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assisting Servicemembers and their families with challenges, or policies of The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Ad-
transitions, and issues unique to military life. For a broader vancement of Military Medicine, Inc. Trade names, commer-
perspective, the aspects of social fitness that include peer and cial products, or organizations mentioned herein do not imply
team relations, leader/follower dynamics, and the sociocul- endorsement by the U.S. Government.
tural context of the military environment at large should be
strengthened. References
1. Joint Chiefs of Staff. Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff Instruc-
Additional opportunities are needed to leverage the expertise tion. 23 September 2013. https://www.jcs.mil/Portals/36/Documents
of social fitness experts (or those with professionally adjacent /Library/Instructions/3405_01.pdf?ver=2016-02-05-175032-517.
Accessed 20 August 2023.
training) to clearly address issues of team cohesion, sense of 2. Total Force Fitness DOTmLPF-P Change Recommendation (Joint
belonging, and relational factors that exist within command Readiness Oversight Council) (2018).
hierarchies of military groups and teams. These assets could 3. Coulter I, Lester P, Yarvis J. Social fitness. Mil Med. 2010;175(8S):
also support optimal functioning of the multidisciplinary pro- 88–96.
fessionals who must work collaboratively to deliver integrated 4. Health.mil. Social fitness. https://www.health.mil/Military-Health
human performance programs. This approach would address -Topics/Total-Force-Fitness/Social-Fitness. Accessed 20 August
social fitness needs within holistic programs. 2023.
5. CHAMP Uniformed Services University. What is social fitness?
The basics of relationship health for military servicemembers.
In summary, the social domain in the TFF framework is vi- https://www.hprc-online.org/social-fitness/relationship-building/
tal for programs dedicated to improving the total fitness of what-social-fitness-basics-relationship-health-military. Accessed 20
Servicemembers, and for human performance optimization. August 2023.
Obtaining the biggest return on investment from social fitness 6. SOCOM HQ – Preservation of the Force and Family. https://
programs requires definitional clarity, subject matter expertise www.socom.mil/POTFF/Pages/social_performance.aspx. Accessed
20 August 2023.
with an eye toward interdisciplinary and cross-domain efforts, 7. Jonas WB, O’Connor FG, Deuster P, et al. Why total force git-
and a systematic approach. Finally, understanding the dynamic ness? Mil Med. 2010;175(8S):6–13.
nature of the social domain and addressing the current chal- 8. McGene J. Social fitness and resilience: A review of relevant con-
lenges can facilitate the design and development of effective structs, measures, and links to well-being. Rand Health Quar-
programs that support the overall fitness efforts, while simul- terly. 2014;3(4):7–7.
taneously adapting to inevitable social change. 9. Griffith J. Measurement of group cohesion in in U.S. Army units.
Basic & Appl Psych. 1998;9:149-171.
10. Martino J, Pegg J, Frates EP. The connection prescription: Using
Author Contributions the power of social interactions and the deep desire for connect-
RM, GP, NBS, SB, RC, AH, and LM all contributed to the writ- edness to empower health and wellness. Am J Lifestyle Med.
ing of the manuscript. RM, GP, and RC completed the final 2017;11(6):466–475.
edits and revisions. 11. Agashe S, Kumar S, Rai R. Exploring the relationship between
social ties and resilience from evolutionary framework. Front Hu-
man Dynamics. 2021;3.
Conflicts of Interest 12. Nie Y, Richards M, Kubinova R, et al. Social networks and cog-
The authors have no financial interests or relationships to nitive function in older adults: Findings from the HAPIEE Study.
disclose. BMC Geriatrics. 2021;21(1):570–570.
13. Park GH, Lunasco TK, Chamberlin RA, Deuster PA. Optimizing
Disclaimer teamwork for human performance teams: Strategies for enhanc-
The opinions and assertions expressed herein are those of the ing team effectiveness. J Spec Oper Med. 2020;20(4):115–120.
authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the 14. Fosher KB, McKenzie L. The rise and decline of U.S. Military cul-
ture programs, 2004–20. Marine Corps University Press; 2021.
Uniformed Services University or the Department of Defense.
The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of PMID: 37699257; DOI: 10.55460/TRM7-423O
the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions,

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