Signals in the noise: Institutional changes in DoD human performance
I’ve been in the human performance world long enough to know when something is just another program update, and when it’s actually pointing toward a bigger shift. Right now, across the DoD, we’re seeing signs of real change and, in my opinion, it reflects an authentic inflection point in human performance. The Marine Corps’ announcement of the 2025 Human Performance Advisory Council, the updated Marine Corps Physical Fitness doctrine, and the Army’s decision to remove the standing power throw from their physical fitness test aren’t just random updates — they’re connected. And they’re telling us something: The DoD continues to take human performance seriously as a capability, not just a compliance metric. This matters — because over the last few decades, the science, the tools, and the real-world demands on tactical communities have dramatically evolved. We have access to better data, better tech, and a much clearer picture of what drives durability, recovery, and performance under stress. But none of that matters if it doesn’t show up where it counts: in how we assess, how we train, how we lead, and how we equip people to deliver fitness and readiness, especially when the job title on their chest isn’t “strength coach.” Signal #1 – The Marine Corps HPAC: Elevating performance from program to priority The Marine Corps stood up the HPAC for a reason. It’s not just another meeting or working group, it’s a signal that human performance is being elevated from a set of supporting programs to something more strategic. By pulling in decision-makers from across commands to align efforts in fitness, nutrition, sleep, recovery, and tech integration, the Corps is building the scaffolding for actionable, sustained progress. That matters. In a space that can become siloed or chaotically decentralized, this kind of structure gives room for coordination and clarity. It creates the potential for cross-domain alignment, not just across PT and injury prevention, but across an entire ecosystem that affects readiness and lethality. To me, it also shows that leadership continues to recognize what many of us in the field have been saying for years: Human performance can’t live off to the side. It must be baked into how we plan, how we prioritize, and how we lead. HPAC gives the Marine Corps a platform to do exactly that. Signal #2 – MCRP 7-20C.1: A doctrine-level shift toward real capability The release of the updated Marine Corps Physical Fitness publication MCRP 7-20C.1 might not grab headlines, but it’s a big deal. It marks a clear shift in how the Marine Corps is defining and supporting physical readiness. This isn’t just a rehash of training guidelines — it reads more as a comprehensive, systems-aware document that connects the dots between physiology, programming, instruction, and long-term capability. What stands out is how it integrates performance science with practical application. There are references to VO₂ max, lactate threshold, muscle fiber types, foundational movement patterns (which I had a hand in developing), neuromotor training, and recovery strategies – the kind of concepts that used to be reserved for sports science journals, not military doctrine. But here, they’re laid out in a way that’s accessible and meant to be used. Even more important is the recognition that training doesn’t happen in a vacuum. The manual calls out sleep, nutrition, injury prevention, stress, and environment as key performance drivers. The Marine Corps is looking beyond test day and taking seriously the systems and conditions that shape a Marine’s ability to show up, hold up, and recover fast. For those of us involved in training, program development, or designing equipment and environments, this kind of doctrinal clarity is huge. It opens the door for better alignment between what’s written, what’s resourced, and what’s actually possible on the ground. Signal #3 – The ACFT adjustment: A willingness to adapt when it matters The Army’s decision to remove the standing power throw from the Army Combat Fitness Test – which will be renamed the Army Fitness Test by June – may raise eyebrows, including mine, but it also sends a message: leaders are willing to listen, adjust, and refine when the data or operational realities call for it. This kind of move isn’t about lowering the bar. It’s about taking actions to make sure we’re testing what actually matters and making room for smarter programming and better instruction. The standing power throw wasn’t a bad test. It had a purpose: assessing explosive power. But it came with some baggage. High variability, coaching inconsistencies, and limited carryover to day-to-day training may have made it hard to implement cleanly across the force. Rather than cling to it just because it was “new,” the Army made the call to step back and reassess. I respect that. To me, that’s