Holistic Health and Fitness Program Set to Reach Guard and Reserve Units

Officials announced that the U.S. Army aims to broaden its Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) program to include National Guard, Reserve, and other dispersed units via pilot studies. H2F integrates physical training, mental resilience, nutrition, and overall well-being into soldier fitness and has been successfully implemented in active-duty brigades.

The Army is now focused on extending these resources to additional units that might lack access to specialized fitness teams.

Lt. Gen. David Francis, head of the Center for Initial Military Training and deputy commanding general of Training and Doctrine Command, announced that the Army anticipates having 71 active-duty brigades equipped with H2F resource teams by October, significantly ahead of its 2030 target of 111 brigades. The current challenge lies in adapting and delivering the program to the Guard and Reserve, which comprises smaller, more geographically dispersed units.

The Army is initiating pilot programs to explore various delivery methods. This summer, an active-duty unit will participate in the first pilot at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. Future pilots will concentrate on reserve component units and those with a soldier count below 1,000.

These studies aim to identify the most effective methods for delivering H2F resources to soldiers who might lack consistent access to on-base training facilities, nutritionists, or mental health specialists.

H2F signifies a transformation in the Army’s strategy for soldier readiness, evolving from conventional physical fitness training to a more holistic model. It integrates strength and conditioning, injury prevention, mental health, sleep optimization, and nutritional guidance to enhance overall performance and longevity.

The Army is confident that broadening the program will decrease injuries, bolster soldier retention, and elevate overall combat effectiveness.

Although the Army has effectively introduced H2F to numerous active-duty units, leaders recognize that applying it to the Guard and Reserve requires innovative approaches. Officials aim to refine a scalable model by studying various approaches in these pilot programs, ensuring that all soldiers, irrespective of their duty status, can benefit from the holistic fitness program.

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