FORT BENNING, Ga., (Oct. 28, 2015) -- Experts from the Army Public Health Center and the Office of the Surgeon General visited Fort Benning Oct. 19-23 as a part of the Performance Triad pilot program.

Soldiers from the 14th Combat Support Hospital, a part of the 44th Medical Brigade, participated in a Performance Triad screening Oct. 21 at Freedom Hall.

During the screening, Soldiers went through several stations to help identify areas of sleep, activity and nutrition that may be limiting their potential to optimally perform. At one of the stations, Soldiers received Fitbits, wearable technology that measures steps taken throughout the day. At others, Soldiers did physical tests or had their waist measured.

After all of the stations were completed, the Soldiers shared their information with providers to assess where they needed to improve in order to avoid injury and become healthier.

Master Sgt. Detrick Bush, 14th CSH, said Performance Triad is important for the Army because it treats Soldiers like athletes.

"In the end, it should have the Soldier performing at his or her maximum peak," he said.

Bush said going through the stations made him reflect on an injury he sustained earlier in his career.

"It probably could have been prevented if I went through something like this, because they would have identified what my shortcomings were," he said.

Bush said after learning more about Performance Triad he will look throughout formation to try and catch injuries before they become serious.

"Give it three months, and we're hoping to see our numbers improve as far as injuries going down, and lowering body mass," Bush said.

In addition to screening 14th CSH Soldiers for the Performance Triad pilot program, subject matter experts from Performance Triad conducted trainer training for senior leaders.

Col. Dave Barber, with Performance Triad, said the purpose of trainer training is to give leaders study materials and modules so they will be able to effectively teach Performance Triad to their Soldiers.

"It's not a PowerPoint presentation; it's a conversation," Barber said. "It's getting back to the old under the oak tree type training we had years ago. It returns back to the NCOs and their ability to coach, teach and mentor."

Barber said Performance Triad asks "how do you optimize yourself to be a professional Soldier athlete?"

"It's focusing your attention on how we view ourselves," he said. "The Navy spends money on ships. The Air Force spends money on airplanes. Well, we spend money on Soldiers and we want our Soldiers to be the best system we can make them to be."

Barber said Performance Triad has taken the best in sports medicine and distilled it down to seven targets - eight hours of sleep per 24-hour period, include at least two days or more resistance training per week plus one day agility training, refuel 30-60 minutes after strenuous exercise, aim for 10,000 steps plus 5,000 additional steps throughout the day, eat at least eight servings of fruits and vegetables per day, go caffeine free six hours before bedtime and incorporate at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise plus 75 minutes of vigorous intensity per week.

Another Performance Triad trainer, Sgt. 1st Class Darin Elkins, said with most Army programs the tendency is to fall into the "check-the-block" mantra where there is not a sustainable endeavor.

"But with Performance Triad we want to leverage (sleep, nutrition and activity) so that it becomes a message of enhancing what we already do," he said.

Elkins said Performance Triad brings structure to what the Army already does, and benefits the Soldiers, the unit and the Army as a whole.

"If you look at the Soldier's Creed, it tells us that we have to maintain our weapons and our arms. Performance Triad really gives Soldiers the structure and guide on how to maintain yourself. It is something they can follow and research. It's scientifically based. It's not guessing," he said.

Staff Sgt. Donnette Shedrick, a drill sergeant with 2nd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 198th Brigade, participated in the training.

"I think it's the basics of being a fit person. Having all three, sleep, nutrition and activity, makes you a more productive person, which in turn helps the Army," he said.

Shedrick said in the future he will look into better nutrition for his Soldiers.

"Chow hall procedures in basic training are fast, and Soldiers get what they can. But, for Soldiers who are having problems with weight or getting strong, I'll definitely pay attention to the nutrition piece," he said.

The Performance Triad pilot is expected to be completed by May 2016 before it moves into full Army implementation.