Hey, what would you do to perform better in the field?

Ask yourself this question…

What would you do to be more mission-ready?

Sure, you might think about switching up your range drills, stacking more time under your plate carrier, or grabbing a new pre-workout formula (I get it—I’ve done the same).

But there’s more to peak performance than caffeine and a couple of new drills.

… and the truth is, optimizing how you perform under stress, on long shifts, or during intense training is something every tactical professional can benefit from.

That’s why we put together this quick-read email on the habits that can help boost your readiness, recovery, and overall performance in the field or under pressure:

7 Habits That’ll Improve Tactical Performance

Let’s be honest—everyone wants to perform better. On the range. During a ruck. At your next competition or while clearing a structure. You want more stamina, sharper focus, and better results.

But if the only prep you do is dry fire and downing a scoop of pre-workout 20 minutes before go-time… you’re probably leaving performance gains on the table.

The good news? It’s not as complicated as it seems. You may already be doing some of the right things—these 7 habits just help you double down and get more out of them.

Let’s break it down.

Quality Sleep

This is where real recovery happens. Whether you’re chasing fat loss, trying to build strength, or improve endurance under load—poor sleep wrecks it all.

Lack of REM sleep increases cortisol, messes with testosterone levels, and reduces your ability to recover from hard sessions—especially under kit or long-duration stress.

When your body is rested, your focus is sharper, your recovery is faster, and your ability to push through discomfort improves. If you’re not treating sleep like a non-negotiable tool in your tactical toolkit… you’re operating at a disadvantage.

Hydration

Hydration is more than just “drinking water.” If you’re doing work in hot environments, high altitudes, or under stress, you’re bleeding performance with every drop of sweat if you don’t stay ahead of it.

Try hitting at least 100–120 oz of water daily. Aim to get at least 20 oz in during the two hours before exertion—but don’t slam it all at once. Sip it. Stay even. This helps maintain electrolyte balance and prevents stomach cramps.

Hydration supports everything from proper joint function to sharp mental acuity under pressure.

Fuel Smart

If you're headed into a shift, patrol, hunt, or training day without proper fuel, you're setting yourself up to gas out early.

The fix: eat a balanced meal 1–2 hours beforehand with a complete protein source (meat, fish, eggs, or whey) and a complex carb (rice, oats, sweet potato).

This helps minimize muscle breakdown and provides steady energy without blood sugar crashes mid-mission.

If you’re training fasted early in the morning, consider a low-cal, fast-digesting supplement like Tactical Snacks protein gummies—8g of complete protein in a 50g bag that won’t weigh you down.

Strategic Supplementation

Supplements can enhance, not replace, performance prep.

Before range day, a ruck, or hitting the weights, look for supplements with:

Creatine (for strength and power)

Beta-Alanine (for endurance under high output)

Caffeine (for alertness and reaction speed)

EAAs or BCAAs (to support muscle during fasted training)

Hydrolyzed whey isolate (if you need rapid absorption with minimal stomach upset)

Good joint support supplement for mobility

These tools give your body fast-access fuel and mental clarity—especially when your energy is flagging but the work isn’t done.

Know Your Plan

Winging it is not a strategy. Whether you're running a training block, preparing for a course, or structuring your gym time—walk in with a plan.

Review your training objectives before you start. Know your reps, distances, sets, or time goals. This helps you hit performance benchmarks and minimize wasted time during training.

Warm-Up Right

You don’t start a mission cold—so don’t jump into your training cold either.

Start with 5–10 minutes of light aerobic movement (jump rope, rower, bike, ruck step-ups) followed by dynamic mobility: walking lunges, air squats, push-ups, or banded shoulder openers.

This preps your body to move safely, enhances your range of motion, and reduces the chance of tweaks or injury that can sideline you.

Recovery = Performance

You don’t get stronger or faster during training—you get stronger during recovery.

When the session ends, that’s when you need to double down on smart recovery: sleep, hydration, and post-training nutrition.

Right after high-output work, consume a fast-digesting protein (like hydrolyzed whey) plus a simple carb (like fruit or dextrose powder). This helps stop muscle breakdown and kickstarts repair.

Your recovery window is where progress is locked in—or lost.

What Now?

If you’re serious about leveling up your physical performance, these 7 habits will get you there.

Fuel smart. Sleep deep. Hydrate consistently. Prep intentionally. And give your body what it needs to recover.

Because when you’re chasing that extra edge—whether it’s on the range, under the bar, or under fire—every rep of prep counts.

Stay sharp. Stay tactical.