A soldier’s readiness depends on more than physical strength. Sustained attention, recovery, and the ability to respond effectively under pressure are part of the same picture.
Our work with the U.S. Army
Bryan Hixson, Neuroscience Director and Founder of the Brain Performance Center, has worked extensively with the U.S. Army to develop brain optimization programs for soldiers.
The Brain Performance Center has had multiple contracts with the Department of Defense to help increase resilience and performance within the Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness (CSF2) program. This work brought individualized brain mapping and neurofeedback into a broader effort to support the people who serve.
Sleep: a foundation for focus and resilience
One recurring observation in Bryan’s work with soldiers and elite athletes is the importance of sleep quality. When recovery improves, people may find it easier to sustain attention, manage stress, and meet the demands of the next day.
Within our neurofeedback programs, supporting sleep regulation has been an important performance goal. We consider sleep alongside brain activity, daily functioning, and the individual’s experience rather than assuming that every soldier needs the same training.
This emphasis reflects a practical lesson: readiness includes the ability to recover. Time spent training focus matters, but so does the capacity to settle down when the demands of the day are over.
What brain training involves
An EEG brain map records electrical activity and helps inform an individualized training plan. Neurofeedback uses information from that activity to provide feedback through an on-screen or audio exercise, allowing the person to practice patterns targeted by the program.
The goals can include steadier attention, improved self-regulation, and better recovery between demanding tasks. Progress is considered through follow-up measurements and changes in everyday functioning, including sleep, energy, and the ability to manage pressure.
For soldiers, the relevance extends beyond a training session. The aim is to support skills that matter when demands are high and when it is time to rest. Individual responses vary, and the training is adapted accordingly.
Part of a broader resilience effort
CSF2 was designed around a broad view of resilience that included soldiers and their families. Brain Performance Center’s contribution focused on brain optimization within that larger context.
Neurofeedback fits alongside other aspects of preparation and support: physical conditioning, sleep habits, performance coaching, relationships, and appropriate medical care. It is one part of the work of building readiness, rather than a substitute for those foundations.
Research on neurofeedback and trauma-related symptoms continues to develop. Performance training and PTSD care serve different needs; this article does not present faster PTSD recovery or routine use during active combat as established outcomes. For information about established PTSD care, visit the VA National Center for PTSD.
A physician’s perspective
“I recently retired from the military as medical director for the U.S. Army. In my opinion, the Brain Performance Center is the leading EEG brain mapping & neurofeedback program in the country”.Daniel Johnston, MD, MPHU.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel (Retired)
Served as the Pentagon’s Executive Medicine Physician
Personal testimonial provided by Daniel Johnston, shared by Brain Performance Center. His opinion is not an official U.S. Army or Department of Defense endorsement.
Supporting those who serve
The demands of military service make the relationship between focus, stress, and recovery especially clear. Those same priorities also matter to athletes, professionals, and families navigating everyday challenges.
Our work begins with the individual. By combining brain measurements with a person’s history and goals, we build a plan aimed at helping them function more effectively and recover more fully between demands.
Focus. Recovery. Resilience.
Start with your brain.
Learn about individualized brain mapping and neurofeedback at Brain Performance Center.
Schedule a consultation →The account of Bryan Hixson’s work and Department of Defense contracts is provided by Brain Performance Center. Photographs and the testimonial were supplied for this article.