The Strong Stomach
Tactical Protocol for Core Stiffness
There is a fundamental misunderstanding in military fitness about how to train the core. We see soldiers who can ace a PT test, yet their bodies are breaking down. The problem isn't effort; it's a flawed training philosophy that chases repetitions over resilience. The solution is building true, functional core stiffness—the kind of internal armor that protects the spine, enhances power, and ensures career longevity.
From The Battlefield, For The Battlefield
This isn't just theory; it's a proven methodology forged by experience.
My perspective on this comes from years of firsthand experience as a Drill Sergeant responsible for forging civilians into soldiers. With multiple deployments to Iraq, I saw the gap between garrison fitness and combat readiness up close. I witnessed the strongest soldiers develop debilitating back and knee pain because their training hadn't prepared them for the brutal, asymmetrical loads of carrying body armor, ammunition, and equipment for hours on end. It was this disconnect that drove me to become a certified Strength and Conditioning Coach and Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator.
Applying these principles of building functional strength and core stiffness is what enabled me to win the title of Pacific Best Warrior. That competition isn’t won by being the best at sit-ups; it's won by being the most resilient, durable, and consistently high-performing athlete across a range of tactical tasks. My success was a direct result of training the core for its true purpose: to prevent motion and provide a stable platform for power. When you understand that your core is a "push-pull structure" designed to generate immense "superstiffness," you change the way you train. It’s about building a solid base so that, unlike a cannon on a canoe, none of your power is lost.
Credentials & Experience
- ✔ U.S. Army Infantry NCO
- ✔ Multiple Deployments to Iraq
- ✔ U.S. Army Drill Sergeant
- ✔ Pacific Best Warrior Competition Winner
- ✔ Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
- ✔ Tactical Strength & Conditioning Facilitator (TSAC-F)
The Challenge of Load Bearing
"Load bearing" is a defining characteristic of military service, encompassing the body armor, weapons, ammunition, and survival gear that service members must carry. This external load is an active force that fundamentally alters biomechanics.
External Loads Carried by U.S. Soldiers Through Major Conflicts
Data Source: Figure 20.1, NSCA's Essentials of Tactical Strength and Conditioning. Forecast is a projection based on historical trends and increasing technological demands.
The Tactical Training Protocol
My approach focuses on evidence-based methods that teach the core to resist motion by targeting three planes of anti-movement. This is how you build your internal armor.
Anti-Extension
Training the anterior core to prevent the spine from arching backward. This keeps you stable when lifting, reaching overhead, or absorbing force.
Anti-Lateral Flexion
Building stiffness on your sides to resist side-bending forces. Essential for carrying a slung rifle or an uneven pack.
Anti-Rotation
Teaching the body to prevent twisting through the torso. This allows you to transfer force from the ground through your limbs.
The Progression: Functional Application
Foundational stability is the start. The next step is to challenge that stiffness in dynamic, relevant contexts. This is where loaded carries become essential.
Suitcase Carry
Essentially a walking side plank, this exercise forces your lateral core to work tirelessly to maintain an upright posture against an offset load.
Farmer's Walk
Builds tremendous full-body stiffness, grip strength, and postural integrity. It directly translates to the demands of moving equipment on the battlefield.
Build Your Armor. Out-Train The Standard.
Core stiffness is the defining attribute that separates a fragile system from a durable one. For military personnel, building this internal armor is a non-negotiable requirement for a long, healthy, and effective career.
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