Army Capt. David B. Winn, a native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is an explosive ordnance disposal officer and instructor at the Naval Ordnance Disposal School at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The Liberty University in Virginia graduate routinely demonstrates his commitment to physical fitness by participating in bodybuilding and CrossFit competitions.
Located:
Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.
Unit:
20th CBRNE Command
Position:
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer and Instructor
A functional fitness journey
While many people set new fitness goals at the start of the new year, Winne said the key to success is maintaining a consistent workout schedule and working with partners.
“Complacency kills, but consistency mixes,” Wynn said. “Establish a training regimen that is sustainable for your schedule. All too often soldiers will be overly ambitious with their training plan and break it for a few weeks before they tire simply because it’s not sustainable.’
Winne started his fitness journey with bodybuilding and later switched to functional fitness.
“I’ve been lifting seriously for about 15 years and have always had a passion for training and bodybuilding,” said Winne. “For a while my only goal was to lift as heavy as I could and get as big as I could, but when I joined the Army I realized I had to change my approach to training or I could quickly become a liability to my team.”
Applying muscles for success on the battlefield
Fitness also contributes to success during low-range combat missions, when explosive ordnance disposal technicians confront and defeat explosive devices designed to harm troops and impede missions.
Winne commanded the 18th Ordnance Company when it served as the sole EOD company in Iraq in 2021. During the deployment, the 18th flew nearly 600 missions and defeated a wide variety of devices, including rockets, improvised explosive devices and explosive drones with a one-way attack that threatened US and coalition forces.
Winne says physical fitness is a critical component of being a gunfighter.
“Fitness is a universal language,” Winne said. “It is a language that civilians, other units, military occupations and even other countries understand. When you have a passion for it, it opens doors that might otherwise have been closed. I can’t tell you how many connections I’ve made through fitness with people, parts and allies I may never have had.”
Winne added that fitness helps build stronger relationships with supported combat units and allied forces.
He built relationships with Danish soldiers in the gym during his deployment to Iraq, which led to future training opportunities that improved unit readiness. “As leaders, we may be the only point of contact that these supported units know about EOD,” Winne said.
Fitness as a way of life
Winne said his focus on fitness improves every aspect of his life and helps him deal with the inevitable stress that comes with serving in a dangerous and demanding profession.
“I’ve found that studying is a healthy outlet for stress and for my mental health,” Winne said. “I can think more clearly, deal with stress at work more easily and even be a better husband and father. When you put yourself through grueling workouts, suddenly the stress of work or life becomes more manageable.”
