Insights from AUSA Hot Topic: Training today’s Soldiers for tomorrow’s realities
This is fourth in a series of insights from the AUSA Hot Topic event focused on Holistic Health and the Resilient Soldier in Arlington, Virginia, March 5. Read the rest of the series here. A powerful quote opened one of the panel questions: “I know we have the machines to fight this war, but the question is, do we have the guts?” Journalist Robert Sherrod wrote those words during World War II, expressing concern about whether each generation has the mental toughness to face the horrors of war. It’s a fair question—and one that comes up in every era. But today’s generation isn’t lacking in strength or potential. They’re just shaped by a different world—and that means they need different training. Different generation, different challenges Today’s recruits often arrive with less physical literacy—less experience with structured movement, exercise, and challenge. Technology has changed attention spans, feedback loops, and how people handle stress or uncertainty. Many young people haven’t faced consistent physical or mental discomfort. That’s not a criticism—it’s just a fact of modern life. These shifts don’t make this generation weaker. But they do mean we can’t expect the same results from the same old training methods. What worked decades ago may not be as effective today. This is also an opportunity The good news? We can adapt. Just as Soldiers are expected to learn and grow, leaders, coaches, and educators must evolve too. We must design training and learning experiences that: + Meet people where they are + Build up core qualities like toughness, adaptability, and problem-solving + Help them gain confidence through smart, progressive challenges In my work across military, athletic, and educational settings, I’ve seen that growth doesn’t come from making things harder just for the sake of it. It comes from structured, meaningful experiences that build skill and confidence over time. It’s not about comparing generations Each generation brings something unique. The goal isn’t to mold today’s recruits into the image of past Soldiers—it’s to help them develop the strength, durability, and adaptability needed for today’s missions. And that responsibility falls on us—as leaders, trainers, and subject matter experts—to create the right environment for growth. Watch the full discussion here: Recap The AUSA Hot Topic blog series covers insights from the panel, ranging from the resilient Soldier, fatigue management, using data without losing focus, and more. Read more Chris Frankel holds a PhD in Health Exercise Sports Science with more than 30 years of experience in the field: from research and teaching at the university-level, to working in fitness training and education with the U.S. military, pro- and college-sports programs. He is the Head of Human Performance Innovation at BeaverFit USA. Share this… FacebookFacebook Save Twitter
Insights from AUSA Hot Topic: Using data, AI without losing focus
This is third in a series of insights from the AUSA Hot Topic event focused on Holistic Health and the Resilient Soldier in Arlington, Virginia, March 5. Read the rest of the series here. Another big topic at the event was how we can use live data and machine learning to support human performance and improve Soldier readiness. While these tools offer exciting possibilities, there’s an important truth we can’t ignore: Just because we can measure something doesn’t mean it matters. Start with the right questions The real danger isn’t whether machine learning will be helpful—it’s jumping in too quickly without clearly defining the problem we’re trying to solve. If we don’t know what success looks like, we risk wasting time and resources chasing the wrong metrics, focusing on what’s easy to measure rather than what actually drives performance. Avoid the extremes In human performance, there are two common mistakes: 1. Over-measuring things that don’t matter. 2. Ignoring useful data because it seems too complex. Both approaches are flawed. We either end up with data that doesn’t lead to meaningful change—or we fall back on outdated methods and gut instincts. We need a smarter middle ground. Tools are only as good as the questions they serve AI, machine learning, and data dashboards are just tools. They only become valuable when they’re guided by clear goals, thoughtful planning, and smart decision-making. We must focus on the metrics that move the needle, not just ones that look impressive on a chart. The goal should always be to turn data into action—to improve how Soldiers perform, recover, and stay mission-ready. Making the invisible visible Human performance includes physical readiness, cognitive sharpness, and behavioral resilience—all of which change under stress. If we can’t track and adjust these things, we’re guessing instead of optimizing. Good data, applied the right way, helps us make informed choices about training, recovery, and readiness—ensuring our people are truly prepared for the demands of combat. Watch the full discussion here: Up next In the AUSA Hot Topic blog series, I’ll share more insights from the panel, including training today’s Soldiers for tomorrow’s realities. Read more Chris Frankel holds a PhD in Health Exercise Sports Science with more than 30 years of experience in the field: from research and teaching at the university-level, to working in fitness training and education with the U.S. military, pro- and college-sports programs. He is the Head of Human Performance Innovation at BeaverFit USA. Share this… FacebookFacebook Save Twitter
Insights from AUSA Hot Topic: The will to fight
