Don Feinberg, Director of the Hood College Aquatics Facility, receives a well-deserved award for fitness promotion of USPHS officers according to his presenters: LCDR Lucienne Nelson (President of the Fort Detrick Commissioned Officers Association), CAPT Edward Pfister (Commanding Officer of the Military Standards Cadre), and CAPT Jerry Farrell (USN ret. and Executive Director of the National Commissioned Officers Association).

(L to R) LCDR Lucienne Nelson, Don Feinberg, CAPT Edward Pfister, and CAPT Jerry Farrell (USN ret.) during the award presentation

Mr. Feinberg, a triathelete himself, is an expert in physical fitness, training, and has coached a number of successful swim teams. He has acquired advanced degrees and training in physiology and fitness sciences.

"Don Feinberg recognized and responded immediately to the need for physical fitness testing and training for PHS officers by offering access to the Hood Aquatics Facility and services. This is particularly important, since the USPHS is comparatively smaller than other uniformed services, and lacks the facilities to train and test many of their officers," asserted LCDR Nelson during an interview.

CAPT Jerry Farrell USN (ret.), the Executive Director of National COA congratulates Don Feinberg and extends his enthusiastic appreciation for providing support to USPHS officers on maintaining physical readiness

"Furthermore," continued LCDR Nelson, "the ability of our branch to offer the swim test option is a welcome endurance activity for many PHS officers. PHS officers in general tend to be older, and the swim test is less taxing on the joints compared to the run test of the Navy PRT. Because of Mr. Feinberg's timely response, officers were able to make the January fitness deadlines imposed by the Commissioned Corps Readiness Force (CCRF)"

The Commissioned Corps Readiness Force, the Military Standards Cadre, and the Disaster Medical Assistance team employ some, if not all aspects of the Navy PRT test to evaluate readiness standards for officer members.

A Good Turn-out! A variety of PHS officers from the Fort Detrick COA, the Military Standards Cadre, Commissioned Corps Readiness Force Members, and Disaster Medical Assistance Team came to honor Mr. Feinberg and express their appreciation. (L to R): LCDR Diann Shaffer, CAPT Steven Wickizer, LCDR Rick Gussio, CAPT Richard Potter, CAPT Jerry Farrell (USN ret), CAPT Edward Pfister, LT Destry Sillivan, Don Feinberg, LTJG Evan Mayfield, LCDR Lucienne Nelson, and LCDR Calvin Edwards.

Many officers, after returning from the World Trade Center and Pentagon deployments caused by the September 11 crisis, utilized their options for physical readiness testing at Hoods College Aquatics Facility. In recognition for the growing need and the demanding schedule of the USPHS officer, Mr. Feinberg has extended his facilities and services to include more off-hours and training time.

"Don Feinberg's immediate response to help maintain readiness standards of PHS officers makes him an ideal community leader and a wonderful example of the spirit that many Americans have demonstrated since the September 11 crisis." commented CAPT Edward Pfister (Commanding Officer of the Military Standards Cadre).

CAPT Pfister has also noted that Don has contributed advice and counseling regarding proper testing and use of the facilities.

"Besides extending his facilities, Don's knowledge about physical training and testing has enabled him to provide us invaluable advice regarding almost all aspects of the testing and training phases" further commented CAPT Pfister.

On behalf of the COA and USPHS Emergency Responders, we salute Don Feinberg, a true example that citizen and community leaders can make a difference-Fort Detrick Branch of COA Executive Committee

Fort Detrick COA would like to thank our photographer Bobby Nelson for his outstanding work.