Bridging the Gap: Human Performance Resources for Active Duty and Army Reserve Soldiers
By Mark Christiani, O2X Integrated Programs Manager
Maintaining optimal readiness is a critical priority for all U.S. Army soldiers, and as a strength and conditioning coach within the Army's Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) system, my mission has been to support this objective. Throughout my career, I have been one of the few coaches who has worked within both Active Duty and Army Reserve settings. Recently, I transitioned from one of the original H2F programs on Active Duty to joining the pilot team for the Army Reserve. Early on the disparities between Active Duty and Army Reserve soldiers in terms of demographics, access to resources, and available support systems were clear. Recognizing and addressing these differences will be critical in the coming years as new opportunities emerge to enhance support for Reserve soldiers.
Demographics and Physical Readiness
The demographic differences between Active Duty and Army Reserve soldiers directly influence physical readiness and performance. Active Duty soldiers are, on average, younger and have fewer years of service compared to their Reserve counterparts. According to the Defense Manpower Data Center, the average Active Duty soldier is 29 years old with six to eight years of service, and only 9.5% are aged 41 or older. By contrast, the average Army Reserve soldier is 33 years old, with 22.6% aged 41 or older, and has eight to ten years of service (Defense Manpower Data Center).
When it comes to physical performance metrics, Active Duty soldiers generally achieve higher scores on the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). This disparity can be largely attributed to the structured and consistent physical training that Active Duty soldiers undergo daily. Conversely, Army Reserve soldiers often face challenges maintaining comparable fitness levels due to limited access to training resources and time constraints. Body composition trends also reveal that Reserve soldiers may have slightly higher body fat percentages. This discrepancy is likely a result of inconsistent training opportunities and limited professional guidance (Beynon 2024).
Access to Human Performance Resources
The human performance resources available to Active Duty soldiers are significantly more robust than those accessible to Army Reserve personnel. The H2F system provides Active Duty soldiers with comprehensive support, including access to dietitians, physical therapists, athletic trainers, occupational therapists, and cognitive performance specialists. This program ensures that soldiers have access to a multidisciplinary team of experts dedicated to optimizing their physical and mental performance. The Army Reserves are starting their H2F program with the contracted strength and conditioning coaches currently in the pilot phase with the 81st Readiness Division and commands around the country appointing military H2F representatives.
Active Duty soldiers also benefit from access to more accessible training facilities through MWR and equipment in their brigade footprint. Physical training is an integral part of their daily schedule, allowing them to train, with H2F, under the guidance of strength and conditioning coaches who tailor programs to meet individual and unit needs (in an optimal situation). This structured approach not only enhances physical readiness but also fosters resilience and injury prevention.
Challenges of the Current System
In stark contrast, Army Reserve soldiers face significant challenges in accessing similar resources. Their physical training is often limited to the two days per month allocated for Battle Assembly (BA), during which time physical readiness is only one of many priorities. Outside of these BAs, Reserve soldiers are expected to self-manage their fitness. This self-directed approach is often hindered by a lack of access to professional guidance, adequate facilities, and equipment. While Reserve soldiers are eligible for military medical services, navigating the TRICARE system to access specialists such as dietitians and physical therapists can be time-consuming and may result in delays in care.
For Army Reserve soldiers to access the same services provided by an H2F team, they must typically go through a multi-step process. This involves submitting medical referrals through the chain of command, scheduling appointments with civilian providers under TRICARE, and utilizing virtual resources or community-based fitness programs when available. While these pathways provide some level of support, they are far from the comprehensive and immediate resources available to Active Duty personnel. The other option is to pay out of pocket hundreds if not thousands of dollars for the same services.
Proposed Solutions and Initiatives
Recognizing these disparities, the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army has outlined a plan to expand H2F access to Army Reserve soldiers as part of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) 2024 initiatives. This plan includes providing H2F teams assigned to MSCs and regional commands, consisting of strength and conditioning coaches, athletic trainers, cognitive performance specialists and registered dieticians. Regional hubs could be established to serve as centers for H2F services, providing Reserve soldiers with a centralized location for accessing care and training support (Dahms 2024).