This is second in a series of insights from the AUSA Hot Topic event focused on Holistic Health and the Resilient Soldier in Arlington, Virginia, March 5. Read the rest of the series here. One of the most thought-provoking questions we discussed during the panel came from a 2018 RAND report: What fuels a Soldier’s will to fight? RAND defines the “will to fight” as the inner drive to keep going—to fight, endure, and win—even in the toughest moments. They found it’s not just about having the best gear or tech. It comes down to human motivation, capability, and connection—factors that exist at the national, unit, and individual levels. Why physical readiness supports mental resolve The will to fight isn’t just about mindset. It’s also about how the body holds up under stress. When a Soldier’s heart rate spikes, breathing quickens, and core temperature rises, it can overwhelm the brain, cloud decision-making, and drain focus. That’s why physical training is about more than building muscles—it’s about preparing the body and mind to stay sharp when it matters most. How H2F helps build durable Soldiers The Army’s H2F framework is designed to do just that. It combines smart physical conditioning, stress exposure, cognitive training, nutrition, sleep, and spiritual readiness. These pieces work together to help Soldiers better manage their physiological responses and stay mentally strong in high-pressure situations. Col. Brian Koyn, 82nd Airborne Division chaplain, made a strong point during the panel: structured training environments—when done right—can help Soldiers develop greater awareness and control over their mental and physical states. The appearance of DoD imagery does not imply or constitute federal endorsement. Where mind and body meet: The readiness connection We call this overlap the psycho-neuro-physiological nexus—a fancy way of saying the mind and body are deeply connected. High stress affects everything from strength to focus. But when Soldiers learn how to recognize and regulate their own stress responses, they gain a sense of control and improve their performance. Fatigue management: A smarter way to train Brig. Gen. Deidre Teyhen, Defense Health Network National Capital Region director, introduced another important idea: fatigue management as a key performance indicator. Just like strength coaches use periodization to plan workouts, H2F teams can use fatigue management to guide training and recovery over time. This approach helps avoid burnout, improves recovery, and keeps Soldiers mission-ready. I shared an example called AMRAP-120, a training model that teaches Soldiers how to pace themselves, recognize fatigue, and adjust effort—all in real time. Knowledge sharing: Getting everyone on the same page Another key takeaway from the panel was the importance of knowledge management—making sure everyone from Soldiers to leadership shares a common understanding of terms, protocols, and training strategies. Clear communication across all levels improves how H2F is taught and applied. In fact, a good knowledge management system can sometimes be more important than an athlete management system, because it helps everyone make smart, aligned decisions that add value and impact. Watch the full discussion here: Up next In the AUSA Hot Topic blog series, I’ll share more insights from the panel, including using data and AI to support human performance, and training today’s Soldiers for tomorrow’s realities. Read more Chris Frankel holds a PhD in Health Exercise Sports Science with more than 30 years of experience in the field: from research and teaching at the university-level, to working in fitness training and education with the U.S. military, pro- and college-sports programs. He is the Head of Human Performance Innovation at BeaverFit USA. Share this… FacebookFacebook Save Twitter
Insights from AUSA Hot Topic: Holistic health and the resilient Soldier
On March 5, I had the opportunity to join the AUSA Hot Topic event focused on Holistic Health and the Resilient Soldier in Arlington, Virginia. Alongside Col. Brian Koyn, 82nd Airborne Division chaplain, and Brig. Gen. Deidre Teyhen, Defense Health Network National Capital Region director, our panel discussed how the Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness program can improve Soldier readiness and resilience. From my civilian background in human performance, education, and data analytics, I shared thoughts on how we can build both resilience and robustness in our Soldiers—and why these qualities matter in combat. Watch the whole discussion here: Resilience: A core element of readiness Resilience is the ability to recover from setbacks. In human performance, it means staying calm under pressure, adapting to challenges, and bouncing back quickly. For the Army, resilience is more than just a buzzword—it’s a proven way to keep Soldiers strong in tough situations. Robustness: More than just recovery While resilience is about recovering after stress, robustness is about staying strong during stress. A robust Soldier can maintain focus, decision-making, and performance through difficult conditions. This connects to the idea of being “anti-fragile”—getting stronger, not just surviving, under pressure. The H2F framework supports this by combining physical, mental, nutritional, sleep, and spiritual training. This integrated approach helps Soldiers better manage stress and stay ready, even in high-pressure environments. Turning physical training into mental toughness Physical training isn’t just for fitness—it’s a daily chance to build mental strength, decision-making under fatigue, and team cohesion. As Teyhen said: PT is where the warrior spirit gets built. Well-planned training sessions can help Soldiers learn how to regulate their bodies and minds, improve self-awareness, and perform when it counts. These daily opportunities shape performance far beyond the gym. Up next In the AUSA Hot Topic blog series, I’ll share more insights from the panel, including the importance of fatigue management, the power of knowledge sharing, and how data and AI can support—not distract from—what really matters. Read more Chris Frankel holds a PhD in Health Exercise Sports Science with more than 30 years of experience in the field: from research and teaching at the university-level, to working in fitness training and education with the U.S. military, pro- and college-sports programs. He is the Head of Human Performance Innovation at BeaverFit USA. Share this… FacebookFacebook Save Twitter