Tactical Training: Who is a Tactical Athlete?
Who is a tactical athlete? Tactical Athletes cover a wide array of people. Both men and women. They may be employees or volunteers for their community, state or national organizations. Whose missions are to protect civilians against various threats, both domestic and international. Tactical athletes include, soldiers, military contractors, police officers, firemen and women, paramedics and any other person that uses there body for there job to protect and serve. The population I work with is the US Army’s active-duty soldier population, so that is whom I will focus on in my writing. With the highest populated military base in the world, Fort Bragg, NC 1/2 mile from our doors it’s only fitting.
I have had the opportunity to train soldiers from every branch of the Armed Services in my career. In 2009 I had the honor while out with the NSCA in Colorado Springs, to work with US Army soldiers. These soldiers included 10th Special Forces Group (Green Berets), out of Fort Carson, CO. It has been an exciting and very fulfilling opportunity I have had for the past 9 years. I learned very early on about the extreme demands placed on these tactical athletes. And have been able to see the forest for the trees ever since.
Tactical athletes need to be ready to respond to any and all threats, whether they are physical, environmental or psychological. Hence why physical fitness is a huge component in there preparation and training. If a tactical athlete weren’t in peak physical condition, their ability to complete their job could be limited. This could result in their death or someone else’s, so the stakes are high. There is way more on the line for these guys and gals then a competitive sport athlete.
Their “sport” season started the day they joined…
When looking at what’s expected of a Tactical Athlete they share a lot of attributes with athletes of sports but also differ in many ways too. In the field of competitive sports the outcome of the event is win, lose or draw, for a Tactical athlete it could be life or death. Both types of athletes have a high level of commitment to being in peak physical shape. But sport athletes have a very season driven and sport specific training regiment laid out months to years in advance. The schedule of training events and competitions is set in stone so rarely does a surprise wrinkle in the training plan pop up. And as far as travel goes, a competitive athlete flys in a charted plane and sleeps in a nice hotel. Don’t even get me started on the food when traveling. The tactical athlete rarely has those luxuries.
The tactical athlete needs to be “ready to go” at a moments notice. Their “sport” season started the day they joined up and ends the day they sign-out. Unlike a professional athlete whose season runs for about 6-7 months of the calendar year. Yes these athletes put in a lot of training in the off-season, but, it’s very calendar driven. Often scheduled months to years in advance. And they get to sleep in there own bed the majority of the nights during the off-season too. Rarely are they gone for a month at a training event sleeping in a tent, eating MRE’s, with no access to be able to train. The tactical athlete has to survive and ensure the survival of their peers and others, while a sport athlete is trying to win a game. That was the biggest difference that put a new perspective into training soldiers.
“I play real sports, I’m not trying to be the best at exercising.” – Kenny Powers
The training program for, a soccer athlete is designed towards the demands of that sport. In the Army, every soldier is on the same team, but there is a wide variety of “positions” or MOS’s (Military Occupational Specialty). This can become a struggle when trying to program for a group of soldiers. Every unit has a 45 yo who only likes to run and the 20 yo who only wants to do chest and arms. I’ve seen it, a lot. Team sports will consist of athletes in there athletic prime that for the most part have all come up with a coach. And also trained under the supervision of a certified strength and conditioning coach.
Rarely have I come across soldiers that have had any formal training in regards to strength and conditioning. Except for the handful that lucked out with a good high school coach or college athletes. The average soldier though has only experienced unit lead PT (Physical Training). That to be kind, is lacking. Long distance running and calisthenics are important but they are not the foundation. Other soldiers do CrossFit style workouts, online-training programs or bodybuilding workouts. Something is usually better than nothing as long as it is safe. But when a soldier comes to train with me I prefer them to have never touched a barbell or tried to teach themselves. It’s way easier to build good habits than break bad ones.
When designing training programs, the majority of athletes, have some common characteristics. Speed, power, strength, endurance, and agility to list a few. But the number one is MOVEMENT. How well does someone move, are they fluid, are they stiff are they clunky? I doubt you’ll find any coach or General who would hope to have a team full of stiff, awkward, clunky movers. Great athletes are able to show off there athleticism whenever they want. Known or unknown task. Not every tactical athlete is the same, but they all should be able to do one thing well…MOVE!
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Tactical Training Part 2 Click Here!
Geoffrey Steinbacher is a former Strength & Conditioning Coach within the THOR3 (Tactical Human Optimization Rapid Rehabilitation & Reconditioning) Program at Ft. Bragg. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) from the National Strength and Conditioning Association. As well as a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) from the National Athletic Trainers Association. On top of being an Advanced Sports Performance Coach (USAW-L2) and Head Club Coach with USA-Weightlifting. He also is a Catalyst Athletics Certified Weightlifting Coach (CACWC-L1) and a CrossFit Level 1 (CF-L1) Trainer. Furthermore, Geoff has a BS in Athletic Training from SUNY Cortland and a MS in Exercise Science from Syracuse University.