SGT Brianna J. Shairs-Amore, a student of the Advanced Leader Course Class, 27D Noncommissioned Officer Academy participates in an Army Combat Fitness Test at The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School in Charlottesville, VA. (Credit: SFC Maria Green)
Azimuth Check
The Power of H2F
Resilience, Implementation, and Education
By Command Sergeant Major Shellyann M. Corbin
Staff Sergeant (SSG) Jones embodied dedication.1 A star paralegal in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps, she thrived in the fast-paced world of military justice as a special victims’ paralegal. While on a run at the end of a busy workday to decompress, she stepped in a pothole and twisted her ankle; it threatened to sideline her. The pain was excruciating, and doubt ensued. Could she bounce back and continue serving effectively?
This is where the Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) program2 stepped in. The H2F program is a significant investment in the well-being and readiness of Army professionals. It includes the intertwined aspects of readiness across five domains: physical, mental, spiritual, nutritional, and sleep. The H2F program promotes Army personnel’s overall health and resilience, and it is pivotal in ensuring that judge advocates (JAs), paralegals, and legal administrators are equipped to meet the demands of their dual roles as Soldiers and legal professionals. The H2F program aims to enhance the JAG Corps’s combat capability, decision-making, and overall effectiveness by addressing key aspects of individual and team readiness.
Holistic Health and Fitness is about more than just physical fitness; it is a comprehensive approach to well-being. Staff Sergeant Jones was facing a physical setback, which produced potential emotional and mental challenges. She could not be away from work for a long time. She worried about the special victim clients, her JA, and others who depended on her. She did not want to disappoint anyone. She started to spiral out of control. Staff Sergeant Jones attended a mandatory unit briefing on H2F, and the program offered a beacon of hope.
One of the cornerstones of H2F’s success is education. Like all Soldiers, JAG Corps personnel need to understand the program’s philosophy and how it can help them. Incorporating H2F briefings into training events as opportunities to interactively learn about the five domains of H2F, rather than check-the-box exercises, will enable personnel to do so. Through H2F education, SSG Jones understood the program’s comprehensive approach. She connected with physical therapists who devised a rehabilitation plan that not only addressed the ankle injury but also emphasized injury prevention through targeted exercises. In tandem with physical therapy, she also explored the program’s mental health resources. Techniques for stress management and building resilience helped her navigate the emotional rollercoaster of recovery. Spiritual practices like meditation and mindfulness fostered a sense of inner peace and purpose. These mental and spiritual exercises helped keep her motivated throughout the recovery process. Staff Sergeant Jones learned that prioritizing quality sleep was crucial. It fueled the healing process, strengthened her body’s resilience, and aided her injured ankle’s recovery while also helping her fight off potential illnesses.
A clear link exists between H2F participation and positive outcomes. Soldiers who actively engage with H2F programs report reduced stress and anxiety, improved sleep quality, enhanced physical fitness, increased resilience, an ability to cope with challenges, and a stronger sense of purpose and well-being. These benefits translate into a more effective fighting force. Soldiers who are well-rested, mentally sharp, and emotionally balanced can make sound decisions, perform better under pressure, and contribute significantly to unit success.
The Advanced Leader Course Class, 27D Noncommissioned Officer Academy, attends physical training at The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School in Charlottesville, VA. (Credit: SFC Maria Green)
Using a multi-pronged approach to spread information about H2F is as important as educating the force. Ensuring easy access to resources and services, integrating principles of H2F into a unit’s battle rhythm, and tailoring support to a unit or section further emphasizes H2F’s importance.
Staff Sergeant Jones’s story is a testament to the power of H2F education and implementation. Imagine the impact on the entire JAG Corps when every member actively participates in the program. Our JAG Corps personnel can utilize H2F tools to support mental well-being, build strong team relationships, and make sound ethical decisions in stressful situations. Personnel working in military justice—particularly those specializing in sensitive areas like special victim prosecution, special victim counsel, and trial defense services—face significant challenges that can affect their well-being. The H2F program offers a framework to promote resilience in these demanding roles, which ensures the JAG Corps remains a robust and resilient force within the Army.
In conclusion, the H2F program invests in Soldier well-being and readiness, mission success, and, ultimately, national security. By educating the force, implementing a comprehensive approach, and demonstrably improving Soldier resilience, H2F will empower JAG Corps personnel to best meet mission demands in service to the Nation’s defense. TAL
CSM Corbin is the Command Sergeant Major of The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School and Commandant of the Noncommissioned Officer Academy in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Notes
1. This is a composite vignette based on the author’s professional experiences.
2. U.S. Dep’t of Army, Field Manual 7-22, Holistic Health and Fitness (26 Oct. 2012) (C1, 8 Oct. 2020).