FM 7-22 “Holistic Health and Fitness” (H2F) is a comprehensive manual published by the US Army outlining its approach to physical readiness training and its emphasis on the importance of holistic health.
Holistic Health and Fitness, FM 7-22 manual, is more than just a training manual for the modern soldier.
It’s a comprehensive guide to holistic well-being, ensuring that the United States Army remains the world’s fittest and most prepared military force.
- Whether you’re a recruit or a seasoned veteran, holistic health and fitness principles are invaluable in ensuring you’re battle-ready.
Holistic Approach to FM 7-22
- A holistic approach means addressing the complete well-being of soldiers, which covers their physical, emotional, mental, and social elements.
- The FM 7-22, Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) Manual, signifies the Army’s transition from mere physical training to a more integrated, holistic approach to the well-being of its soldiers.
- H2F integrates physical fitness with mental toughness, sleep, nutrition, and other factors.
Critical components of FM 7-22
The key elements of FM 7-22, Holistic Health and Fitness, include the following:
- Physical Fitness: This entails building soldiers who can endure the physical demands of combat.
- Mental Toughness: Soldiers should cultivate resilience, stress management, and a strong psychological foundation.
- Nutrition: Helping soldiers fuel the body correctly for both training and recovery
- Sleep: Recognizing the rejuvenating power of rest
- Social and Emotional Well-Being: Ensuring soldiers have a balanced personal and social life
Army Physical Readiness Training (PRT)
FM 7-22 provides guidelines on Army PRT, detailing exercises, drills, and activities that help soldiers prepare for the physical demands of military duties. Some of the key components include:
- Structured Routines: Covering strength, endurance, mobility, and flexibility
- Standardized drills: ensuring consistent training across all Army units
- Evolutionary Approach: Adapting training methods to the latest fitness research and findings
Table: Sample PRT Activities
| Activity | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Strength Drills | Build muscle and power. |
| Endurance Runs | Increase cardiovascular fitness. |
| Mobility Exercises | Enhance flexibility and joint health |
Power, endurance, toughness, and resilience
The FM 7-22 Holistic Health and Fitness Manual emphasizes the importance of a soldier’s mental health. This manual provides guidelines for soldiers to build mental toughness, manage stress, and develop coping mechanisms.
- Stress management techniques, such as breathing exercises and visualization.
- Coping mechanisms, which include strategies to handle personal and combat-related challenges,
- Mental Training: through workshops and programs designed to fortify the soldier’s mind
Nutrition, sleep, and recovery
FM 7-22 outlines guidelines on proper nutrition and the importance of quality sleep for recovery and optimal health. This includes:
- Dietary recommendations for soldiers’ training and deployment needs
- Importance of sleep, where soldiers establish routines and understand the recuperative power of rest.
- Active Recovery: Oultine’s techniques for soldiers to recover after physical exercises, including stretching, foam rolling, and more
Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation
The FM 7-22 emphasizes the importance of proper training techniques, recovery, and rehabilitation, all of which help soldiers reduce training-related injuries.
- Correct Training Techniques: Soldiers should ensure exercises are done safely and effectively.
- Rehabilitation protocols are essential for soldiers recovering from injuries.
- Preventative Measures: Understanding the early signs of potential injuries and taking proactive steps
FM 7-22 Standardization
The Holistic Health and Fitness Manual standardizes training protocols across the Army. This ensures that all Army units adhere to proven, effective, and safe training standards.
- Benchmarking: Establishing standards that soldiers must meet or exceed
- Clear Guidelines: No Ambiguity in Training Methodologies
- Continual Updates: Ensuring the manual remains relevant and updated
FM 7-22 Evolving Military Training
FM 7-22 represents the Army’s evolving approach to physical fitness. It helps the Army transition from only focusing on the physical demands of its soldiers to a more comprehensive, holistic approach to a soldier’s well-being.
- Integration of new technologies such as wearables and virtual reality training
- Feedback Mechanisms: Soldiers and trainers provide input to refine and improve the H2F system.
- Research-Driven Updates: The latest in sports science and psychology is in training protocols.
Holistic Health and Fitness Approach
Physical fitness remains a critical component for the Army to prepare its soldiers to meet the demands of combat on the battlefield.
- The United States Army recognizes that modern soldiers need more than physical prowess.
- The Holistic Health and Fitness Manual is the Army’s answer to the multi-dimensional needs of today’s military personnel.
Important Resources
- The most recent version of the Holistic Health and Fitness Manual available is dated October 2020
Born and raised in Bozeman, Montana, he graduated from George State University with an MBA in Actuarial Science. His hobbies include beach volleyball, hiking, fishing, and lifting weights
George is also a certified nutritionist with a passion for health and fitness.
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