There’s a group inside the US Military referred to as the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment. A few of you studying this will likely know them higher as The Outdated Guard. The regiment is the oldest active-duty infantry unit within the Military, having served the American individuals since 1784. If you happen to’ve ever seen a particular occasion involving a President, sure ceremonial occasions involving overseas leaders, or particular safety within the case of an emergency, you then’ve doubtless seen members of The Outdated Guard in motion.
Spencer Posey is without doubt one of the members of this elite group, and you’ll inform how important it’s to him simply by listening to him communicate of their position and impression on America.
“It’s such a singular piece of American historical past. We have now such a singular mission set.”
In addition to being concerned with moments at locations such because the White Home and The Pentagon, one in every of their most essential roles is in mortuary companies. Members of 1 battalion are concerned in funerals laying their brothers and sisters to relaxation.
“We’re not on the market taking pictures and communication, however we’re finishing a really completely different and essential set of missions.”
Spencer Posey has been concerned with each battalions, and he’s undoubtedly serving in a job he was meant to be in. As a child, Posey performed three sports activities in addition to chess. The game he personally loved probably the most was wrestling due to the one-on-one side that got here with matches in that sport. Chess served him very nicely additionally.
“The entire duty lies in your shoulders,” he defined. “They helped me perceive how the world works. What you place into it’s what you get out of it.”
The bodily challenges that got here with wrestling mixed with the psychological stimulation of chess made Posey a pure for serving his nation. It additionally was in his household historical past. Each of his grandfathers served in World Warfare II, and his father labored for the Military Corps Engineers in Iraq as a civilian. He additionally has a cousin that’s lively within the Marines. Posey joined the Nationwide Guard in 2008.
“My father had a giant half in serving to me make that call.”
Posey would spend a few years within the Nationwide Guard, however he expressed that the advantages of his time there stayed with him lengthy after.
“I grew up a really huge quantity,” he stated proudly. “For me, that preliminary army service at 18 actually jumpstarted my maturity and my capacity to deal with intense and troublesome conditions.”
He additionally credit that point of his life for renewing his dedication to bodily health. As a three-sport athlete in highschool, he thought he was prepared for the pains of army coaching. Nevertheless, he admitted that he was not prepared for the psychological side of it.
“The lengthy ruck marches, the early mornings and late nights, and the lengthy walks that construct resilience mentally and bodily have been robust. Being surrounded by very match individuals impressed me to push the bar on my private health.”
That push to excel in private health has helped him each personally and professionally. Apart from being licensed as a private coach and vitamin coach, he would finally be a part of the Outdated Guard and has been lively in serving to his fellow Outdated Guard members keep in high form due to the Military’s Holistic Well being and Health (H2F) System. H2F was created to assist current and future heroes stay in high form in 5 completely different domains – bodily, psychological, non secular, dietary, and sleep.
Posey defined that “Our completely different mission set takes a unique toll on our troopers. Nearly all of the toll that it takes just isn’t bodily. It’s psychological, non secular, lack of sleep, and lack of vitamin.”
When Posey first joined his present infantry, he was part of the Mortuary Affairs Group, which meant he was part of many funerals. In some instances, he helped carry the caskets of those who made the final word sacrifice. At one level, he was concerned with over 70 funerals in two weeks. He thought-about that place an honor to have, however it got here with numerous strain as nicely.
“Every thing we do needs to be good. We’re the final illustration of the US army to be with these fallen troopers. I took numerous pleasure in that, however it’s so heavy. It took a toll on me.”
Spencer Posey consulted with senior management and shared he felt that the distinctive roles his fellow troopers had required for them to have the perfect assist attainable to allow them to proceed doing their work. As nice because the troopers regarded and carried out, further deal with the opposite 4 domains could be helpful for his or her short-term and long-term futures. Senior management agreed, and Posey’s request for empowerment was granted. He’s now an H2F lead, and one in every of his obligations now’s to construct a scalable program for The Outdated Guard.
“We’re going to coach and empower present and future troopers on Holistic Well being and Health.”
It received’t simply be these in Mortuary Affairs working inside H2F. These members of the batallion that work particular occasions and escorts may also deal with all 5 domains. They is probably not in the identical circumstances, however they face their very own distinctive strain and stress.
“Their tempo is so excessive. They’re continually working, and their mission is to share the Military expertise to the bulk. They must be the perfect of the perfect, they usually should current the perfect face to the world.”
H2F is a system that can impression the Military for generations to come back. Posey is in a singular place as a result of his position is as a direct answer to points that many previous members of the Armed Forces struggled with for many years. Past the soldier in service, that member’s family members might probably prosper.
“We recruit the soldier, we retain the household,” stated Posey. “If we will empower the soldier in service, then they are going to have higher abilities and be higher built-in into society for themselves and their households. Investing into individuals like that’s the proper factor to do.”
Spencer Posey is personally making a profound distinction, and he hopes that youthful People will see that becoming a member of the army might be a alternative that not solely serves their nation, however themselves for the remainder of their lives. Exterior of H2F, Posey shared that the Military is investing into certifications and training as nicely.
“They will have that establishment and infrastructure make investments into them,” he stated. “Whether or not they step out of uniform or proceed service, they’ve these resume builders. There are lots of ways in which younger individuals can serve their nation within the army in non-combat roles. They are going to be put in positions in order that they’ll excel.”
Observe Spencer Posey on LinkedIn. You may see extra data on H2F on the U.S. Military web site.
