, arrived at the Health and Wellness Center recently to help Airmen who are struggling with their Air Force Physical Fitness Test scores. 

"It's not quite personal training," said Mr. Berkley, of his work at the HAWC. "We do more form correction for running, technique advice on push ups and sit-ups, and creating workout plans." 

Dr. Nita Hawk, Health Promotions Director, said Mr. Berkley will be a great addition to the HAWC team. 

"As an Army ROTC troop, not only does Nate have military experience," she said, "He also has an academic background in this area, which will help Airmen reach their fitness goals." 

Mr. Berkley arrived in early October and is already helping Airmen improve their PT scores, which, he says, is the most rewarding part of his job. 

"Knowing I can  work with them and see results with them, and know I helped someone keep their career," is motivation for him to help more and more people, he said. "They are staying in the Air Force doing what they love, and improving their overall health." 

Differences between the structure of the Army and Air Force tests and becoming familiar with Air Force enlisted ranks have been the only difficulty for Mr. Berkley. 

"The whole fitness side of it isn't a challenge, it's the new environment of the Air Force," he said. "I had never heard of a tech sergeant till now."

Mr. Berkley's most frequent visitors are those who seek him out on their own accord.

Unfortunately, the HAWC staff anticipates more commander-mandated visitors, due to the new PT standards the Air Force has in the works. Mr. Berkley encourages people to come see the HAWC before they are ordered to. 

"Right now, the people I see now are the ones taking initiative," he said. "These are the people who have heard what I do, they know what I'm here for, and they say 'I'm going to see this guy.' So far, I haven't had anyone say, 'hey, my commander said I need to get down here.'" 

Mr. Berkley can also help those who are doing well on the test, but would like to do better. The HAWC offers many things to help Airmen reach their goals, whether it is to lose or gain weight, and Berkley is currently spear-heading the metabolic testing program designed to do just that.

"Say a person is curious about what his or her metabolism is, because they  want to know how many calories they should eat in order to put on another five lbs or ten pounds of muscle," he said.  "I can get their metabolism results and set them up to speak with a dietician, who then will set them up with an individualized diet plan to reach that goal.  Something like what you'd see in the back of a magazine." 

As the new, more stringent PT standards approach, Mr. Berkley is enthusiastic about his job, and is ready to "do work."