The Operational Athlete

 An Operational Athlete is like no other athlete on earth. They  receive no preparation time before their event. They become aware of the  physical requirements of that event as they unfold. They have little  information for the ground that event will be played on, the temperature  it will be played at or the duration of time it will cover. But what  does that mean in terms of how they prepare?

It  means that the operational athlete has to prepare for literally  everything. All the traditional athletic avenues: strength, power,  endurance, flexibility and agility. The difference is the proportion. A  marathoner does not have the same physical requirements as a football  player; therefore while there may be some crossover in their training  methodologies, the proportionate times are relative to the activity of  choice.The Operational Athlete has no such specificity. The  Operational Athlete must be agile and powerful, with a high  strength-to-mass ratio. He or she must also have good cardiovascular  endurance. Both are requirements of the job and both may aid in a life  saving situation (be it someone else's or their own).

 They must be  concerned with injury prevention and reactivity to ensure career  longevity. They must be able to come out of long periods of idle  behavior without fear of their body failing them. The Operational  Athlete must have the work capacity to perform a variety of tasks  successfully in order to do their job well. He or she must be able to  cover ground quickly and efficiently, jump,climb, dive, crawl, duck,  evade, grapple, pursue and any number of other movement descriptions at  any given time.Training methods commonly learned early on or  through traditional mass-media are not as effective for the Operational  Athlete. Training for them is not about look or performance (though both  are side benefits), but about lifestyle. Excess bulk will only serve to  slow them down, but minimal mass will not allow them a level playing  field with heavier opponents.

 The ability to maneuver with equipment and  kit must also be a concern, so solid core strength must be included in  training. The creation of strength and power can be achieved without the  addition of excess mass by improving the body's ability to overcome  force from a variety of angles and overcoming instability in body  position or contact points.The Operational Athlete is adaptable.  No matter his core specialty, he seeks to cross train and apply lessons  learned from other fields into his day to day routine. He is prepared to  operate as part of a team or alone for extended periods of time relying  solely on his wits,conditioning, and equipment for success.The  Operational Athlete is a chameleon. He wants to be underestimated. He  has mastered the craft of camouflage and knows that it takes many forms.  Situationally aware and knows the disadvantages of being recognizable  as a member of his chosen profession.

The Operational Athlete is a  subject matter professional. He acquires or modifies existing purpose  built equipment to perform the mission, selecting the right clothing and  equipment to blend in. Everything he does is for effect; dedicated to  the constant preparation for when he has to answer the call. 

The Operational Athlete recognizes that strength comes in many forms.