Additionally, there are many Army Reserve soldiers who are dieticians, physical therapists and occupational therapists currently serving. These SP Corp soldiers could be utilized more effectively in the Reserves as mobile Human Performance Teams. Establishing rotational schedules, these specialists, in conjunction with contracted staff, could visit Army Reserve units across different geographic regions. These teams would deliver direct access to care, bridging the gap between Active Duty and Reserve resources. The presence of these specialists would provide Reserve soldiers with tailored support, helping them address specific fitness and health challenges. These are the innovative solutions that need to be explored to address the unique challenges faced by Army Reserve soldiers.
Empowering Unit Fitness Leaders
Within Army Reserve units, there are numerous soldiers who are personal trainers, fitness enthusiasts, or even professional strength and conditioning coaches in their civilian careers. Many of these soldiers are H2F-I certified (formerly MFT) and possess the expertise to enhance their units' fitness levels. Empowering these individuals to take a leading role in unit training can have a profound impact on overall readiness. In my time with the Reserves, I have seen no shortage of excitement around training but the most common obstacle I hear is soldiers don’t know what to do.
Reserving time during each BA for these fitness leaders to conduct physical training as a teaching environment could significantly improve unit fitness. These leaders could use the time to educate their peers on proper training techniques and the fundamentals of a structured fitness program. Allocating one hour per day for fitness leaders to teach soldiers a four-week program to follow between BAs would provide a foundation for consistent progress. During this time, unit fitness leaders could demonstrate exercises, correct form, and run through the first few days of the plan. This hands-on approach not only empowers leaders to share their knowledge but also reduces uncertainty among soldiers about how to train effectively on their own.
Benefits of Equitable Support
The disparities in human performance resources between Active Duty and Army Reserve soldiers underscore the need for targeted interventions to support Reserve personnel. Equipping Reserve soldiers with equitable resources is not only a matter of equality but also a critical factor in maintaining the Army’s overall readiness. By implementing the Vice Chief of Staff’s plan and exploring innovative solutions, the Army can ensure that all soldiers, regardless of their duty status, are prepared to meet the physical demands of military service.
The establishment of traveling H2F teams and regional hubs would provide Reserve soldiers with the professional guidance and resources they need to thrive. These efforts would demonstrate a commitment to supporting all soldiers and ensuring that the Army remains a force capable of meeting the challenges of the modern battlefield.
Conclusion
In conclusion, bridging the gap between Active Duty and Army Reserve human performance resources requires a multifaceted approach. By addressing the unique challenges faced by Reserve soldiers and leveraging innovative solutions, the Army can create a more equitable and effective system of support. This commitment to readiness and resilience will not only benefit individual soldiers but also enhance the overall strength and effectiveness of the U.S. Army.
References
- Defense Manpower Data Center. (n.d.). Demographics: Military OneSource. U.S. Department of Defense. https://demographics.militaryonesource.mil/
- Beynon, S. (2024, June 10). How do you measure? Here’s how soldiers are scoring on the Army Combat Fitness Test. Military.com. https://www.military.com/daily-news/how-do-you-measure-heres-how-soldiers-are-scoring-army-combat-fitness-test.html
- South, T. (2024, April 30). Army fitness plan cuts injuries and drug use, boosts mental health. Army Times. https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2024/04/30/army-fitness-plan-cuts-injuries-and-drug-use-boosts-mental-health/
- Dahms, J. (2024, October 21). VCSA: We are going to resource the entire Army with H2F, but don’t wait. U.S. Army Center for Initial Military Training. https://www.dvidshub.net/news/483582/vcsa-we-going-resource-entire-army-with-h2f-but-dont-wait
About O2X Integrated Programs Manager Mark Christiani:
Mark Christiani serves as the East Coast Human Performance Integration (HPI) Manager for O2X Human Performance, where he supports and develops On-Site Specialists across multiple locations while helping integrate strength and conditioning, injury prevention, and holistic human performance programs for tactical and industrial organizations.
Prior to this role, Mark worked as an On-Site Human Performance Specialist supporting the United States Army Reserve 81st Readiness Division, where he delivered strength and conditioning support aimed at improving Soldier readiness and reducing injury risk. Before joining O2X, he served as a Brigade Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach at Fort Bragg and held collegiate strength and conditioning positions at Savannah State University and University of South Carolina.
Mark is an Army veteran with over a decade of experience in tactical strength and conditioning. He holds a Master of Science in Sports Medicine from Georgia Southern University and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.