The U.S. Army is accelerating its Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) program expansion, demonstrating substantial benefits in soldier recovery, fitness, and marksmanship. Initially fielding H2F teams to brigades in 2021, the program is set to support 50 brigades by year’s end, with an ambitious goal to cover 111 brigades by 2027—advancing its original 2030 target.
Early results are promising. Units with embedded H2F teams have experienced a 14% decrease in behavioral health issues compared to the Army-wide average, and musculoskeletal injuries have dropped by approximately 30%. Moreover, there’s been an uptick in soldiers passing the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), a reduction in substance abuse, and an increase in expert rifle marksmanship qualifications.
Col. Jason Faulkenberry, the H2F program director, stressed the importance of investing in soldiers, stating, “New weapons systems are pointless if you don’t have the soldier to man them… I love seeing this investment in soldiers because we know soldiers will always be used in any future conflict, versus investing in a technology that may or may not be used.”
Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer highlighted the multi-faceted approach of H2F, encompassing fitness, sleep, mental health, nutrition, and spiritual health. “It’s not the equipment I get excited about, it’s the subject-matter experts that come with the equipment,” Weimer said, emphasizing the significance of mental and spiritual well-being in a soldier’s resilience.
The drive for improved soldier fitness comes at a critical time as the Army navigates discussions on the ACFT’s future. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth strongly advocated for the test, aiming to cultivate a culture of fitness within the ranks. “I am a believer in the ACFT. I think it’s a better test,” she declared, amidst Congressional deliberations over potential changes to the test standards.
“H2F is the epitome of a people-first program,” lauded Brian Hatler, the brigade’s H2F Program Director.
As the H2F program continues to grow and evolve, its early successes offer a blueprint for integrating holistic health strategies across the Army’s various units. By emphasizing the overall well-being of its soldiers, the Army is setting a standard for military readiness and transforming the paradigm of soldier fitness for the future.
“In summary, units with H2F have better injury control, better return to duty outcomes,” stated Thompson. “The Soldiers have less negative behavioral health issues, they’re shooting better, they’re moving better and they are more fit and they are increasing they’re deployability at a faster rate.”
Brig. Gen. Deydre Teyhen, the Defense Health Network Director for the National Capital Region, noted those H2F teams are also doing this with about one third of their formation changing out every year, making those results even more impressive.
Relevant articles:
– Army Quickly Expanding Holistic Health and Fitness Teams Following Promising Early Results, Military.com
– Outstanding H2F programs recognized at Symposium, Army.mil
– Secretary Wormuth Wants the Army Combat Fitness Test to Stay as Congress Debates Its Fate, Military.com
– Army discusses future of Holistic Health and Fitness at symposium, DVIDS