Fort Campbell, KY – The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) held a Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) class at Cole Park Commons, Fort Campbell, KY, on September 26th, 2023. The class is part of a H2F symposium being held this week to bring more attention to the program.

H2F is the Army’s groundbreaking investment in Soldier readiness and lethality. This system optimizes physical and non-physical performance, minimizes injuries, and revolutionizes post-injury rehabilitation. “The H2F you see today is not going to be what you see five years on,” said Lt. Col. John Lesher, H2F physical domain lead. “It’s going to look a lot different, a lot better, and a lot of that starts in this room.”

The modern military landscape demands more than just physical prowess and combat skills from its personnel. H2F will help the army meet the challenges of the 21st century. Within the H2F system, mental well-being is equally as important as physical readiness. The stress and demands of military service can take a toll on a soldier’s mental health. Soldiers who are mentally fit can maintain their focus, resilience, and adaptability under pressure.

Social aspects of H2F include teamwork, leadership, and communication skills. Soldiers must be able to work together efficiently and understand the dynamics of their teams. Effective communication is not only crucial for tactical advantage but also for the cohesion and morale of a unit.

“The program will help the E-5s and E-6s that organize everyday physical training coordinate with instructors at the brigade and division level,” said Lesher. “It will improve and standardize physical training across Fort Campbell.”

Embracing holistic H2F has long-term benefits for service members both during and after their military careers. The skills and practices learned during their service can help them lead healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives after they retire. The program aims to empower and equip Soldiers to take charge of their health, fitness, and well-being to optimize individual performance while preventing injury and disease.

“The data provided by the H2F program will greatly improve the efficiency of army physical fitness,” Lesher said. “This looks different for every station, but the goal is to make the program available to every service member.”