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Known as the “Quiet Professionals,” Green Berets are some of the
most highly-trained Soldiers in the Army. Their readiness requires
them to have a performance training program designed to increase
physical performance and emotional well-being, prevent injuries, and
improve mental skills necessary to perform optimally in training and
combat operations.
This is the goal of the U.S. Special
Operations Command’s Human Performance Program (HPP), also known as
Tactical Human Optimization, Rapid Rehabilitation and Reconditioning
Program (THOR3).
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October 2, 2017 - Soldiers assigned to the U.S. Army 10th Special
Forces Group (Airborne) rehab in the Tactical Human Optimization,
Rapid Rehabilitation and Reconditioning Program (THOR3) facility. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Daniel Wyatt)
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A Special Operations Soldier assigned to 10th Special
Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Carson, Colo. said the
training at THOR3 significantly contributes to enhancing
physical capabilities. He also indicated the physical
improvements made are resulting in increased attendance in
the program according to the Green Beret assigned to 10th
Group.
“The biggest thing about the THOR program is
its growth,” said the Special Operator assigned to 10th
Group. “You see more people filtering in. The facility will
definitely need to be expanded to accommodate that.”
Training methods used, include experiential and Socratic
learning, didactic instruction, field and hip pocket
coaching, office mastery and team/committee integration.
“We try to purify the clay and mold it into that elite
Soldier,” said a THOR3 program strength and conditioning
coach. “Collaboratively, our approach is to optimize the
mental, spiritual, and physical condition of the Special
Operations Forces Soldier.”
The THOR3 program staff
at 10th Group consists of a human performance program
coordinator, strength and conditioning coaches, physical
therapists, a dietitian, and a cognitive enhancement
specialist.
The purpose of THOR3 is to create
programs for Special Operations-Focused missions by using
professional sports–quality staff to provide coaching in
strength and conditioning, physical therapy, dietetics, and
cognitive enhancement.
“Our goal is to increase
their mental and physical capabilities to help them recover
from injuries sustained in combat or training, helping them
to stay combat ready, longer,” said a cognitive enhancement
specialist with THOR3. “Cognitive enhancement is a formal
part of the program, which seeks to provide a systematic way
to build mental and emotional strength.”
In addition
to the mental aspect of the program, proper nutrition is
required to optimize rehabilitation and performance. This is
an often overlooked, yet vital aspect of human performance,
which is emphasized by the THOR3 team.
“We have added THOR3 nutritional items at the dining facility
that are scientifically proven to improve a Soldiers performance,”
said a performance dietician with the performance program. “Often
overlooked, there are specific foods you must eat to effectively
optimize the body’s potential, along with rest, recovery and
training.”
Additionally, the total holistic approach to
fitness includes the collection of data. Information is collected
through sports science data during heart rate monitoring, GPS
tracking, mobility tests, lactate testing, and body composition
testing. This testing is needed to assure the effectiveness and
overall management of the program.
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July 13, 2017 - Green Beret assigned to the U.S. Army 10th Special
Forces Group (Airborne), conducts an agility test under the
supervision of a Tactical Human Optimization, Rapid Rehabilitation
and Reconditioning Program (THOR3) coordinator at the Group’s
strength and conditioning facility. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. James
Richardson)
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“We collect the data from tests run on the Soldiers and
personalize a training program for them to optimize their
abilities physically, tactically, technically and mentally,”
said the performance analyst assigned to the program.
While the focus of the THOR3 program is to improve
current operational longevity, and reduce the potential for
injury, the added value to the SOF operator is the
improvement in their overall health, coupled with improving
physical and mental well-being that is the catalyst for
success throughout their personal and professional lifetime.
By U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Daniel Wyatt
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2018
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