MARION — Ken Weichert, a six-time Soldier of the Year and master fitness trainer, will visit Marion Military Institute to speak and lead an hour-long physical training session.

The veteran of both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Desert Storm is the third Paul B. Anderson Honor and Respect speaker this year. He and his wife Stephanie, a certified personal trainer will make their appearance at the MMI Chapel at 11 a.m. Feb. 17. The physical training session is scheduled for 3:15 p.m.

“This is going to be a great opportunity for the cadets as they get to train with such a high class fitness instructor,” said Maj. James Lake, professor of military science, “but something tells me we are all going to be worn out by the time the physical training is over. Ken’s workouts are extremely intense and I’m not even sure I am completely prepared.

Weichert, also known as Sgt. Ken, and his wife have been featured on ABC, NBC and CBS and a host of nationwide newspapers and magazines.

The couple produce health and fitness programs for GX Magazine and the National Guard Web site. They have written articles for “Backpacker,” “Outsider” and “Health” magazines. They continue to write for military.com.

Stephanie founded the START Fitness program, a group exercise and hiking business delivering workouts for soldiers and civilians since 1998.

The couple has led thousands of soldiers to better health through Operation Fit to Fight, an instructor training program designed to prepare soldiers for basic combat training, deployments, leadership schools and post-deployment reintegration.