Tactical Recovery Demands Policy Change

In a previous article, ‘Balancing Recovery and Training for Tactical Athletes’, I discussed the need to address recovery with our tactical population. In addition to my personal experience working with the tactical population, I reviewed evidence-based research investigating the Special Operations Forces (SOF) current imbalance between demands and recovery. Despite the evidence that recovery is the cornerstone of sustainable performance, recovery protocols are often under-prioritized at the organizational level.

Current Gaps:

• No mandated minimum recovery periods after intense training or operational cycles.

• Inadequate regulation of sleep opportunities during shift work or deployments.

• Inadequate access to structured nutrition and hydration programs during operations.

• Lack of education and resources on tactical recovery for active-duty personnel.

• Need for funding for recovery resources (blackout sleeping quarters, recovery meals, mobility sessions, certified supplements).

The Cost of Ignoring Recovery:

• Increased risk of injuries (Musculoskeletal injuries are the top cause of medical leave in the military).

• Higher rates of burnout, mental health disorders (PTSD, depression, anxiety).

• Reduced operational readiness and longer rehab times.

• Billions are spent annually on medical treatment and compensation for preventable injuries.

Legislative Solutions:

1. Mandatory Recovery Protocols
   Introduce legislation requiring minimum recovery standards post-deployment or high-intensity operational cycles. Modeled after athletic return-to-play protocols, these would include mandatory nutrition, hydration, sleep periods, and active recovery before redeployment.

2. Operational Sleep Standards
   When possible, establish minimums for sleep duration and quality during training and deployment. Research shows that <5 hours of sleep significantly degrades performance and decision-making, yet operational environments often make quality sleep optional rather than standard. Balance intentional periods of inadequate sleep and build resilient warriors with optimal sleep standards and access to relevant practitioners for sleep support.

3. Nutrition Access Laws
   Ensure that high-quality recovery nutrition is integrated into field operations and base environments. Often, these deployments will require making the best of an unfavorable scenario, but future studies could investigate common deficiencies and solutions while deployed. Combat rations (MREs) alone don't meet optimal recovery standards, particularly for protein, omega-3s, and micronutrient repletion.

4. Funding for Recovery Infrastructure
   Allocate federal and state funding for sleep facilities (blackout rooms), recovery meals, on-site dietitians, strength coaches, and mental health professionals trained in tactical recovery sciences.

5. Certified Supplement Programs
   Enact policies to provide safe, third-party tested supplements for recovery (creatine, omega-3s, vitamin D), reducing reliance on poor-quality products and improving recovery without increasing injury or doping risk. Improve tactical athletes’ access to foundational certified recovery stacks while on Op or deployed to support recovery.

Bottom Line:
Tactical readiness isn’t just about more training; it’s about smarter recovery. To protect those who protect us, tactical athletes deserve legislated support for recovery practices proven to preserve health, improve performance, extend careers, and ensure a much-deserved quality of life after transitioning to civilian life.

If we truly want our tactical athletes to Fuel. Sleep. Recover. Dominate., it’s time to go beyond good advice and support change. By creating awareness and supporting policies that embed recovery into the foundation of tactical readiness, we can ensure that resilience isn’t just built, it’s protected for the long haul. Here are some organizations that are proactive in supporting our active duty, retired, and Veterans. You can get involved today by donating or sharing to create awareness:

Navy SEAL Foundation (NSF): https://www.navysealfoundation.org/donate/

Wounded Warrior Project: https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org