Navy looking for afloat fitness and recreation specialists to serve sailors at sea.

The Navy's Morale, Welfare and Recreation Civilian Afloat Program is composed of more than 30 afloat fitness specialists and afloat recreation specialists who serve aboard aircraft carriers, amphibious assault ships and tenders. The program would like to increase its ranks.

"I set up everything from card games to movie nights, ping pong, basketball, parties, picnics, contests, tours and travel in ports, just about anything I can think of to relieve some of their stress," says NRPA Member Tracey Ford, afloat recreation specialist on board the USS Enterprise.

"I think the best program we've done so far is an event called 'Midnight Madness,'" she says. "It was a clue type of scavenger hunt in which every team had to follow a clue to figure out where the next clue was. It was at midnight, and at each place they had to say a secret code phrase to get their next clue. We ran around the ship with a video camera taping everybody. They were tip and down, left and right, all over that ship. It was so much fun. The guys had a blast."

"I help sailors improve their fitness by providing them with cutting-edge health and fitness information backed by exercise science research," says Rob Davenport, afloat fitness specialist on board the USS Kitty Hawk. "The ship has top-notch gym facilities and exercise equipment, and we have a full slate of fun and exciting fitness event challenges and events to motivate sailors to stay active and maintain their physical readiness."

Davenport is responsible for providing sailors with a comprehensive fitness program, which includes supervising and conducting group exercise sessions, as well as individualized attention. He also conducts informational sessions, including instruction on sports-specific weight training, proper nutrition, adverse effects of supplements and the benefits of properly hydration.

"The afloat fitness specialist is a multifaceted position that includes all aspects of a comprehensive wellness and fitness program," says Sharkie Stielper, civilian afloat program manager for Navy MWR. "It includes, but is not limited to, one-on-one personal training, a variety of group exercise classes, the care and maintenance of all fitness equipment, wellness assessments and fitness style athletic events. The fit boss also supports and assists the command fitness leader, as needed."

For the fit boss or fun boss, being on sea duty is personally challenging and demanding, but it gives them an opportunity to make a difference in thousands of sailors' lives. "Our day starts when the sailors' day starts, and it ends when their day ends," says Ford. "That's what the sailors need us to do, and that's why we're there. It's not an assigned duty. We choose to come to the ships, and that makes a huge difference in the quality of work that we put out and our dedication to the job--wanting to be there versus having to be there."

Notes Ford, "You're out there at the front line. You are at the tip of the spear, making sure everyone's having a good time. And in the long run, if some sailor is relaxing at the end of his day and he's not stressed out, he's going to be more effective at work the next day. It's the most rewarding job I've ever had."

For more information on opportunities in the afloat fitness specialist and afloat recreation specialist programs, contact Sharkie Stielper at [e-mail] or 90l-874-6703.--Ingrid Miller, Navy MWR Communications Group