progress. This is what institutional learning looks like. Not everything we try is going to be perfect out of the gate. But the willingness to revisit decisions, adjust based on real-world feedback, and prioritize relevance over rigidity? That’s a sign of maturity. It opens the door for bigger conversations about how we assess readiness, not just through a single event, but through patterns of performance that authentically reflect what warfighters need to develop and sustain over a career. Legacy Model Emerging Model Fitness as compliance Fitness as a strategic capability Tests determine readiness Capability defines readiness Siloed domains Integrated HP systems Prescriptive templates Adaptive, evidence-informed design Closing thoughts These three moves – the creation of HPAC, the release of MCRP 7-20C.1, and the Army’s decision to refine the AFT – represent more than isolated updates. They appear to be part of a broader shift that’s overdue and headed in the right direction. We’re starting to see performance treated as a system, not a silo; as a strategic capability, not an afterthought. Readiness is being reframed around capability, not just compliance. And across the services, leaders are taking steps to build more durable, adaptable warfighters over the long haul. There’s still work to do. Implementation, coaching, infrastructure, and delivery still may lag behind policy and science. But the foundation
How BeaverFit is helping the Army operationalize H2F
The Holistic Health and Fitness initiative created a paradigm shift in Soldier readiness with its introduction in 2020. Once the H2F operating concept was released, Army units around the world had to overcome the obstacle of creating training spaces that met commander’s intent without obvious solutions. According to the Army, the ultimate vision of H2F is to provide each brigade with an H2F campus to include a Soldier Performance Readiness Center, AFT testing lanes and track, a terrain running course, sheltered strength training racks, and containerized strength equipment. Enter BeaverFit, with space and time saving solutions for all of the above. “We’re the defense contractor for the Soldier Weapon System,” said Michael Taylor, BeaverFit USA co-founder and veteran. “We’re here to surround that weapon system with the equipment and facilities needed to optimize them for resiliency and lethality under any mission essential task. That’s our clear vision.” “We’re not a commercial fitness company with solutions that have been designed for someone else that we’re trying to push to the military,” added Alex Roodhouse, BeaverFit USA co-founder and veteran. “We’re listening to the military’s requirements and designing solutions based on what is actually needed in the field.” Let’s take a look: Soldier Performance Readiness Center Army Need: A dedicated facility for units to facilitate and foster their H2F programs. BeaverFit Solution: As seen at Fort Jackson with the recently opened Drill Sergeant Timothy Kay SPRC, BeaverFit has the capability to convert unused indoor spaces into world-class human performance facilities for individual or group training and recovery sessions, along with specialized office areas for physical therapy, nutrition counseling and other H2F programs. And while converting underutilized indoor space is one way Army brigades are creating their SPRC facilities, BeaverFit also offers the capability to create new, standalone, fully-enclosed structures to fulfill Soldier readiness needs. The appearance of DoD imagery does not imply or constitute federal endorsement. Terrain running course Army Need: Courses that are designed to assess, develop and refine strength, endurance and responsiveness through a series of obstacles and varied terrain. BeaverFit Solution: BeaverFit offers custom created elements and course designs to improve mission-specific cardiovascular conditioning while actively engaging the mind and body of Soldiers, as seen at the Devil’s Field Obstacle Course on Fort Liberty. The appearance of DoD imagery does not imply or constitute federal endorsement. AFT testing lanes Army Need: A consistent environment to perform the Army Fitness Test at any time of year. BeaverFit Solution: The AFT testing field by BeaverFit creates a consistent and standardized testing environment, utilizing performance-grade turf to reduce the risk of training injuries. To enable year round AFT activities, BeaverFit also provides a shelter around the field to offer protection from the elements. BeaverFit AFT Storage Lockers are the final piece to the turnkey AFT testing environment. An open-air SunPro covers the 12-lane AFT field for U.S. Army South at Joint Base San Antonio from unrelenting sun, whereas a fully-enclosed structure with heating protects Soldiers using the 5-lane AFT field at Fort Devens from brutal Massachusetts winters. The appearance of DoD imagery does not imply or constitute federal