Intelligence Analyst scratches itch, keeps coalition troops fit
Master Sgt. Mike Lavigne, V Corps PAO
May 5, 2011
Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Wolfgang, Intelligence Analyst for the ISAF Joint Command in Kabul, Afghanistan, leads a class of coalition troops in the "flutterkick," one of the 12 abdominal exercises that makes up the "NATO Abs Class" on May 4, 2011. Wolfgang regularly teaches the class to dozens of participants here. (Photo/Petty Officer 1st Class Daniel Gay, U. S. Navy)
KABUL, Afghanistan - The sounds of cadence counting are loud, rhythmic and uniform.
While the sounds of hard physical training and the “one, two, three” count may flash you back to basic training, this is as far from an Army training center as you can get.
It’s not Fort Benning, Ga., or Fort Jackson, S. C., – it’s in the gym at the International Security and Assistance Force Joint Command. The person counting out the cadence, however, is a former Army Basic Combat Training drill sergeant serving with elements of V Corps in the International Joint Command headquarters.
Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Wolfgang’s day job – or night job in his case – is serving as the senior intelligence analyst for the Regional Command North desk in IJC’s Information Dominance Center, the command’s information and intelligence clearinghouse.
But the job that really gets Wolfgang excited, and reconnects him to his drill sergeant past, is regularly leading an abdominal workout at the gym that attracts dozens of coalition members from across the 47 nations that make up the command.
“I started instructing after attending for awhile, and even though we have participants from across the contributing nations, everyone can speak the same language in that class,” Wolfgang said. “Motivation is a common language when you’re exercising.”
While there are potentially a number of different languages that the members of the class can speak, the most common word heard is “ugh,” as much of the class struggles to keep up with Wolfgang’s pace. Part of the draw of the daily workout is not only the intensity of the exercises, but the motivation level of the man leading it.
“His experience as a drill sergeant really shows when he’s in front of the class,” said Lt. Col. Michael Mowes, one of Wolfgang’s coworkers in the IDC and a fellow Abs Class instructor. “He gets everyone motivated when he counts the cadence, and even has each of the class members count in their own language for fun.”
Wolfgang’s favorite exercise is the “in-and-out. ” He demonstrates the exercise for the class, starting off in a seated position, with his legs straight and feet together, suspended six inches off the ground.
“One,” Wolfgang shouts, as he brings his legs into a 45 degree angle. “Two,” he continues, returning to the starting position. As he repeats the first two movements with counts three and four, the class responds with a loud “ONE!” A smile crosses Wolfgang’s face, and he continues to count.
It’s painful if not performed correctly, a point Wolfgang makes every time he demonstrates an exercise before he gives the order to begin. He also wants to make sure the exercise is done properly so everybody gets the most out of each exercise.
“It’s your workout, and if the exercise isn’t done the right way, it’s not making as much of an impact on the targeted muscle group. I want to make sure I set a good example by doing the repetition the right way,” said Wolfgang.
As an intelligence analyst, Wolfgang spends a great deal of his day in front of a computer at his desk. His time in the Abs Class not only lets him scratch his drill sergeant itch, but it also allows him to give his brain a break.
“It’s also an hour a day where the boss is not going to bother you. The class is an hour all to yourself to relieve the stresses of the deployment and the work environment,” he said.
Wolfgang varies between leading the class once or twice a week, giving other members of the coalition a shot at punishing the participants. He attends six days a week.
“It really breaks the monotony of reading and thinking as an analyst,” he said. “That time in front of the class is just a great deal of fun. It’s really just recess for grownups.”