Musculoskeletal Care Within the Holistic Health and Fitness Team: A 12-month Retrospective Review

OIC-Mental Readiness Director-Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapist

Maureen has been with 10th CAB H2F since 2022.  She works within the Mental Readiness and Sleep Readiness domains as well as treating upper extremity injury and rehabilitation care.  

Some of the domain initiatives with 10th CAB include:

The Optimizing Warrior Leaders (OWL) program. This program joins battalion morning PT with 4-6 week programs which include a 15 minute education session with Q&A ending with a 5 minute supine breath practice.  

15 Minute Mindset program.  This program presents 15-minute weekly education sessions with small groups in the soldier workplace. 

Class presentations in Stress Management, Sleep Hygiene - Basic Fitness Leader Course (BFL)

Maureen grew up in western Massachusetts. She received a B.A. in English Literature from Trinity College, an M.A. in Latin American Studies from the University of New Mexico and a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT).   Maureen has a background in teaching and publishing (foreign rights and sales in Latin America) and has traveled to over 30 countries.

 She most recently worked as an outpatient Occupational Therapist on the Navajo reservation in Arizona for 5 years before coming to Fort Drum.  Maureen has completed U. S. Army Master Resiliency Trainer Level 1 and has certifications in Reiki, Meditation, Craniosacral Therapy and Tai Chi.

Maureen is passionate about helping soldiers understand and appreciate the mental and sleep readiness domains of H2F.  A holistically well-balanced human makes an excellent soldier!

Injury Control Director-Physical Therapist

Duane grew up in upstate New York, south of Warertown. He graduated from West Point in 2006 with a BA in mechanical engineering. He graduated flight school in 2008 and went to Ft Riley, Kansas for his first duty station with 3-1 Assault Batallion. He was one of the first to reclassify in the new M-model in 2009. Within a year the unit redeployed, reclassified, and deployed again for Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

Duane graduated from Utica College in 2019 with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. He is excited to be a part of Army Aviation and help soldiers maintain readiness through injury prevention and recovery. 

Nutrition Program Director-Registered Dietician

Registered Dietician

Kyle is an Army veteran with a lifelong passion for sport and exercise.  

While in the Army, Kyle served as an intelligence analyst with 2-87IN at Fort Drum, deploying for 18 months in support of OEF.  While deployed, Kyle had the opportunity to support his unit serving as a liaison officer to CJSOTF-A where he put in a packet to go to Ranger selection, then known as RIP.  After being selected at RIP, Kyle served as an intelligence analyst and then senior intelligence analyst at the 2nd Ranger Battalion where he deployed 5 times in support of OIF/OEF.  

Upon leaving the military, Kyle attended Arizona State University where he studied to become a registered dietitian.  While at ASU Kyle was involved in numerous community outreach programs and worked with the Pat Tillman Veterans center to better facilitate veterans’ academic success.  Kyle performed his dietetic internship with the Phoenix VA where he happily spent most of his time listening to war stories.

He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Airborne school, U.S. Army Ranger School and graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition (Dietetics) and a Master of Science in Nutrition.

NCOIC/ 68F-Physical Therapy Tech

SSG Orchard was born and raised in Michigan. He began his military career as a 68W for the first year, then returned to school and was trained as a 68WN9 ASI (Physical Therapy Tech). He has been deployed twice as a Physical Therapy Tech and has worked in both FORSCOM and MEDDAC units from Womack AMC, Fort Liberty, NC (2X), BDAACH in Camp Humphreys, South Korea (2X), 101st BSB in Fort Riley, and finally here to 10th CAB H2F Fort Drum, NY.

Being assigned to an H2F has allowed him to learn how to better serve and care for the soldiers of 10th CAB and to help them become more resilient, faster, stronger individuals, addressing the Holistic picture of the soldiers.

68L-Occupational Therapy Tech

Born and raised in Memphis, TN. His Army career started in law enforcement as a 31B, he later obtained his degree in Health Science from the Uniformed Services University. This path guided him to his first assignment as an Occupational Therapy Assistant with H2F in 2022. Here he provides Soldiers with improving their overall well-being. This collaboration along with the H2F team allows him to care and help Soldiers while building trust.

