--- title: "The 8 people you can’t avoid at the base gym" date: "2018-04-02" modified: "2020-10-22" authors: - name: "Blake Stilwell" job_title: "Editor-In-Chief, Air Force Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/blake/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/the-8-people-you-cant-avoid-at-the-base-gym/" categories: - "Fitness" - "Join the Military" - "Military Culture" --- # The 8 people you can’t avoid at the base gym ![]() Physical Training is part of the military way of life. Every base or post has its fitness center. Sometimes, those facilities allow retirees and even dependents to use the gym and other morale, welfare and recreation services. This sometimes creates an interesting mix of people. --- Base gyms are different from civilian gyms for many reasons — from the enlisted personnel working there to the fact that some of the people are working out only because they were ordered to. But clearly there are some distinct characters that every service member runs into when he's got to pump some iron or burn some miles in the base gym. ### 1. The Naked Retiree It must be nice to be retired. Retirees get a good pension and all the fringe benefits of being in the service – including gym access. They definitely deserve it. What does one do with the extra time? Hang out in the locker room naked, of course. ![]() And when they need to dry off their unit, they look no further than the hand dryer. ### 2. "The Serial Farter" aka "Stinky" It's not a secret that [protein gives people gas](). But the rest of us shouldn't have to lift weights at MOPP 4 because you don't get enough fiber. Stop crop-dusting your wingmen and try a Lactaid if it bothers your stomach so much. ### 3. "The Couple Conducting Foreplay" ![]() *(BodyBuilderTime.com)* We get it. You married in AIT or Tech School and you're so in love you never want to be apart — even when you work out. Can you wipe off the stability ball when you're finished? ### 4. "The Grunt" ![]() No, not infantry. This is the guy who grunts way too loud at every rep, as if it was sheer heroism that allowed him to pump the 30-pound dumbbell *every time*. He's working out and he wants you all to know it. ### 5. "Mando-PT" Unlike the previous characters, this is the tragic one: the one who doesn't want to be there but has to be. Maybe it's not his fault he gained some weight. An injury, being a Navy Nuke, or the food in the Charleston, South Carolina, area are all pitfalls that could happen to any one of us. ### 6. "The Pharmacist" They take some vitamins, a pre-workout, and some creatine before they even change for their workout. Then they mix a blender bottle full of ULTRA MAXX PUMPZ protein powder. Then they carry around a repurposed gallon jug of water (or worse, multiple bottles) to drink while they bang out some squats. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXuM6nzoQRc At least supplements have come a long way in the past 30 years. ### 7. "Boots n' Utes" These are the people working out in camo pants, boots, and undershirt instead of regular workout clothes or PT uniforms. Full ruck optional. ### 8. "The Pork Chop Platoon" Another bunch of tragic figures, this is the group of people who failed a PT test and now have to be there – as a group – seven days a week. ![]() ## Author Blake Stilwell is We Are The Mighty's Editor-in-Chief, covering military news, entertainment, and history, along with veteran education, employment and entrepreneurship. He is a former U.S. Air Force combat cameraman with degrees in Graphic Design, Television and Film, International Relations, Public Relations, Business Management and Middle Eastern Affairs. After leaving the military, he began working in film and television production in New York and Los Angeles, work that included ABC News, NBC Olympics, and HBO Sports. He then spent two years in Washington with White House Communications, before joining the Near East Foundation. At NEF he served as an International Development Fellow, then Communications Officer, and finally, Media Officer for the Middle East and Africa. Based in the Palestinian Territory, he coordinated strategic communications between eight country offices, international media, and government and NGO partners. He began a career focused on writing and editing in 2015 with We Are The Mighty. He left in 2019 for Military.com, but returned as Editor-in-Chief in 2025. Blake’s work has been seen on CBS News, Fox News, CBC, The Chicago Tribune, Task & Purpose, Military Times, Recoil, Skillset, American History, and was shockingly even used in a Supreme Court argument. He is an avid traveler and small business owner in Ohio, where he spends most of his energy fixing up a very old house. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Twitter]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()