Force Health Protection Education: A Pilot Approach to Applying Military Frameworks to Service Member Health...

Area of Science:

• Military Medicine
• Occupational Health
• Preventive Health

Background:

• Force Health Protection (FHP) is a critical Department of Defense (DoD) priority.
• Currently, a systematic approach for individual service members to manage their FHP is lacking.
• Special operations forces (SOF) face unique health and performance challenges in military operational environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the FHP Education workshop, a novel program designed to empower individual service members.
• To apply military principles and frameworks to FHP education for SOF operators and enablers.
• To provide a proactive, community-based preventive system for enhancing FHP.

Main Methods:

• Development and implementation of the FHP Education workshop at 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, NC.
• Utilizing military processes, principles, and frameworks for curriculum design.
• Focusing on identifying and mitigating threats to health and performance.

Main Results:

• The FHP Education workshop provides a systematic approach for individuals to manage their FHP.
• The program teaches SOF operators and enablers to proactively address health and performance threats.
• The workshop aligns with the Total Force Fitness framework, promoting a whole-person approach.

Conclusions:

• The FHP Education workshop is a potentially impactful program for enhancing individual FHP.
• It offers a proactive, community-based preventive system for service members.
• The model enables individual service members to effectively conduct FHP in military operational environments.