What Roles Are Available for Physical Trainers in the Military?

I'm looking into military careers and interested in physical trainer positions. What kind of roles are available for physical trainers, and what's the day-to-day like? Do you need special certifications or prior experience?

The military provides myriad roles for physical trainers, also known as Physical Readiness Trainers (PRTs), or within the Air Force, as Physical Training Leaders, each branch of the military has its own specific roles and responsibilities for PRTs.

Roles: As a PRT, your primary responsibility would be to oversee the physical fitness training of military personnel. This could involve creating tailored workout routines, conducting fitness assessments, teaching proper exercise techniques, advising on nutrition and injury prevention, and ensuring overall readiness to meet the fitness standards of the military. Apart from regular troops, you might also work with Special Forces units, or be involved in rehabilitation programs for injured military personnel.

Work Environment: As a physical trainer in the military, expect a variety-filled and physical day. This could involve conducting early morning group exercise sessions, one-on-one training during the day, designing new workout programs, or attending workshops on fitness and health. Remember that being a physical trainer in the military isn’t just a desk job and you will be expected to maintain a high level of physical fitness yourself.

Requirements: Requirements may vary across different branches of the military, but generally, you need to be an enlisted member of the military to serve as a PRT. This means passing the required physical examinations and going through Basic Combat Training (for the Army) or Boot Camp (for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force). You typically need to hold at least a high-school level education to enlist.

Advanced Specializations: For advanced positions like a physical therapist or strength and conditioning coach, a degree in Exercise Science, Physical Education, or a related field is generally required, along with relevant professional certifications.

This is just a broad overview, and the actual roles, responsibilities, and requirements could vary based on different factors. For instance, many roles might require you to have relevant first aid certifications or to undergo specific training courses provided by the military. It would be beneficial to reach out to a military recruiter to get the most accurate information tailored to your specific situation.