Resources For The Military Community
Below are resources for service members, veterans, and their families to receive information on programs related to physical activity and nutrition.
List of Resources
The President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition (PCSFN) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) does not necessarily endorse any of the products or services provided by the outside entities listed below. The PCSFN and HHS are not responsible for the contents of any "off-site" web page referenced from this server. The PCSFN and HHS do not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process provided by the outside entities listed below.
5210 Healthy Military Children
U.S. Department of Defense & Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at The Pennsylvania State University
5210 is a healthy lifestyle initiative working to help children increase physical activity, reduce screen time, and manage a balanced diet. The program creates fun and easy ways for children and their families to remember health goals and track progress.
Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness
U.S. Department of Defense & Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at The Pennsylvania State University
The Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness web page provides resources to help military families stay strong. The site provides an interactive, searchable database of programs for military and civilian families regarding health and wellness, obesity prevention, and proper nutrition.
DoD Warrior Games
U.S. Department of Defense
The DoD Warrior Games is an annual adaptive sports competition for wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans. In 2017, approximately 265 athletes participated in several sporting events, representing teams from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, U.S. Special Operations Command, as well as the United Kingdom (U.K.) Armed Forces and the Australian Defence Force. The DoD Warrior Games highlight the resiliency and warrior spirit of service members, veterans and their families and caregivers. Adaptive sports and athletic reconditioning activities play a fundamental role in the successful recovery and reintegration of our service members and veterans.
Guard Your Health
Army National Guard
Guard Your Health provides a central place for Army National Guard Soldiers and family members to find information and resources on health and medical readiness. The site supports the Army National Guard Chief Surgeon’s efforts to build and sustain a resilient, adaptable and medically ready Citizen-Soldier force.
Infographic: Physical Activity Builds a Healthy and Strong America
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
This infographic outlines the effects inadequate physical activity has on our nation’s health, economy and military readiness. It also emphasizes the many health, safety, and community benefits increased physical activity can offer.
MilitaryINSTALLATIONS
U.S. Department of Defense
The MilitaryINSTALLATIONS website is the official DoD source for installation and state resources available to active duty, guard and reserve service and family members. The database provides resources on or near a duty station and features options to search for local physical activity and nutrition programs.
Military OneSource - Website
U.S. Department of Defense
Military OneSource is provided by the Department of Defense at no cost to active duty, Guard, and Reserve service members (regardless of activation status), and their families. It is a virtual extension of installation services. Military OneSource is a confidential Department of Defense-funded program providing comprehensive information on every aspect of military life including, but not limited to, deployment, reunion, relationship, grief, spouse employment and education, parenting and childhood, and much more.
MilitaryOneSource - Call Center
U.S. Department of Defense
Military OneSource is provided by the Department of Defense at no cost to active duty, Guard, and Reserve service members (regardless of activation status), and their families. It is a virtual extension of installation services. In addition to the website, Military OneSource offers a confidential call center open 24 hours a day for consultations on a number of issues such as spouse education and career opportunities, issues specific to families with a member with special needs, health coaching, financial support, and resources. Visit Military OneSource today or call 800-342-9647.
Morale, Welfare and Recreation Programs
U.S. Armed Forces
Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) are community support and quality of life programs offered to members of the Armed Forces and their families. Each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces maintains their own program, and services offered vary by branch and location. Services offered may include recreation, sports, and leisure activities designed to relieve stress and build strength and resilience.
MOVE! Weight Management Program
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
MOVE! is a weight management promotion program from the Veterans Health Affairs National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention designed to improve the lives of Veterans. The program’s goals are to annually screen every Veteran who receives care at VA facilities for obesity, refer individuals to weight management services, and make available different treatment options that fit the needs and preferences of Veterans. The program can be coordinated through Veterans’ VA Primary Care team, or a self-guided program available through a mobile phone app (available to the general public).
National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
The National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (NCP) is a field-based national program office of the Veterans Health Affairs Office of Patient Care Services that strives to improve the quality of life for Veterans by providing VA clinicians with evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention practices. NCP’s clinical program areas include MOVE!, Veterans Health Education and Information, Clinical Preventive Services, and Health Promotion/Disease Prevention.
National Veterans Golden Age Games
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
The Department of Veterans Affairs National Veterans Golden Age Games is the premier senior adaptive rehabilitation program in the United States, and the only national multi-event sports and recreational seniors’ competition program designed to improve the quality of life for all older Veterans, including those with a wide range of abilities and disabilities. Veterans must be 55 years of age and older, and enrolled in VA health care. The Games are held annually.
Navy Fitness Program
U.S. Navy
The Navy Fitness Program offers fitness programming opportunities, intramural sports programs, and nutrition education resources to the entire Navy population.
Operation Live Well
U.S. Department of Defense
Operation Live Well provides access to resources to help adopt or maintain a healthy lifestyle. Resources focus on six dimensions of wellness: Integrative Wellness, Mental Wellness, Nutrition, Physical Activity, Sleep, and Tobacco-free Living. Operation Live Well provides preventive health information, health tools, and outreach materials.
Performance Triad
U.S. Army
The Performance Triad is a comprehensive plan to improve readiness and increase resilience through public health initiatives and leadership engagement. The Triad is the foundation for Army Medicine’s transformation to a System for Health, a partnership among Soldiers, Families, Leaders, Health Teams and Communities to promote Readiness, Resilience and Responsibility. The focus of the Performance Triad is on Sleep, Activity, and Nutrition – key actions that influence health. Information available online includes toolkits, challenges, and resources for the entire family.
TriCare
U.S. Department of Defense
TriCare is the health care program for uniformed service members and their families around the world. In addition to providing comprehensive coverage to all beneficiaries, TriCare provides information and resources for programs regarding health and wellness for the general public, children and families, and older adults.
VA Adaptive Sports Program
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
The VA Adaptive Sports Program motivates, encourages and sustains participation and competition in adaptive sports among disabled Veterans and members of the Armed Forces. The program operates through partnerships with VA clinical personnel as well as national and community-based adaptive sports programs. The Adaptive Sports Program offers a grant program for the expansion of adaptive sports activities, and a training allowance program for disabled Veterans interested in becoming a Paralympic athlete.
Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program
U.S. Department of Defense
The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program is a DoD-wide effort to promote the well-being of National Guard and Reserve members, their families and communities, by connecting them with resources throughout the deployment cycle. Commanders and leaders play a critical role in ensuring that National Guard and Reserve Service members and their families attend Yellow Ribbon Events where they can access information on healthcare, education, employment, and financial and legal benefits.
YMCA | DOD Military Outreach Initiative
The Y & U.S. Department of Defense
As part of the Department of Defense's Military Outreach Initiative, the Armed Services YMCA has partnered with YMCAs, as well as national and independent fitness centers nationwide, to offer eligible National Guard and Reserve members and their families free access to fitness centers and respite child care services. For eligibility information, please see the program website.
