Albany’s Semper Fit Director Focuses on Warfighters’ Well-being

By: Betty Snider | HQMC MF COMMSTRAT

Hardwick grew up near Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany in Georgia, where he often saw Marines from the base at his local church.

The congregation often held picnics and other events on the base, but Hardwick didn’t imagine then that he would someday end up working at Albany.

The gifted athlete played football and basketball, wrestled, and ran track in high school. He earned a scholarship to Savannah State University to play running back and linebacker for the football team. After two years, he transferred to Albany State University and later graduated with a bachelor’s degree in health and human performance.

Hardwick started his career as a personal trainer at various gyms in Albany, and he also cut hair on the side. He realized he was spending a lot of time driving all over town, so he rented a space and opened a barber shop in the front and a workout area in the back.

Business was slow in 2004 when the fitness director at Albany mentioned he had an opening for a trainer. Hardwick decided to give it a try, earning about $5.80 an hour.

But after a while, Hardwick decided to go back to barbering. “I could get $12 a head for a haircut, and I could do two heads an hour,” he recalled.

He planned to give his resignation letter to his boss the next week, but the man ended up being absent from work the next week. He had resolved to go see his boss’s boss when he got called into the Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) director’s office.

After finding out his boss was no longer working for MCCS, he got an even bigger surprise. “I’ve been watching you, and I see something in you,” the director told him. “I’m going to promote you to interim fitness director. Are you ready for it?”

Hardwick quickly responded, “Yes, sir.” But recalling the story recently he laughed and confessed, “I wasn’t ready. I had so much to learn.”

The opportunity became a lesson that he still shares with others. “If you work hard and give your best, someone is going to notice.”

Hardwick never looked back and in 2016, he became Semper Fit director at Albany. He clearly loves his job.

“We are the heartbeat of the base,” he said. “Everything we do has a direct impact on the readiness and resilience of that warfighter.”

Semper Fit’s programs for families help put Marines at ease because they know their loved ones have opportunities to stay fit and make social connections.

Albany has a smaller population of Marines—about 400—than other bases, but the commitment to the mission is just as strong there as it is at larger bases.

“Our fitness center is small, but it is second to none,” Hardwick said. “We take care of our equipment and our Marines.”

Albany recently opened its Warrior Recovery Room, an innovation Hardwick championed and helped make a reality.

The relaxing space includes two massage chairs, a hydrotherapy bed, and a relaxation pod. It is designed to provide a space for Marines to decompress, unwind, recover and get back in the fight. “It is a big hit,” Hardwick said. “I knew it would be good, but it far exceeded my expectations.”

He continues to look for ways to improve the offerings at Albany, and he said Marines have asked for a running track and turf field to aid their physical training. He has added those items to his wish list.

“When you come from a larger base with [those amenities], you want that here,” Hardwick said. “And they deserve it.”

Albany’s Semper Fit program makes the most of its location about three hours from Atlanta and Panama City, sponsoring trips for the Junior Marines to attend pro sports games, beach getaways, and deep sea fishing trips.

When looking back over his career, Hardwick fondly recalls the positive interactions he has had with Marines.

“Those moments are what fuel my fire,” he said. “That’s where I get my drive and motivation.”

He remembers a Marine who was struggling with his fitness and his marriage. He asked to be put on a fitness program.

“We just started by working out,” Hardwick said. “Getting in shape is tough. But during those tough moments, you develop a closeness that allows the person to open up to you.”

The Marine shared some of his personal challenges, and Hardwick connected him with the resources available aboard the base. Additionally, Hardwick shared some of his own life experiences and the lessons learned from them.  

“Whatever we go through in life can be used to help someone else,” he said, and he encouraged the Marine. “I told him, ‘I care about you as a Marine, and I don’t want you to get kicked out of the Corps, but I care more about you as a person.”

Before long, it was evident that a positive transformation was taking place. The Marine began to arrive early to his scheduled training sessions. His attitude changed. His energy was better.

Initially, it appeared that he was there because someone was making him come. After a while, it was obvious he was coming because he wanted to be there. “I could tell; he wanted better for himself,” Hardwick said.

The Marine got himself back in shape and continued a successful career in the Marine Corps and repaired his relationship.

The now retired Marine stopped by Albany to see Hardwick and warmed his heart.