CrossFit to Fight: Squadron houses military affiliate gym Published Jan. 31, 2014 By Christa D'Andrea Air Force Recruiting Service Public Affairs NORTH HIGHLANDS, Calif. -- There are more than 5,500 CrossFit affiliate gyms worldwide but one is making a difference in the lives of Airmen assigned to the 364th Recruiting Squadron. Located in a cinderblock warehouse loading area of the squadron headquarters is CrossFit 364 - a recognized military affiliate founded in 2011. Staff Sgt. Jason Thornhill and Senior Master Sgt. David Burgess are the founders and are also CrossFit Level-1 trainers who run classes in this small, but significant gym, every day. Capt. Samuel Murphy, who recently moved onto another assignment, also led training sessions. Most of the equipment, from the weights, bars, kettle bells and jump ropes, was purchased through personal funds. "Staff Sergeant Thornhill had done CrossFit in the past and introduced me to it," Burgess said. "He bought some equipment. I bought some equipment. We went in together and purchased some metal to have pull-up rigs built." Tech. Sgt. Clay Collins, a 364th RCS recruiter, built several jump boxes and welded the pull-up rigs. According to CrossFit.com, "Where you train is less than important than how you train and whom you train with matters more than what gear you have." The CrossFit 364 Airmen certainly fit this mantra. "Anyone from the squadron can come in and use the gym," Burges, the 364th RCS first sergeant said. "We have also trained some local first responders, local military and spouses." Burges and Thornhill have even packed up the equipment and traveled to quarterly training meetings and have helped recruiters run physical training sessions with members of their Delayed Entry Program. CrossFit normally requires a fee for the use of the brand name but being an official military affiliate means those who work out in CrossFit 364 pay no membership fees.