In this episode, tactical strength and conditioning coach Mark Christiani talks about his transition from military service to coaching and the lessons learned along the way. He discusses how structure and adaptability from military life translate to strength coaching, why the Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness initiative demands better preparation for coaches, and how the field can grow through mentorship and structured internships.
Key Takeaways
• Tactical S&C needs structured internship pipelines.
• Military discipline and adaptability improve coaching.
• The Army has hundreds of unfilled coaching roles.
• Nutrition and education drive soldier readiness.
• Mentorship is key for young coaches entering tactical S&C.
• Collaboration between collegiate and military coaches boosts effectiveness.
Quote
“But in the tactical setting, I think we need to develop some sort of internship pipeline. Specifically talking about the military right now, the Army has hundreds and hundreds of jobs that will be coming available in the next five years… but there’s no experiential internship for young coaches to get geared in that direction.” — Mark Christiani
