Increasing Army readiness through the implementation of a physical training corps.
Abstract
Physical fitness is a key component in evaluating both unit and individual Soldier readiness. Looking forward to the potential challenges faced by operating in an increasingly complex environment, commanders must ensure that their units are physically ready to deploy, and accomplish the full range of military operations on short notice. While the Army currently utilizes FM 7-22, Army Physical Readiness Training to plan and conduct physical training, there is currently no overarching Army doctrine that focuses specifically on individual or collective physical fitness as it relates to the Army's new Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) program. As a result, commanders and staffs are often unable to implement effective training strategies that maximize physical fitness for a given environment, nor ensure that injured Soldiers recover quickly and efficiently. This study identifies an increased emphasis on physical readiness without a corresponding methodology to ensure its success. AR 350-1 states that physical readiness is an integral part of ground combat readiness, but the lack of a uniform physical training practice creates significant policy and training gaps in readiness attainment between individual Soldiers, units, and major commands. This study recommends changes to doctrine, organization, training, leadership, and personnel based on an applied professional case study of the British Army; who share most of the physical readiness challenges faced by the U.S. Army. However, the British Army differs from the U.S. Army in the fact that it possesses a physical training corps that overseas and implements and conducts physical training and injury recovery policy and training. The changes proposed by this study require leadership from the service secretary to the battalion level, and will require additional oversight and assistance from a number of stakeholders.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 14, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1106135
Entities
People
- R. Scott Emmons
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College