One Marines Return From Broken To Buff

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, MD. – The weight room of The Marine Detachment on Fort Meade withworkout equipment stuffed into a dark and dank basement, and where light from outside peers through broken glass. This is home to dedication, filled by the few striving to be better.

The silhouette of a Marine dedicated to bettering himself daily casts onto marked walls with chipped paint. The shadow of Marines Pfc. Stephen Stewart improving himself.

Stewart strives to stand out from other Marines with a toned but not overly-bulky frame. A buzzed haircut kept tight to the head, and a perfectly pressed uniform, he always aims for the next goal.

With a full schedule of physical training, school and other activities the Marines on Fort Meade have limited time during the week to do the things that they are interested in. For Stewart, that extra time is spent in the gym.

“PT is always the constant.” Stewart said. “From high school to boot camp to now, it’s never changed.”

Stewart wrestled in high school, so physical training was always at the top of his priorities list. The same goes for today in the Marine Corps, where physical fitness is a top priority.

Stewart shipped off to boot camp in August, 2010. He was scheduled to graduate In November, but due to a fractured leg, he spent more than five months on the Recruit Depot in San Diego. While injured, Stewart was down, but not out. Spending his free time in the gym working on his physical strength, he focused on the muscle groups not affected by the injury.

With the set-back due to the fractured leg that happened nearly a year ago, Stewart feels behind the curve when it comes to physical fitness, so he continues additional PT on his own several days a week.

“I still feel imbalanced.” Stewart said. “I spent many months on my upper body that my legs still feel week.” He uses equipment like the squat rack and leg press in the gym to strengthen his lower body.

“Well rounded strength is a huge focus in The Marine Corps.” Stewart said. “Having that balance is what I’m looking for, because of all the different types of training that we do.” Marines are tested on several aspects of physical fitness that include the Combat Fitness Test that Marines prepare for in the second half of the year. The CFT is a whole body workout that includes running, ammo can lifts, and maneuver drills, all of which are timed.

“I’m not into the vanity muscles or looking good on the beach, I just want to be in shape for my career.” Stewart said. “Others care about how they look, I care about how I feel.”