From Deployment to Certification: How Active Duty Members Can Become Personal Trainers with ISSA

Transitioning from active duty service to a civilian career can be daunting, but the fitness industry offers an incredible pathway for service members looking to leverage their military experiences. With discipline, leadership, and adaptability honed during service, military members are uniquely positioned to thrive as personal trainers. The International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) makes this transition seamless with military-friendly certifications.

Join us as we break down the steps active-duty members can take to earn their ISSA personal training certification and pave the way to a rewarding career in fitness.

Why Choose ISSA for Your Personal Training Certification?

ISSA offers unparalleled flexibility and support for military members, whether stationed stateside or deployed overseas. According to Weston Faulkenberry, a retired Special Operations soldier and ISSA Master Trainer, "ISSA’s programs are designed for people like us. I completed all my certifications during a six-month deployment to Ukraine. After 16-hour days of military duties, I’d spend a few hours at night working through my ISSA courses. It became an effective stress relief to focus on something I loved."

Let’s dive into how you can start your journey from deployment to certification.

Step 1: Assess Your Interests and Goals

Before diving into your ISSA course, it’s crucial to identify what excites you most about the fitness industry. Consider:

• Preferred Work Environment: Do you want to train individuals one-on-one, lead group classes, or work with specialized populations?

• Long-Term Career Goals: Are you looking to start your own fitness business, work in a gym, or coach online?

• Fitness Interests: Do you gravitate toward tactical fitness, general training, or nutrition coaching?

ISSA offers a variety of certifications—from Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) to Tactical Conditioning Specialist—to align with your career aspirations.

Step 2: Explore Military Funding Options

The cost of certifications can be a barrier, but ISSA provides several options tailored for military members. Active-duty Army personnel, for instance, can utilize the Army Credentialing Assistance Program to fully fund the CPT certification. Veterans can also apply their GI Bill benefits to the ISSA CPT course.

As Faulkenberry notes, “The financial assistance available made ISSA’s programs a no-brainer. I used my deployment savings to invest in certifications that aligned perfectly with my goals.”

Contact ISSA's Military Representatives by calling 800-747-0214 or emailing military@issaonline.com.

Step 3: Enroll in the ISSA Personal Trainer Program

The Certified Personal Trainer program is the foundational course for entering the fitness industry. Designed with flexibility in mind, this course allows active-duty members to study at their own pace. The curriculum covers:

• Exercise science and program design

• Client assessment and motivation

• Nutrition basics and injury prevention

The program’s online format means you can complete coursework anywhere, anytime - whether you’re stationed on base or deployed overseas.

Step 4: Leverage Your Military Experience

Military skills like leadership, discipline, and adaptability translate seamlessly to fitness careers. For example:

• Leadership: Motivating clients mirrors leading PT sessions.

• Problem-Solving: Modifying workouts for injuries is like adapting mission plans.

• Teamwork: Building a sense of community in group classes resembles fostering unit camaraderie.

“Your military experience isn’t just relevant; it’s your superpower in the fitness world,” says Faulkenberry. "The discipline and structure from my time in Special Ops gave me an edge when building fitness programs and working with clients."

Step 5: Complete Your Certification

During your certification journey, you’ll have access to ISSA’s robust support network, including:

• Interactive Learning Resources: Video lectures, quizzes, and practical assignments.

• 24/7 Support: Fitness Education Advisors ready to assist with any questions or challenges.

• Community Forums: Opportunities to connect with nearly 50,000 other ISSA students / grads.

Faulkenberry shares, “ISSA’s customer service exceeded my expectations. They were available every step of the way, even with the time zone differences while I was deployed.”

Step 6: Transition to Civilian Life with Confidence

Once certified, your ISSA credential becomes a gateway to multiple career paths, including but not limited to:

• Personal Trainer: Work one-on-one with clients in gyms or private settings.

• Group Fitness Instructor: Lead dynamic classes and build community through fitness.

• Tactical Conditioning Specialist: Train first responders and military personnel.

• Online Fitness Coach: Offer virtual coaching to clients worldwide.

ISSA also provides resources for starting your own business, including marketing tools, client intake forms, and step-by-step guides.

“ISSA gave me everything I needed to build my business,” says Faulkenberry. “Now, I’m not just a personal trainer; I’m an entrepreneur helping clients transform their lives.”

Step 7: Continue Serving Through Fitness

Becoming a personal trainer isn’t just about building a career—it’s about continuing your mission of service. Fitness professionals change lives by:

• Improving physical and mental well-being

• Building supportive communities

• Empowering clients to achieve their goals

As Faulkenberry puts it, “Fitness became a way for me to serve, not just my clients but their families as well. ISSA gave me the tools to make a difference.”

Ready to Begin Your Journey?

The transition from deployment to certification is simpler than you think. With ISSA’s military-friendly programs, you can turn your passion for fitness into your next meaningful career.

Take the first step today by contacting ISSA’s Military Representatives at 800-747-0214 or military@issaonline.com. Your next mission awaits.