NATIONAL STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES 2025 TACTICAL STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING AWARD WINNERS

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) is proud to announce the recipients of the organization’s 2025 Tactical Awards. Nominated by the NSCA community, these distinguished awards honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the tactical strength and conditioning community. Each winner will be formally recognized at 2025 NSCA Tactical Annual Training on August 26–29, in San Antonio, TX, and online.

The NSCA is honored to announce Brandon M. Roberts, PhD, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F,*D, as the 2025 Tactical Strength and Conditioning Professional of the Year. This accomplishment recognizes the coach, researcher, tactical professional, educator, or administrator whose influential contributions have led and advanced the field with measurable and outstanding results.

Dr. Brandon Roberts is a major serving in the U.S. Army as a research physiologist at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. Using a combination of cell culture, animal models, clinical trials, and field studies, he investigates how the body responds to exercise, injury, extreme environments, and the effects of pharmaceutical and nutritional interventions.

The NSCA is equally honored to announce Patrick McHenry, MA, CSCS,*D, RSCC*E, as the 2025 Tactical Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year. This achievement recognizes the coach whose influence within their assigned military, law enforcement, or fire and rescue setting exceeds that of their peers. This influence may be the result of coaching-related accomplishments, such as measurable performance improvements or injury reduction, program creation, advancement through innovation, or other initiatives that enhance wellness, health, and performance at the local level.

Patrick McHenry is a GS-12 strength supervisor and operations manager with the Air Force Special Warfare Human Performance Training Squadron, overseeing the 353 TACP training pipeline. With more than 30 years of experience developing athletes from youth to high school, collegiate, professional, and tactical levels, he leads the development of airmen from Basic Military Training to Beret. McHenry supervises human performance teams, uniting CADRE and contractors to implement holistic performance and wellness programs that are scientifically sound and tailored to training age and ability level. He has briefed generals, foreign liaison officers, and Pentagon officials on human performance optimization. An NSCA member since 1989, he has served as a state director, on multiple committees, and on the Board of Directors. He is an international presenter and co-editor of the NSCA’s Guide to High School Strength and Conditioning, with contributions to books, journals, manuals, and videos.

The NSCA invites you to join us in celebrating their achievements at NSCA Tactical Annual Training this August 26–29 in San Antonio, TX, and online. Register now at NSCA.com/Tactical-Training.

For more information about the NSCA’s esteemed awards, visit NSCA.com/Membership/Awards.

Media Note: To schedule an interview with award winners, please contact marketing@nsca.com.

About the National Strength & Conditioning Association

Founded in 1978, the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) is an educational nonprofit dedicated to advancing strength and conditioning and sport science professions around the world. The NSCA empowers a community of professionals by disseminating evidence-based knowledge and its practical application through industry-leading certifications, peer-reviewed research journals, career development services, and continuing education. The NSCA community is composed of more than 60,000 certified professionals and members worldwide who further industry standards as researchers, educators, strength and conditioning coaches, performance and sport scientists, personal trainers, tactical professionals, and other related roles.