Tactical Strength and Conditioning Professional of the Year Award
The Tactical Strength and Conditioning Professional of the Year Award honors the coach, researcher, tactical professional, educator, or administrator whose influential contributions measurably advance military, law enforcement, or fire and rescue strength and conditioning.
Tactical Strength & Conditioning Professional of the Year Award Eligibility
Each nominee will be asked to fill out a criteria sheet that details career accomplishments and contributions to the tactical industry.
The criteria sheet assigns points to a variety of professional achievements, letters of recommendation, volunteer involvement with the NSCA, and other activities related to the tactical industry.
NSCA Members in good standing may nominate other NSCA Members or themselves.
Nominations are open September-January
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
| Current NSCA Member for 2 consecutive years |
| Current teacher, instructor, coach, researcher in tactical related field or member of law enforcement, firefighter, EMS, or military |
| Must have a minimum of 5-years of teaching, instructing, coaching, or preforming research directly related to tactical populations |
| Current CSCS or TSAC-F |
| Cover letter and Resume or CV |
Additional requirements listed in the General Awards Criteria, include but not limited to, the nominee must be nominated by a member in good standing and nominees will be sent a criteria sheet to fill out that must be returned with cover letter and CV/resume before the required deadline.
How Awardees are Selected for Tactical Awards
Gathering Nominations
Nominations are gathered September-January each year. Any nomination received before the established deadline will be accepted for review of eligibility. Nominees will be notified of their nomination along with a request to complete the award criteria sheet.
Eligibility Verification and Points Tally
NSCA Headquarters will verify eligibility and minimum category requirements have been met. The overall points for each nominees will be tallied, and qualified nominees will be notified.
Voting by Industry Leadership
The top three nominees based on overall points will be sent to the Tactical Award Task Force. The voting group will be determined based on the following:
1. The Task Force will be volunteers selected yearly by the Tactical Program Manager.
2. It will be apparent that the Task Force is impartial to the nominees.
3. The Task Force will be comprised of >50% non-coaching award recipients and <50% past coaching award recipients.
4. The Tactical Program Manager will certify that the policies and procedures for the nomination and awarding process were followed as outlined herein and will submit the winners’ names to the Awards and Honors Committee Chair for review and approval.
Awardee Notification
1. The Chair will notify NSCA Headquarters and the Awards and Honors Committee Chair of the selected recipient.
2. The Awards and Honors Committee Chair will notify the NSCA Board of Directors of the recipient.
3. The NSCA Headquarters will notify the recipient of the award, send regret notifications, create a Press Release announcement of the winner, and verify attendance at the National Conference awards banquet.
If there are no qualifying nominees, the award will not be given.
Award Timeline
September - nominations open
January – nominations close and nominees are contacted to submit award requirements
March – nominees are required to have all materials submitted and NSCA staff will evaluate that eligibility requirements have been met before submitting to the Committee, SIG, or Task Force.
April – Committee, SIG, or Task Force should vote and decide the winner and will submit the winners name to the National Office.
May – notifications to nominees will be sent by the National Office and press announcements will be coordinated
August – Award conferred at the Tactical Annual Training
TACTICAL STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR RECIPIENTS
Congratulations 2026 Tactical Strength and Conditioning Professional of the Year
Joel Martin, PhD, CPSS, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F,*D
Dr. Joel Martin is an Associate Professor of Kinesiology whose research focuses on improving the health, performance, and readiness of tactical athletes, including firefighters, law enforcement, and military personnel. Current studies in his lab examine how load carriage, fatigue, fitness, and other occupational stressors influence movement, cognition, performance, and injury risk. In addition to his research, Dr. Martin mentors students preparing to serve tactical populations as researchers, strength and conditioning professionals, sport scientists, and practitioners. Through applied research experiences, community partnerships, and field-based testing, he prepares students to translate scientific evidence into practical strategies that improve the safety, readiness, and long-term health of tactical professionals. In August 2026, Dr. Martin brings his tactical expertise to the kinesiology faculty at UNC Greensboro.
Read the Press Release
2025 Winner
Brandon M. Roberts, PhD, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F,*D
2024 Winner
Robert G. Lockie, PhD, TSAC-F
2023 - Guy D. Leahy, MEd, CSCS,*D
2022 - Robin M. Orr, PhD, TSAC-F,*D
2020 - Brent A. Alvar, PhD, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F, FNSCA
2019 - Tyler Christiansen, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F,*D, RSCC*D
2018 - John Hofman, MS, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F,*D
2017 - Mark Stephenson, MS, ATC, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F,*D
2016 - Mark Abel, PhD, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F, *D
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