Sailors deployed in the Horn of Africa at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti (CLDJ), were able to overcome the desert heat and avoid treacherous mosquitoes while participating in the 2010 Spring command physical fitness Assessment (PFA), the first PFA ever administered at CLDJ.

"The senior leadership wanted this to happen," said Senior Chief Petty Officer Leo Godet, the camp's command fitness leader (CFL). "Even though we are in an expeditionary environment, holding a PFA helps remind personnel that they must continue to meet the Navy's physical fitness standards, which is part of maintaining mission readiness."

Godet led a team of 12 other department fitness coordinators (DFL) from divisions throughout the command in planning and administering the historic PFA starting April 1.

"Though all of the DFLs have great interest in physical fitness, there were varying level of knowledge when it came to the rules, regulations and responsibilities of fitness leaders," said Godet, who has been a certified CFL since 1992. "Through training, hard work and sweat, the DFLs were able to step up and prepare their departments for our first PFA."

Before Godet was passing his knowledge to the camp's DFLs, CLDJ's leadership took precautionary measures to ensure this PFA would be possible. In Fall 2009, the camp tested its facilities and equipment to ensure they could support the requirements for a PFA. After this test and the performance of a mock physical readiness test (PRT), camp leadership approved the first ever PFA at CLDJ.

"Because of the high turnover rate at camp, the leadership wanted to utilize the PFA to ensure members came, stayed and left this expeditionary environment within Navy Standards," said Godet.

With the exception of a few personnel, Godet and his team of DFLs planned for and administered the 2010 Spring PFA to more than 100 personnel at CLDJ - boasting impressive results and leaving Godet proud of the DFLs.

"Because of the hard work of our DFLs, 98 percent of personnel have successfully passed the PFA," added Godet. "Not only that, the DFLs were able to educate personnel and lead them toward an overall healthier life style."

Petty Officer 1st Class Carin Deitler, a DFL for the administration department, helped coordinate the use of equipment and facilities for the PFA and said she was happy to participate in this landmark event.

"The logistics of this PFA were more difficult than most because of the operational requirements of the people deployed here," said Deitler. "But, the PFA was great. It allowed us to interact with personnel from around camp and get to know each other much better."

The toughest part of exercising at CLDJ is the scorching temperatures during the day and the swarms of mosquitoes at night or early morning, added Deitler.

Personnel deployed to CLDJ are provided with a variety of solutions to promote a healthy lifestyle and good physical fitness. The camp has a 24-hour gym with free weights, Olympic machines, treadmills, stationary bikes and much more. There is also a covered, outdoor pool and a turf field where aerobics, kickboxing, and other fitness activities are offered.

"As CFLs and DFLs, we are here to assist personnel meet and exceed Navy standards, but it is the individual's responsibility to ensure they stay within the Navy standard and are mission ready at all times," said Godet.