Athletic Trainers and Army Fitness Test Changes: Our Thoughts

This one is a bit of a current events episode. We're diving into two hot topics in Army human performance:

First we dig into the ongoing drama around cutting Athletic Trainers from H2F teams, including the efforts to reverse the decision. This touches on everything from contracting policy to the difference between measuring performance and measuring effectiveness. Embedded Athletic Trainers in military settings have some of the best evidence for effectiveness (including saving more money than they cost), but that's not always how decisions get made.

Then we break down some of the changes from the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) to the new Army Fitness Test (AFT). Specifically, we take a look at the pros and cons of the Standing Power Throw and the the impact of switching select close combat jobs to sex-neutral fitness standards.

We mentioned a few resources/links in the conversation, so here they are:

Petition to members of Congress and senior military leaders to retain Athletic Trainers in the H2F program

Article from an infantry OSUT battalion commander highlighting the value of Athletic Trainers within H2F

Kristen Griest's speech at West Point Founders Day 2021, focused on sex-neutral fitness standards for combat roles