Feature Story – Getting Fit for Life the Army Way

from The 36th Annual Army Ten-Miler Race Program

Feature Story - ATM’s Youngest and Oldest Competitors: It's Never Too Early or Late to Start Running

The Army Ten-Miler (ATM) was conceived as a way to promote the U.S. Army, instill esprit de corps, build bridges between the Army and various civilian communities, and support Army fitness goals. Prior to each year’s race, there are countless inspirational stories of resilience from every corner, military and civilian, family members and unaffiliated people that reinforces the Army’s approach to team building, morale and confidence. Sgt. 1st Class JG Miller has one such unique story, having found his way into the U.S. Army through a less common route -- his prodigious musical talent. Selected from among hundreds of musicians who applied for a single opening in the United States Army Field Band (AFB), Sgt. Miller – then significantly out of shape – embarked on his adventure despite no connection whatsoever to the military. At his heaviest, he weighed close to 400 pounds, eating a diet laden with sodium and sugar, and with no physical exercise ethos. These days he shares his story with those facing similar hurdles, and presently mentors others who are considering an Army career.

Miller knew he would have to enlist if he was selected for the AFB, and he saw plainly that he could not sign up until he dramatically improved his health, shedding significant weight ahead of basic training. He embarked on that mission prior to his final round of auditions at Fort Meade, Maryland in August 2012.

But before running, he first had to walk. A doctoral student at the University of Southern California (USC), he credits

Getting Fit for Life the Army Way by Changing Your Tune

SGT. 1ST CLASS JG MILLER

the enthusiastic support of family and friends for his

motivation to join the Army. That encouragement, Miller says, fueled by a meeting with a nutritionist and trainer to kickstart his health and wellness education, launched his journey to good health.

Initially, he walked, because that was all he could manage at the time. As he lost weight and improved his fitness level, he moved onto jogging and eventually running. “Diet and running were the big keys for me,” Miller shared. “I never anticipated successfully running 10 miles, but running became my regular morning routine.” Not surprisingly, he includes proper rest and hydration as vital to his success in achieving and maintaining fitness.

The man who says he was on the road to a heart attack persevered, step-by-step, discovering a whole new world. Joining the U.S. Army became his solitary goal, and for that reason he credits the Army with saving his life.

Miller had lost well over 100 pounds and turned his life around by the time he enlisted in March 2013. During the interval, he received regular check-ins from his Army recruiter (Staff Sgt. Grambusch) and the Army Field Band, cheering him on to his chosen path. Next up was boot camp at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, which he considers a highlight due to the excellent structure that helped support his new lifestyle.

“I was a doctoral student in my 20s, reporting to basic training with teenagers just out of high school, but it was liberating,” said Miller. “We were all working together, supporting each other and fostering a culture of trust. At that point, we were still civilians, but we learned Army lessons on the importance of building connections and developing trust.”

JG Miller showed natural musical aptitude from a very early age, playing a number of instruments growing up in Denver. Movement outside of music was not part of his lifestyle, nor had he entertained thoughts of changing his lifestyle; after all, he was always “the big kid.” One of his more curious discoveries along his weight-loss journey was the realization as to how it affected him as a musician who had trained for some 20 years. “There was an element of

relearning as I was now using my anatomy differently,” said Miller, whose 6’ 2” frame now holds 180-pounds. “I used to just lean back and play, breathing in and breathing out, but not really using any muscles. I realized that my core was weak, but as I learned a new way of playing, I became more efficient and performed better. My body worked smarter, not harder.”

Sgt. Miller embarked on his Army career, joining the prestigious Army Field Band at Fort Meade, taking his position in the brass section with his French horn.

The lessons he learned through the process, combined with support from the Army Wellness Center, were crucial when he suffered a bad Achilles injury a couple of years ago. While he had to stop running, and now has a screw in his ankle, he happily shares that he maintained his good health, learned to be patient and found alternatives to running.

Beyond providing an inspirational story for anyone struggling with good health and fitness, Sgt. Miller and The U.S. Army Field Band are musical ambassadors. Like the Army Ten-Miler, the Army Field Band’s mission is to promote the U.S. Army to a variety of audiences, connecting the American people to their Army by telling the Army story and honoring our Soldiers and Veterans.