Creating Culture: Advice to a 'young' Tactical Strength and Conditioning Coach

Hopefully we all remember what 'training age' means from our Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning textbook. This is what I mean by 'young'.

Starting out in the tactical field of strength and conditioning was different to say the least.

First of all my impressions of what fitness was in the military was right up there with professional athletes or higher in terms of how ingrained it is in their culture and how intrinsically motivated they were. One thing I learned very quickly working with infantry is that there are levels to understanding what kind of 'fitness culture' we are talking about.

I took the job slow. Observed and listened. Sat back and took everything in. Waited for those little rare opportunities that would ever so often reveal themselves so I could share my opinions and knowledge. This took time. This is how you build trust and relationships. This is what you need to hear before you step into a role in the 'tactical realm' of strength and conditioning.

A few other things to mention, it is definitely far from sunshine, rainbows, unicorns and a nice calm walk in the park.

It will challenge you in all the best ways.

Fitness culture in the military is like walking into a magazine section and looking at all of the fitness magazines (Runners Magazine, Flex, Men's Fitness, CrossFit) at one time. Except every page has a voice and a rank and happens to be screaming at you that they have the keys to cracking the code on what fitness is, how to achieve it, what to believe and what not to believe, fill in the blank.

To put it simply, it is pure chaos. The complete opposite of what I originally thought coming into the job. Too many movies, too much Netflix.

The number thing that you need to remember is that these men and women, these Soldiers, are people. They have jobs, responsibilities, families, timelines, deadlines, bosses, stress, and no time for bullshit. You are not walking into some big SEC strength and conditioning program where the culture, tradition, and 'way of doing things' has already been established for decades, no, you are walking into a job where you need to be the one to create this culture, through education, leadership, mentoring, teaching, responsibility, integrity, growth mindset and community.

Are you ready to do that? Seriously ask yourself that question.

Tactical strength and conditioning is about relationships. It is about strengthening the bonds between Soldiers at the lowest level and all the way up to the top of chain of command.

It is about teaching Soldiers that there is a better and smarter way to prepare themselves for any mission as well as any physical assessment standard that happens to be thrown their way.

At the same time, it is about education and providing leadership with the knowledge and tools for them to 'buy in', understand, accept, know the ‘why’ and put into practice your experience and knowledge.

These conversations are the job. They are your mission.

You also need to understand that there exist a very small percentage of those outside of special forces that will try to make that jump into preparing their minds and bodies to be successful with being selected if that’s the route they choose. You will be there for these individuals and you will have the opportunity to provide them the tools to accomplish their goals whatever their pipelines may be.

But what about the other 99%?

That 99% is the culture that desperately needs great professional leaders to find ways to reach out to them and make a difference in their lives.

I am writing this to bring awareness to those that will be coming into the field because things are going to be blowing up eventually in terms of career opportunities across all the branches of the military.

This is a side of the field that remains shrouded in mystery because so few professionals in strength and conditioning have had the opportunity to do it or interest in leaving the collegiate side of the house.

Do your research and choose the paths that best aligns with your philosophies, beliefs and style.

Choose these over choosing titles because if you are truly here to support the men and women that serve this country, their ability to better their lives and stay alive depend on it.

Strength and honor,

Coach Ben