68M-Nutrition Care Specialist

Health Educator

Sam launched her career in 2013 at the Armed Forces Wellness Center in Fort Drum, where she worked closely with Soldiers. A native of the North Country, Sam grew up just 30 minutes from the base. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Plattsburgh State University in 2013. With over a decade of experience in health and fitness, Sam has worked with collegiate athletes and taught performance nutrition to active-duty soldiers. Outside of work, she loves ATVing and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.

Physical Therapist Assistant

Michael has 5 children, one grandson, and has been married to his wife Christa since Jun 2007.  He has been a PTA since graduating from SUNY Canton in 2014.  He began working on Fort Drum, NY in 2017 and transferred to 10th CAB H2F in Apr 2021.

Licenses / Credentials / Certifications:

Physical Therapist Assistant; BLS Provider; Tactical Strength & Conditioning Facilitator; Running Technique Specialist; Barbell Rehab Method; Personalized Blood Flow Restriction Rehabilitation; Mckenzie Method MDT Part A & B; Functional Movement Technique, Basic & Advanced; TRX Suspension Trainer.

Michael retired from the US Army after 21 years as a 19D Cavalry Scout at the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Deployments:

Operation Desert Sheild/Storm/Provide Comfort (Dec 1990 – Apr 1991); Operation Iraqi Freedom (Apr 2003 – Jul 2004)

Duty Stations:

Fort Knox, KY (Jul 1990 – Nov 1990) OSUT; Bamberg, Germany (Nov 1990 – Apr 1992); Fort Irwin, CA (Apr 1992 – Apr 1994); Fort Stewart, GA (Apr 1994 – Nov 1997); Camp Garry Owen, South Korea (Nov 1997 – Nov 1998); Fort Knox, KY (Nov 1998 – Jan 2001); Fort Polk, LA (Jan 2001 – Sep 2004); Fort Drum, NY (Sep 2004 – Aug 2007); Fort Knox, KY (Aug 2007 – Aug 2011)

Awards:

Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal (3rd award); Army Achievement Medal (15th Award); Presidential Unit Citation; Valorous Unit Award; Army Good Conduct Medal (6th Award); National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award); South West Asia Service Medal w/ Three Bronze Stars; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Korean Defense Service Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal w/ Campaign Star (3rd Award); NCO Professional Development Ribbon (2nd Award); Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd Award); Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal; Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia); Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach

Coach Smith has been involved with the US Army’s H2F program at Fort Drum since 2018. Coach Smith spent his first 3-years on the program with the 1st Brigade Combat Team working with 10BSB, 1-87 IN, and eventually becoming the Brigade (BDE) Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach for 1BCT.

Coach Smith and his 1-87IN H2F team achieved the highest deployability rate, highest average ACFT scores, and lowest injury profiles in the entire BDE. During his time with 1-87IN, he and his team were invited by the XVIII Airborne Corps to present on their H2F best practices at Fort Bragg during the Inaugural Human Performance Optimization Symposium.

Coach Smith is now the BDE Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach for the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade. Managing a staff of 7 Strength and Conditioning Coaches to effectively provide the units of 10th CAB the highest quality human performance and injury prevention methodologies and practices know to the field.

Coach Smith manages the 10th CAB H2F team’s Basic Fitness Leader Course, a 70-hour course designed to provide our Soldiers with the highest quality education and operationalized skill sets to be effective extensions of our H2F teams capabilities during unit PT, P3T, and Profile PT. This course has seen over 300 students participate in it and supports not just 10th CAB but anyone from across the 10th Mountain Division community interested in learning the foundational knowledge of H2F.

Coach also manages the 10th Mountain Division’s Mountain Alpine Athlete Warrior in-processing H2F integration program in close collaboration with the Mountain Reception Company. This program has seen over 10,000 Soldiers filter through and gain invaluable H2F training prior to entering their respective Units.

Coach Smith has been working with Center for Initial Military Training (CIMT) as a chosen Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach to both develop team and program to execute H2F Physical Readiness education during the Pre-Command Course and School for Command Preparation curriculum at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. This initiative has made countless powerful connections between the value of H2F and strategic leaders across the force.

