CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq – “The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed at war,” said the late Gen. George S. Patton.
Soldiers of 3rd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment and the Marines of the 50th Brigade Military Transition Team have opened the doors to the “MiTT House” gym on the Basra Naval Base to their Iraqi Army counterparts.
“It’s fun to workout with IA soldiers,” said Pvt. Tyler Senior, an armor crewman from Coralville, Ind. “Although there is a language barrier, working out is one of those things you can do together.”
The MiTT House gym has become a popular area on base and is usually filled with Iraqi Soldiers eager to work out. Iraqi Soldiers have taken an interest in learning workout routines used by U.S. Soldiers and Marines, including cross fit and kettle bells. Some U.S. Soldiers find themselves acting as personal trainers to the IA at times. “A lot of the Iraqi Soldiers get in the gym and aren’t sure what to do, but they’re eager to learn and they usually follow the lead of any Soldiers working out at that time,” said Pfc. Miguel Romero, an armor crewman from Roswell, N.M.
Working out together allows a relaxed environment for Soldiers to interact with Iraqi counterparts and is working to strengthen the friendship between Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers on the naval base.
