U.S. Army Center for Initial Military Training’s Post

Great article about the H2F program and how it can be so beneficial to our soldiers long term quality of life. I look forward to seeing how the program is utilized, funded, and implemented in the next phase.

Certain branches of the military, such as special forces, train for longer and more grueling rucks in a variety of weather, terrain, and operational conditions. After all, what better way to move troops long distances with their gear than to strap it on their back and have them carry it?   Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e3sTj2Bp  #fitness #health #chicagohealth #healthylifestyle

Don’t let the physical fitness requirements of the US Army prevent you from serving. I have spoken with many #PreMed and #MedicalStudents who opt to apply for the Health Professions Scholarship Program (#HPSP) with other military branches because they have concerns about being able to pass the Army Combat Fitness Test (#ACFT). For those who don’t know, the ACFT evaluates a Soldier’s physical fitness. From my experience working with Soldiers, the ACFT is not as daunting as it may seem. With just a little training, it’s relatively easy to pass. However, if you’re aiming for a maximum score, it will require a significant amount of training and effort. Like studying for a test, practicing the events and the supplemental exercises will result in a higher score and a greater likelihood of passing. Be All You Can Be! Go Army!

In 20 years, I failed two APFTs. The first during BCT, the second at SOLT. I can't count the number I passed. I took the ACFT three times before retiring, and passed all three, over 40. As a Reservist, there were no 0530 formations for group exercise. I was on my own. The test is not the problem, it's accountability at the Leadership and individual level. The Army has published an FM and ATP for H2F. Take a jog any weekday morning, on any major Army installation in the world, and you'll see it: Soldiers doing the right thing, training to standard; and Soldiers being allowed to half-ass it by an NCO who stopped caring about the Army, when they picked up that first rocker. The APFT was too easy. You could do three exercises consistently, and pass the test. The ACFT requires you to exercise your whole body, regularly, just like the doctor says. I would like to see more articles and research on the body types of male and female failures, past APFT scores for those ACFT failures, time in service, MOS, HT/WT and tape, and which events men and women are failing. That information would promote a more informed discussion about the ACFT, and identify trends that leaders can follow to inform their formations.

While several military jobs no longer require the same level of activity, is it really appropriate to remove size-based screening for posts where equipment has to be standardized for function and production (aircraft, armoured vehicles, naval equipment etc…) and even weapons. The stigma part is another story and speaks to the military’s and society’s way of building value hierarchies based on pretty arbitrary things like job descriptions (forward operator versus analyst). Reevaluating Military Fitness Standards https://lnkd.in/eHNqar3W

Great article! Challenges the assumption inherent in current ACFT, that strength is the best indicator of combat readiness. Thoughtful recommendations bear further consideration.

The interesting thing is that the sleep aspect is so easy to fix. Simply don't have PT formations at 0630. Have a staggered start to the day with one group at 0630, another at 0800, and yet another at 0930 and rotate it every few weeks or monthly even. This would also allow better performance and utilization of SCC's during PT. Teach the importance of sleep for recovery, mental health, etc. to soldiers. Remember many times these are kids coming straight from High School where they had later start times usually because all research shows those kids need later start times. #change

The wholistic health program on the operational side for the U.S. Army. The hard part is that usually those who do the write up and data mining are the experts. The ry can’t be everywhere. When the hiring is done, it’s not easy to find experts who are seasoned. Those hired may have been with sport teams or other noteworthy placements. Yet, patient treatment skill set for providers may be entry level. The U.S. Air Force Pays stated that civilian and military PTs were not trained to successfully be embedded PTs. The USAF created the Operational and Tactical Embedded PT Fellowship. Yet, we place new grads five years out (still a student for 2-3 yrs out of school) in specialized roles to oversee complicated war fighter care. Dry needling, stretching, traction, and crack all that cracks manipulation doesn’t cut it for aviation. Gz in to the spine act differently. If they tell you to hold stretching positions to treat pain, call me. A provider should be able to get rid of pain without needles. I have for 22 years, and so have many I know. The U.S. Navy and US Marine Corps needs this level of support. The Air Force has Optimizng Human Weapons Systems. $100M POM’d. It’s time to take care of the rest, and often the best, in aviation. Investments now save VA claims for double the amount in service years. We can start with a few SMEs under CNO, CNAL, CNAP. It’s time. The Navy has done more with less for longer than any other branch. Let’s give the human power the support they need. #flynavy #navalaviation U.S. Naval Air Forces US Navy U.S. Coast Guard United States Naval Academy #pilots #helicopter #aviationsafety

This article is an opinion. What is most important, a physically and mentally competent military or a physically and mentally compromised military for the sake of numbers? In combat, will the US Military be able to call time out in a TIC or ambush or search and destroy to allow our military personnel to get their breath since they are lacking physically. Will the Chinese, Russians, Iranians, and North Korean soldiers play along with our requested time out or just put a bayonet in the hearts of military personnel while they rest.? How far and how much can we rationalize standardized tests? Numbers are great but we need lions and not sheep.

This article is an opinion. What is most important, a physically and mentally competent military or a physically and mentally compromised military for the sake of numbers? In combat, will the US Military be able to call time out in a TIC or ambush or search and destroy to allow our military personnel to get their breath since they are lacking physically. Will the Chinese, Russians, Iranians, and North Korean soldiers play along with our requested time out or just put a bayonet in the hearts of military personnel while they rest.? How far and how much can we rationalize standardized tests? Numbers are great but we need lions and not sheep.