Over the last decade, the Army has seen a decrease in overall fitness of Soldiers entering initial training. To counter societal changes, the Soldier Athlete Initiative is focused on training these Soldiers in a physically holistic way. The initiative emphasizes physical readiness, performance nutrition, and injury prevention to better prepare Soldiers for strenuous training and the difficulty of the battlefield. A Soldier needs to train for conflict just like an athlete trains for a competition. By training, fueling and caring for injuries, Soldiers will be better prepared to face the challenges of full-spectrum operations.

Check out the video below with TRADOC’s deputy commanding general for Initial Military Training, Lt. Gen. Mark P. Hertling, as he discusses the Soldier Athlete initiative designed to ready our Soldiers bodies for the challenges they face in battle.

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To learn more about the Soldier Athlete Initiative, visit www.army.mil/TRADOC.

Soldiers, how do you get/stay fit?

If you’re outside of the military, it’s hard to grasp the importance of training in military life. To turn young men and women into war-ready professionals is a serious process, involving significant expediture of time and money. It’s an investment that builds our Army, and makes it the best in the world.  For an Army that has spent the last nine years at war, creating an evolutionary training process that reflects changing needs on the ground is incredibly important. It makes the difference in our success, and saves lives.

Understanding the importance of military training, specifically the initial military training that takes part when a person first makes the decision to enlist, this fall Congress authorized the appointment of Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling as Deputy Commanding General for Initial Military Training. It’s an old mission with a new charter, and a new organizational structure that is meant to focus on changing methodologies.

To open the gates of discussion and help build understanding about IMT, Lt. Gen. Hertling will join bloggers and journalists for a roundtable discussion this week. The theme – how they’re adapting training for new Soldiers.

Lt. Gen. Mark P. Hertling speaking at his promotion ceremony at Fort Monroe, Va., on Sept. 29, 2009. As the Deputy Commanding General for Initial Military Training he oversees entry training for thousands of incoming Soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Angelica G. Golindano)

I’d love to hear your thoughts on IMT in the comment section. What do you think the Army should do to better train its newest Soldiers? Also, please listen live Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. ET as Lt. Gen. Hertling provides his perspective, and takes questions.