A groundbreaking rehabilitation program at the Army Health Clinic SOUTHCOM’s Physical Therapy Clinic in Doral, Fla., is transforming how post-operative Soldiers return to peak physical condition. The Physical Readiness Injury-Prevention Military Enhancement (PRIME) program was developed by Ms. Brittany Murdock, SOUTHCOM’s physical therapy assistant, to bridge the critical gap between the conclusion of a typical physical therapy plan of care and the rigorous operational demands of military service.
"We saw a critical need to standardize the transition from clinical rehabilitation back to full duty," said MAJ Charles Rettig, the SOUTHCOM physical therapist. "PRIME provides that essential, structured pathway to ensure our Soldiers don't just recover, but excel."
This structured approach stands in stark contrast to the often-unstandardized Reconditioning Physical Readiness Training (rPRT) programs found in many garrison units, which frequently yield low results. The first of its kind for SOUTHCOM, PRIME targets Service Members who have completed their initial in-clinic rehabilitation but still lack the confidence and physical capacity to excel in the Army Fitness Test (AFT). By focusing on functional fitness and holistic wellness, PRIME is setting a new standard for military healthcare and demonstrating remarkable success in its initial cohort.
The first iteration of PRIME involved two Army soldiers recovering from lower-body surgeries: one from an ankle surgery and the other from an ACL reconstruction. This comprehensive, four-week program consisted of weekly sessions that included a dynamic warmup, targeted upper-body, lower-body, and core stability exercises, and a specialized 20-minute, four-phase treadmill training program. Beyond the clinic, Soldiers were assigned a home exercise program to perform three times a week. The program’s holistic approach armed Soldiers with crucial knowledge on sleep, nutrition, hydration, proper footwear, and knowledge to recognize the symptoms of overtraining in ensuring a well-rounded recovery.
"The holistic education component is just as important as the physical training," said Murdock. "We are empowering our Soldiers with the knowledge to take ownership of their long-term health and readiness."
The results of the pilot program were nothing short of exceptional. The two Soldiers saw their AFT scores increase by 46 and 57 points, respectively, moving closer to the maximum 500-point score. The most significant gains were observed in three of the most demanding AFT events: the 3-repetition maximum deadlift, the sprint-drag-carry, and the 2-mile run.
One participant, SSG Rebecca Deberry, highlighted the program’s impact as it gave her “the direction and motivation needed to confidently perform all AFT tasks and strive for continued improvement” within six months of a significant surgery. This success underscores PRIME’s effectiveness in preparing Soldiers for the specific challenges of their profession. Following these outstanding outcomes, there are plans to expand the program to include all branches of the U.S. military, promising a new era of enhanced readiness and confidence for post-operative Service Members across the joint force.
"The success of this pilot is a testament to the dedication of our staff and the resilience of our Soldiers," Rettig said. "We are confident that PRIME will become a cornerstone of our return-to-duty protocol, ensuring every service member has the opportunity to return to their peak performance."