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Kelli Florio, an Athletic Trainer stationed at Fort Bragg, has taken to social media to condemn the U.S. Army’s decision to eliminate Athletic Trainer positions from its Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) program. In a nearly nine-minute Facebook video, Florio called the move a “grave mistake,” warning that it threatens the very mission of troop readiness and long-term resiliency.
“There is nothing that makes sense about this decision to get rid of these Athletic Trainers,” Florio said.
A former Division I Athletic Trainer who joined the military sector in 2022, Florio emphasized that Athletic Trainers serve as the first line of care for musculoskeletal injuries—particularly in forward-operating and airborne environments where immediate care is crucial.
"If we’re focusing on readiness of the force, this decision is mind-blowing,” she added. Florio underscored that while strength coaches are valuable members of the team, they cannot replace the specialized medical expertise Athletic Trainers bring.
“You cannot replace Athletic Trainers with strength coaches and think you’re getting anything close to the same thing,” she said, arguing that such a substitution could lead to treatment delays and unnecessary loss of deployable personnel.
Florio, who has served at institutions such as Campbell and Marquette universities, said she hopes her message reaches decision-makers who can reverse the cuts.
“I’m speaking out because this is about the health and future of our soldiers,” she said.
The Army has yet to respond to her comments, and it remains unclear whether public figures are aware of the issue. For now, Florio continues to advocate for a profession she believes is vital to protecting those who serve.
See her social media post here!
