Healthy Army Communities Initiative

Fort Sill is a Legacy site of the Healthy Army Communities Initiative. Healthy Army Communities (HAC) is a coordinated Army-wide effort to improve the health and wellness of the total Army community, including active duty, reservists, families, civilians, and retirees. HAC focuses on changing the environment to make the healthy choice the easy choice, and helping individuals refocus their behavior toward healthier lifestyles. This effort includes the reshaping of Army communities to support healthier places to live, learn, eat, work, play, and shop on Army garrisons.

A fit and healthy fighting force is the foundation of a strong national defense. But in the United States, poor health, obesity, lack of physical fitness, poor eating habits, and tobacco use pose a growing threat to mission readiness, retention, recruitment, and resiliency. A few observations underscore the scale of the challenge:
 

• Readiness: 20% of Active Duty Service Members are overweight and 17% are obese (>400K)
• Retention: Failing weight standards is a leading cause of involuntary separation from military service
• Fiscal Impact: Medical services due to obesity and tobacco-related illness costs the DoD over $4B annually
• Recruitment: In 2010, 27 percent of recruits did not qualify for the military due to weight standards. By 2030, it is estimated that over 60 percent of potential recruits will not qualify due to their weight.
  
  Some changes you may have notice include:
   
  • Increased Go for Green 2.0 signage and green-coded foods in the Dining Facilities
  • Increased BeFit food/snack options in the Expresses and MWR food establishments
  • Increased FitPick options in the vending machines
  • The opening of Muscle Maker Grill in the PX
  • The Thumbs Up Nutrition Guide in the Commissary
  • And much more!