Ft. Bliss Moves Physical Training Start Time To Afternoon

Fort Bliss officials announced that soldiers will no longer need to report to Physical Training, or PT, at 6:30 a.m.

PT will now be at 3 p.m.

Army Maj. Gen Dana Pittard, commander of Fort Bliss, said in a news release that research on other posts has shown an increase of morale among troops because they are able to sleep longer and spend time with their families in the morning.

The schedule change went into effect on Monday. The 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command reported to PT at 3 p.m., doing lunges, sit-ups, stretches in the warm sunlight.

“Honestly, I love it,” Sgt Jon Wilbert told ABC-7, adding that he was able to take his kids to school and daycare without rushing.

“They liked having breakfast at home,” Sgt Wilbert noted.

Spc Ryan Privott said he too was enjoying the extra time in the morning, and being able to spend time with his wife and daughter.

“The morning was shot with the old way of doing it,” Spc Privott said. “So this time gives me more time to do what I need to do with my daughter.”

While the later start time to will be great in the fall and winter when morning temperatures are cold or even freezing, some soldiers have said they’re concerned about how it will be once the summer months return.

Ft. Bliss officials say they will enforce safety precautions and urge soldiers to bring plenty of water and stretch before and after their workouts.