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National Guard Fitness Standards: Managing Weight and Enhancing Physical Readiness
Maintaining physical readiness is essential for National Guard service members. Whether serving full-time or part-time, all members must meet the standards of the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) and pass Army body composition requirements. These assessments ensure soldiers are physically prepared for the demands of their duties and serve as indicators of long-term health and mission readiness.
Physical Fitness and Combat Readiness
The ACFT evaluates key attributes such as muscular strength, power, endurance, and agility. In tandem, height and weight standards provide insight into a soldier’s body composition and overall health. Failing either assessment can restrict a soldier’s ability to deploy, train, or continue service.
While the ACFT doesn’t test job-specific skill, it establishes a critical baseline of general physical preparedness. This baseline reduces the risk of injury and supports performance across a wide range of occupational duties.
Full-Time vs. Part-Time: Unequal Resources, Equal Expectations
Full-time service members benefit from scheduled daily physical training (PT), often with access to on-site fitness facilities and support staff. This built-in structure makes meeting fitness standards more manageable.
Part-time members, however, must self-manage their training alongside civilian careers, family obligations, and limited facility access. Time becomes the biggest barrier to fitness adherence—compounded by the physical and emotional demands of drill weekends, field exercises, and deployments.
Without consistent structure, service members may default to convenience over optimal health practices. Fitness becomes one of the first sacrifices when time is scarce.
Why Fitness Matters: Resilience, Performance, and Injury Prevention
Maintaining a healthy body composition improves every aspect of job performance. Reduced excess body mass leads to improved strength-to-weight ratio, making tasks like running, lifting, and climbing more efficient. It also reduces the strain on joints, bones, and connective tissue—helping soldiers move better and avoid injuries.
Musculoskeletal injuries often occur when the physical demand exceeds the body’s capacity. Regular strength and conditioning training improves bone density, tendon resilience, and neuromuscular control, making service members more resistant to common overuse injuries.
SiteWell Solutions: Enhancing Readiness Through Holistic Support
Under the NHNG SWIFT contract, SiteWell Solutions delivers direct support to improve National Guard member readiness. This includes:
- On-site Registered Dietitians (RDs) for nutrition education and weight management
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Coaches (CSCS) providing customized fitness programming
- Individual and group-based interventions for ACFT prep, mobility, and resilience
- Family-facing wellness initiatives for long-term lifestyle support
Programs are tailored to meet the needs of both full-time and part-time service members—leveraging in-person access, telehealth, and mobile app delivery for broader reach.
Family Support as a Readiness Multiplier
SiteWell's support doesn’t stop with the soldier. We recognize that family well-being directly impacts readiness. That’s why we extend select nutrition and movement-based services to spouses and dependents. A more resilient household reinforces the stability and success of the Guard force.
Final Takeaway
Fitness and body composition standards are more than checkboxes—they’re vital tools to maintain operational effectiveness, prevent injury, and support career longevity. With dedicated coaching, education, and lifestyle support, National Guard members can confidently meet these standards and remain mission-ready.
Written by Michael Laverriere, MS, CSCS, SiteWell Solutions subcontractor supporting the NH National Guard SWIFT program.
About SiteWell Solutions
SiteWell Solutions provides injury prevention, workforce wellness, and performance training for high-risk industries. We support HR, Safety, Wellness, and Operations leaders with proven strategies in occupational strength and conditioning, work hardening, prehabilitation, nutrition coaching, and mental resilience programs. We’re here to reduce workplace injuries, lower costs, improve employee well-being and productivity - so you can stay mission-focused.
Stay connected with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for the latest in employee wellness and injury prevention. Contact us at info@sitewellsolutions.com to discover how we help your workforce move and feel their best.
Disclaimer:
SiteWell Solutions is a contracted provider under Contract #W912TF22C0001 supporting the Strategic Wellness and Individual Fitness Training (SWIFT) program — a pilot initiative serving Army and Air National Guard service members and their families. All media used with participant consent. Content does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense.
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