A cheerleading camp and U.S. Army training usually have little in common. But for the cheerleaders at Hart High School undergoing their summer training camp, a one-day training day with Army Reserve soldiers from the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command earlier this month gave the girls a rigorous practice course, emphasizing teamwork.

Aracely Jimenez, a team mom and Army soldier, set up the July 13 event because she knew from firsthand experience the potential in the training to help the cheerleaders grow.

“I have been in the military, they have supported me and I have trained with (the military) and been deployed myself,” she said. “A lot of the training is more mental than physical. It’s mind over matter.”

Check Out Photos from the Training Day Here

Even before the training day, Hart cheer has supported the armed forces for years.

“Hart High School has for many years collected cell phones for soldiers,” Jimenez said. It goes to the soldiers deployed anywhere in the world.”

The training itself was rigorous, putting the girls through a full training course.

“It went from push-ups and sit-ups to different hurdles to different types of running and an obstacle course — a lot of conditioning and a lot of mental wear,” said Jimenez. “It kind of conditions their mind: They don’t feel so great right now, but (they) have to get through it.”

As well as the physical training, the cheerleaders were put through a gauntlet of mental and emotional obstacles to overcome

“We had them form up in what a military platoon would. (They) have to make sure that they’re lined up for the drill sergeant. He obviously had that ‘military drill sergeant’ voice and they had to answer him,” she said. “I had two other soldiers there. They were yelling at them, giving them (tough encouragement).”

The tough-love training seemed to have brought the girls together.

“It’s a team of one as opposed to ‘I’m in JV and I’m in varsity,’” Jimenez said. “(During some of the exercises) they were about to give up on themselves but they had to finish together. They were tired and puking but they did it.”

Several girls on the team were inspired to join the armed forces as a result of the training camp.

“Some of the girls were debating joining the military,” said Jimenez. “It confirmed their desire and they said they will join.”

The coaches were also able to learn from the experience, becoming better leaders.

“I thought that working with high school girls I had to be nice and not hurt their feelings,” said head coach Amanda Lucas. “I learned I have to be stronger in the way I teach.”