Military Athlete Certification Course

Build Tactical Fitness Programming Capability at the Unit Level.

The Military Athlete Programming Certification Course is 3-days of hands-on, intensive fitness programming instruction designed  to teach experienced military and unit fitness leaders in the deliberate, structured, and mission-specific design of physical training for military athletes.

At a time when military fitness programming is increasingly outsourced to contractors and civilians, this course puts programming in the hands of the NCOs and leaders who live it, lead it, and own it.

At MTI, we’ve spent nearly two decades building and refining the craft of programming for tactical athletes. What began with a blank slate became the MTI Method: a field-proven system built on real-world demands, continuous iteration, and uncompromising standards. Along the way we’ve learned this hard good programming is everything when it comes to building mission-direct fitness. It’s more important than equipment, facilities and charismatic coaching.

This course teaches tactical leaders the principles and practices that have driven MTI’s success for nearly 20 years—principles not found in weekend certifications, hype-heavy coaching clinics, or government doctrine.

This course teaches tactical leaders to:

• Design, implement, and adapt unit-specific fitness programs
• Understand and apply MTI’s proven programming methodology
• Build training that aligns with mission demands, deployment cycles, and readiness goals
• Sustain readiness when civilian trainers, gyms, and resources aren’t available

It’s built around MTI’s Fluid Periodization model of concurrently training the primary fitness demands of military athletes – Strength, Work Capacity, Chassis Integrity (functional core), Tactical Agility and Endurance (run/ruck).

MTI’s tactical programming theory and approach has been tested and refined over 18+ years by military special operators, conventional units and indivial military athletes.

Students will learn structured performance design—the sets, reps, loading, and progressions and the specific method and details that drive adaptation and readiness, including:

• How to build Base Fitness (day to day) programming that balances strength, work capacity, endurance, tactical agility and chassis integrity
• How to design mission-specific training for deployments, selections, and PFTs
• How to adapt programming when equipment is limited, time is short, or injuries are prsent
• The MTI Method of engineered programming: identify demands → select tools → set targets → program backwards → deploy → test → iterate

Who This Course Is For

This is not a beginner’s course. This is a professional school for tactical programming.

Minimum Requirements:

• Senior NCOs, tactical instructors, or military professionals with a functional fitness background
• Basic Familiarity with programming concepts (mesocycles, work capacity, endurance, etc.)
• Competency in barbell movements (e.g. power cleans) and independent gym training. There is no exercise instruction.
• Mental discipline and attention to detail—this is a thinking course, not a workout session

Course Curriculum:

Day 1 – Foundations:

• Tactical Fitness Attributes & The MTI Model
• Macro (Year), Meso (4–8 Week), and Micro (Session) Design overview and application
• Strength Progressions: TLU, Density, Bodyweight Methods

Day 2 – Complete Multi-Week and Individual Session Design with specifics on how to program for …

• Work Capacity
• Chassis Integrity
• Tactical Agility
• Endurance (Speed Over Ground + Aerobic Base for run and ruck)
• Nutrition Fundamentals for Operational Performance
• Programming for Injured Athletes
• Austere Location (no equipment) modification and design

 Day 3 – Event-Specific Programming

• Deployment, Selection, School, and PFT Programming
• Adapting Base Fitness to Mission-Specific Goals
• Real-World Case Studies and Hands-On Design Practice

Train Anywhere. Program for Everything.

Military Athletes need to train wherever they are—field, ship, FOB, garrison. This course equips them to design purpose-built training under constraint: no gym, no contractor, no problem.

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Course Details

• Cost: $1200/student.
• 10+ Minimum Students.
• Duration: 3 days (Classroom and Hands On Training)
• Certification: MTI Military Athlete Programming Certification
• Tuition includes a 1-Year MTI Athlete Subscription ($379 value) for each student.
• Location? Instructors come to you.

Graduates of the Military Athlete Programming Certification Course will be equipped to design adaptive, mission-ready training that holds up under any condition: field, garrison, deployed, or constrained by time and equipment. They apply both scientific principles and coaching craft to build resilient, high-performing tactical athletes. With this knowledge, they are prepared to take full ownership of their unit’s physical training, designing and leading programs that reflect discipline, intellect, and professional mastery—directly enhancing combat readiness.

Interested or Need More Info?

Email MTI Founder, Rob Shaul directly: rob@mtntactical.com.