endorsement. Sheltered strength training racks Army Need: Sheltered strength training racks to create a year round outdoor training area and while maintaining longevity of outdoor equipment. BeaverFit Solution: The tension fabric BeaverFit SunPro creates an environment up to 15° F cooler than in direct sunlight and can be fully engineered to meet local wind, snow and seismic loads. The SunPro is mounted to BeaverFit Performance Lockers or to the ground, allowing battalions to build the ideal human performance training facility that meets their space and requirements. Containerized strength equipment Last but certainly not least, our flagship product. Army Need: Self-contained fitness units that allow training to be conducted anywhere the containers are placed. BeaverFit Solution: Known by the Army as the ‘gym-in-a-box,’ or simply as ‘The BeaverFit’, BeaverFit Performance Lockers are standard shipping containers custom-fabricated to include anchored training rigs and secure storage. Filled with outdoor-rated training accessories, they create a multi-modality training center that accommodates up to 90 people at once. Additionally, BeaverFit offers the AFT Storage Locker, specifically designed to hold the exact amount of AFT equipment required per lane, and the mobile AFT Storage Trailer. The appearance of DoD imagery does not imply or constitute federal endorsement. As the Army recently approved accelerating the fielding of H2F equipment and staff to 15 brigades per year, creating these solutions is a paramount priority for Army leaders. From standalone and mobile training solutions to indoor space conversions and facility builds from the ground-up, BeaverFit is creating new and innovative ways to help Soldiers train for whatever they need to prepare for, wherever they need to train. Discover the tools that power the Soldier Weapon System and learn how to operationalize your installation for H2F. Learn more Share this… FacebookFacebook Save Twitter
BeaverFit converts tennis court to custom outdoor training space for U.S. Army South
SAN ANTONIO – Outdoor training is about to get a lot more exciting for Soldiers attached to U.S. Army South at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. Upon receiving a request to convert an old, unused tennis court at the installation, BeaverFit designed a solution resulting in a 100 x 110-foot SunPro shelter that will support multiple battalions within ARSOUTH. The BeaverFit SunPro is an open-ended structure which provides protection from the elements, increasing both the number of workout days for those who train there and the longevity of equipment. The shelter is a fully customized, purpose-built facility designed specifically to enable unit training and Army Fitness Test activities. + Two 40′ Lockers with custom rigging and flooring + Two 10′ Lockers for storage + 12 AFT turf lanes + Fencing and door code access + Gutter system + Mesh sun shade on two sides + Weatherproof, tear-resistant cover The project’s first phase included resurfacing the tennis court, filling in and repairing all uneven surfaces. Once the surface was ready, the SunPro went up. More than 10,000 square feet of turf was installed next, including 12 lanes for conducting the AFT. The professional grade performance turf provides a consistent and standard testing environment resulting in valid and accurate test results. Additionally, rubber flooring was installed around two 40′ BeaverFit Performance Lockers featuring custom rigging, providing training space for strength and conditioning. In the project’s second phase, BeaverFit added two 10′ Performance Lockers for storage and a driveway to gain access to the lockers. A fence with door code access, a gutter system with drainage connecting to the existing stormwater system, and mesh sun shades on two sides were also added. As with any custom build, BeaverFit begins by listening to the unique scope and fitness requirements of the requester. A team of product managers, design engineers and fabricators work together to create equipment solutions that are manufactured in the U.S. and designed to perform in the toughest training environments. BeaverFit provides overall project scoping, design, kitting and ongoing project management. Dedicated teams guide a project from the initiating and planning phases all the way through to execution and closing phases. BeaverFit is the leading supplier of human performance and tactical training solutions to support the success of the Human Weapon System. Veteran owned and operated, BeaverFit provides American-made solutions that meet the requirements and needs of military units in any environment. From the original container gym solution to full-scale human performance and tactical training facilities, BeaverFit is the trusted partner in creating solutions to support the growing needs and requirements of our military. Share this… FacebookFacebook Save Twitter