Coach is originally from Cape Cod, Massachusetts. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature with a focus on Medieval Literature from Bridgewater State University as well as his Master of Science degree in Strength and Conditioning. Coach has competed in Powerlifting CrossFit, Olympic Weightlifting, Triatholons, Mixed Martial Arts, Boxing, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He enjoys hiking, the ocean, Viking history, reading, music, training hard, spending time with friends and family. His favorite rapper is Juicy J and his favorite metal band is Sleep Token.

Cognitive Performance Specialist

 Ben joined 10th CAB H2F as a cognitive performance specialist in October of 2024.

He completed his undergraduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from Brigham Young University where he helped with research related to focus and attention, as well as published a literature review in the college’s journal of Neuroscience titled “Anaerobic Exercise and the Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease”. He then earned his Master’s degree in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology at Minnesota State University where he worked with athletes from youth level up to D1 and semi-professional athletes. In addition to providing psychological skills training to athletes, he also helped found a program delivering performance psychology services to the ROTC cadets which fueled his desire to further work with military personnel.  

 When Ben is not being a cognitive performance specialist, he can probably be found at the park with his wife and two kids, weightlifting, dabbling in poetry, or reading a human performance-based book.

Hills Ben is willing to die on: Pie is better than cake, the Wheel of Time is the best fantasy series ever written, Wayne Gretzky is the most dominant athlete to ever live, and you should utilize 10th CAB’s H2F resources.

Lead Athletic Trainer

HHC BDE, 3-10 GSAB

Shawna Graduated from Garett College with an associate’s in general studies while going to night school to earn a Certification in Massage Therapy.  She then proceeded to Catawba College to finish her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training.  Prior to continuing with her education, she took a 6-month internship at ESPN’s Wide World of sports at Disney World.  To advance her knowledge further she then traveled to Philadelphia, PA and became a Temple Owl earning a Master of Education in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sport and Exercise Psychology.  Most recently she earned a Certification in Sports Management from the United States Sports Academy.

Shawna has worked as a part-time Athletic Trainer for the University of Pennsylvania after holding a 2nd Assistant Volleyball Coaching position there.  Simultaneously she maintained working with a Chiropractor as a Certified Massage Therapist and together they were part of the medical staff for 2 Philadelphia professional teams.  (NILL – Wings, NISL – Kixx).  From there she joined the Gwynedd-Mercy College staff as an assistant ATC for 1 year before landing an Assistant ATC job with Bryant University.  She stayed at Bryant for 8 years while it transformed from a DII to a DI University and then left in July 2019 to join the H2F 10th CAB while it was also still in its testing phase.   

 Since joining the team, she has seen it grow both in staff and in the space it takes up.  She became the Lead ATC in OCT 2021 when H2F became official and expanded to Brigade wide.  As of this time she has remained rear D for 2 deployments (2019 and 2024).  Shawna teaches yoga and back class, as well as assists with Knee and shoulder class.  She is the sole injury control representative at MRC in-processing currently and thoroughly enjoys introducing new soldiers to H2F. 2022.  UBW, Yoga, IN-processing.

*Fun fact – worked at a doggie day care for 2 years because I love animals. 

Athletic Trainer

1-10 AB/ D10 GE/ 6-6 CAV

Chris started his career as a combat medic in the U.S. Army. He served with the 19th Engineer Battalion out of Fort Knox, KY including one tour overseas in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He finished his military service at Fort Drum, NY with the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment and 10th Brigade Support Battalion serving as the Battalion Aid Station NCOIC.

Chris graduated from Brockport State University with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training as a board-certified athletic trainer. He graduated from Plattsburgh State University in 2022 receiving his masters in exercise science.

Chris has worked as an athletic trainer with Geneseo State University providing medical care for men’s lacrosse, women’s soccer, volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s hockey, and track and field.

Chris worked as an athletic trainer for the Rochester NY football club of the MLS.

Chris is currently the head athletic trainer for the Watertown Red and Black of the Empire Football League.

Chris has been with 10 CAB H2F since June 2022 and has spearheaded multiple initiatives in his time. He teaches a musculoskeletal course for the 68W sustainment class at the Medical Simulation Training Center, orders and organizes the medical supply for 10th CAB H2F, and is the Program Coordinator and medical point of contact for the Postpartum and Pregnancy Physical Training program (P3T).

