I'm sure this isn't news to most, but the increased focus on becoming a "Tactical Athlete" has been gaining some ground. The following is from www.militaryathlete.com and offers concise guidance on how we may better prepare our Soldiers for their lifestyle.
FOR THE MILITARY ATHLETE ......
YOUR BODY IS YOUR PRIMARY WEAPON.
If you are unfit or injured, you are a liability to your unit, not an asset.
YOU ARE A PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE.
Professional athletes use their bodies to earn a living. Soldiers are professional athletes. Your paycheck not only depends upon your fitness, but so too does your combat performance and survivability.
1) Take Responsibility for your own fitness.
Self Educate through professional reading, seminars, etc.
Stop “working out” and start “training”.
Make training a professional habit - not a burden. Not an afterthought.
Train appropriately for your job, not for your “sport” or what you’re good at or like to do.
Demand/Give command support: coaching/equipment/time.
2) Fix your diet.
Professional athletes don’t eat crap.
Good nutrition doesn’t take rocket science. It takes discipline.
FITNESS ATTRIBUTES OF A MILITARY/TACTICAL ATHLETE
1) High Relative Strength
2) High Work Capacity for Short/Intense Events
3) Stamina for multiple events over a long duration. Also, stamina for a long event.
4) Mental Toughness
5) Durability for a long career
I appreciate their focus on command support and training rather than working out.
It's something we can work towards.
