This year, take charge of your physical fitness with CFHPP

DETROIT ARSENAL, Mich. — From breaking a personal running record to deadlifting 700 pounds, the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Weapons Command teammates have big fitness goals for 2026.

They have a support system in their corner: the Civilian Fitness and Health Promotion Program.

CFHPP is a voluntary Department of War initiative designed to enhance the quality of life for the Army’s civilian workforce while simultaneously improving organizational well-being and productivity. The TACOM leadership team strongly supports this program as part of its investment in the health and well-being of civilian employees across the command.

Under the program, people can use up to three hours of administrative leave per week for fitness and health-related activities such as walking, running, cycling or weight lifting. CFHPP encourages participation in preventive health events and educational sessions on topics such as nutrition and exercise.

Employees who actively participate in this program have been shown to improve quality of life, fitness, productivity and, ultimately, mission readiness for our organization and the Soldiers we support.

This connection to the mission was highlighted by research cited in a 2023 paper in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Researchers have found that awareness and use of workplace health promotion programs are positively related to employee job performance.

In addition, there is substantial evidence that participation in fitness programs can reduce the risk of injury, delay the onset of illness, reduce the use of sick days, and improve both morale and mental health.

At TACOM headquarters, 2,713 people are enrolled in the CFHPP — a number that the command’s leadership team expects to increase. There is also an ongoing effort to raise awareness about the importance of entering CFHPP hours while filling out timesheets.

Physical fitness is a key component of total force fitness, a holistic framework for human performance, mission readiness and well-being of service members and their families. TFF emphasizes the importance of fitness in several other areas, such as psychological, social and spiritual.

Three members of the TACOM team – Chris Martinez, Brian Weiss and Nathan Krzyniak – serve as great examples of how CFHPP can help people achieve their fitness goals while improving their personal well-being. Here’s a look at their stories:

‘Begin!’

Chris Martinez, a former CH-47 pilot, retired as a CW3 after 10 years of active duty service. Today, he is the Safety and Occupational Health Program Manager for TACOM and the Co-Chair for the Environment and Quality of Life Working Group for the Commanders’ Readiness and Resiliency Council.

An Army civilian employee for 7 1/2 years, Martinez discovered the CFHPP opportunity three years ago through a command e-mail message. He works out six days a week, spending three of those days in the Detroit Arsenal weight room to improve his long-distance running training. As a disabled veteran with some physical limitations, CFHPP helps him combat muscle stiffness.

Martinez said his long-term goal is to be an “old athlete” who runs marathons and ultra-marathons. Discipline and support from his family and friends keeps him on target with his goals.

This year, Martinez plans to participate in three major races: the 15K Gasparilla Distance Classic in Florida, the New York City Marathon and the California International Marathon. He is sponsored by Team Ultra (Meshlub Ultra) and belongs to the International WAHOO Running Association.

For anyone considering starting a fitness program or taking advantage of the CFHPP, Martinez has this advice:

“Start, even if it’s something that seems small to you, set a goal and work towards it,” he said. “Don’t waste this advantage that helps physically and mentally.”

‘Discipline and Persistence by Default’

Brian Weiss leads workforce development initiatives as a senior training specialist in TACOM’s G1 Directorate. Physical activity was always important to him. After his active duty ended, he entered the Army Reserves and was one of the top competitors in the Army Reserve Marksmanship Unit, earning numerous state, regional and national titles.

Today, Weiss works out seven days a week, focusing five days on strength training and two days on running. He said his top priorities are his family and staying injury-free as he approaches 40 years old. He wants to maintain high standards of fitness as he ages so that he can keep up with his twin daughters.

“Effort is fleeting, but discipline and persistence by default will remove excuses and lead to progress,” he said.

Weiss, who credits his wife as his biggest supporter, is sponsored by Atlas Gunworks to compete in the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) and the United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA). His next big fitness goal is a 10-mile race hosted by the Cream Festival. He intends to beat his previous record of 68 minutes.

‘Absolutely maximize this opportunity’

Nathan Krzyniak, who served 10 ½ years in the Air Force, is a supervisory health physicist with TACOM’s Office of Safety. He has been with the command for six years and began his CFHPP tour three years ago.

Krzyniak focuses his workouts on “big lifts” to build strength and raw power to prepare for intense competition. He won the “Best Lifter (Male Master)” award at the 2024 Tone for Tots Charity Powerlifting event and placed fourth at the 2022 Brain and Muscle Showdown Strongman competition.

Krzyniak said the CFHPP program supports both his physical and mental health. For him, powerlifting is a straightforward sport that requires consistency focused on increasing the maximum amount the participant can lift over time. His Detroit Arsenal gym buddies and fellow athletes are his inspiration, with plans to keep his physical fitness well into his golden years.

Krzyniak hopes to compete in another strong competition in three years. His next big goals are to bench press 600 pounds, bench press 400 pounds, deadlift 700 pounds and log press 275 pounds. He plans to participate in the MWR “1,000 Club” fitness challenge and wants to help influence other fitness activities at the Detroit Arsenal. He has this advice for his fellow TACOM teammates:

“Get the most out of the fitness policy as much as you can,” he said. “Absolutely maximize this opportunity. It’s like a TSP[savings plan]— 4% of your duty time[is]spent on self-improvement and longevity.”