Strength and Conditioning Coach

1-10 AB/ D10 GE

Owen graduated from Rutgers University in 2018 with his bachelors in Exercise Science where he played hockey. Coached and trained primarily hockey players in New Jersey and worked in the strength and conditioning department at The College of New Jersey before Covid.

During and after Covid, Owen worked for GNC managing multiple stores in New Jersey and Staten Island before returning to coaching.

Currently, Owen coaches the Fort Drum Strong Man team.

Strength and Condition Coach

6-6 CAV

Coach Jake began working with 10th CAB H2F in February 2024 and has quickly integrated into 6-6 Cav.

Before Fort Drum, he worked in collegiate athletics (primarily with football, secondarily with Olympic sports) with stints at the University of Tulsa, University of Central Florida, and Albany State University. He played football at Mercer University and graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Sports Marketing and Analytics. He is currently in pursuit of a Master's degree in Fitness and Wellness Leadership from SUNY Plattsburgh.

Coach Jake's training philosophy focuses on total body training, developing strength and resiliency through full ranges of motion, building a strong base of aerobic conditioning, and mastering movement patterns. He believes education should be integrated into each training session, so when a Soldier has completed their service they have the foundation to live a healthy life.

Athletic Trainer

277 ASB/ 2-10 AHB

Bryon comes to H2F CAB bringing with him 27 years of experience as a BOC Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC). He graduated from SUNY Brockport in 1997. He started his career working at SUNY Upstate Orthopedics, covering Liverpool High School, and at the same time was the Director of Athletic Therapy at The Training Room, Inc. During that period, he studied to become a Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certified Orthotist in 1999. Additionally at that time, he was also the Certified Athletic Trainer for the Syracuse Storm semi-professional football team, and the Syracuse Jr. Crunch Major A hockey team. In 2001, Bryon became the Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine at Cazenovia College. He worked there for 22 years before the unfortunate announcement the College was closing. He started at H2F in February of 2023.

Bryon loves ice hockey, playing through college, and was inducted into the Oswego High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018. He also coached the Cazenovia College Club Hockey Team for 4 years. He currently resides in Cicero, NY with his 2 labs, and 2 cats. He has 3 children, Gavin (20), Brayden (17), and Brynn (15).

Strength and Conditioning Coach

2-10 AHB

William graduated from Gannon University in Erie Pennsylvania where he obtained a Masters of Science Degree in Applied Exercise Science.

While in school, William got certified as a personal trainer and worked in a variety of settings. He got his bachelors of science and became a CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist). He began working as a SCC at his University, supporting mens football and women’s acrobatic and tumbling worked as a SCC at a youth athletic development center and volunteered working with adaptive athletes.

William obtained his Masters Degree and joined the H2F team in May of 2022, supporting Sustainment Brigade for the majority of his time and began supporting the Combat Aviation Brigade in August of 2024.

When he’s not on base, William can be found sailing, golfing and hiking in the summer and snowboarding in the winter. He is also an instructor at the local Dry Hill Ski Area, come into the Owls Den and find him if your interested in learning to snowboard this winter.

Strength and Conditioning Coach

277 ASB

Lauren is a passionate Strength and Conditioning Coach dedicated to optimizing athletic performance and overall wellness. With over three years of experience working with the 10th CAB H2F, she has the privilege of honing her skills in an environment that prioritizes both physical readiness and mental resilience.

During her time with the Army H2F program, she has collaborated closely with soldiers, crafting personalized training regimens that integrate cutting-edge techniques and evidence-based practices. Her work has involved everything from enhancing physical readiness and injury prevention to fostering a holistic approach to fitness that includes nutrition, recovery, and mental well-being.

Outside of the Army, she brings a wealth of experience from her time playing collegiate lacrosse. Lauren’s educational background in Nutrition and Exercise Science complements her hands-on experience, ensuring that her approach is both scientifically grounded and practically effective.

When Lauren is not coaching, you can find her creating new swag and marketing material for her team and restocking her snack drawer to satisfy her sweet tooth. Her mission is simple: to empower individuals to surpass their goals and redefine their limits.