Skip to Main Content
An official army family and MWR Site

AN OFFICIAL ARMY FAMILY AND MWR SITE

Bavaria Health Initiative - muted

A recent community health assessment for USAG Bavaria indicated several unhealthy trends, to include high alcohol use, poor nutrition, obesity and poor mental health, are negatively impacting overall community Readiness.

In response to this assessment, USAG Bavaria has developed a new program to improve the health, wellness and overall readiness of community members. The Bavaria Health Initiative (BHI) aligns existing best practices with new strategies intended to promote a healthy lifestyle culture.

The intent is to have a holistic approach to combating the negative health and wellness trends by encouraging healthy lifestyles.
 

BHI Kick Off Posters 1.jpg

 

OWNING MY OWN READINESS

The BHI 5K RUN and Wellness Fair on March 23 launched a six week “Owning My Own Readiness” program that promotes gradual involvement in regular physical activity, healthier eating patterns and good nutrition, improved sleep patterns and positive mental well-being. This self-guided reporting program tracks goals and acknowledges achievements with a certificate upon conclusion. After completing the program, submit your name to: usarmy.bavaria.imcom-fmwrc.list.bhi@mail.mil

BHI Kick Off Posters2.jpg
BEFIT FOR LIFE

The BeFit for Life program creates an active lifestyle campaign that encourages participants to take the extra steps necessary to sustain healthy habits by building upon successes of the BHI Owning My Own Readiness phase. This program provides soldiers, civilian employees and family members opportunities to build sustaining readiness throughout their tour of duty. In this phase, participants are rewarded for achieving wellness milestones (i.e. 500, 750, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500 and 5000 points) with a certificate, patch and public recognition. Units and community agencies are encouraged to host events that meet the criteria for awarding milestone points. This is a sustained operation that can be joined at any time after initial introduction.

Click here to download a Befit for Life log sheet.

POINT SYSTEM:

A. Physical Activity
1. Steps
a. 10000 = 1 point
b. 15000 = 2 points
c. 20000+ = 4 points
Max 15 points per week

2. Aerobic Exercise
a. 30 minutes = 1 point
b. 60+ minutes = 3 points
Max 15 points per week

3. Strength Training
a. 30 minutes = 1 point
b. 60+ minutes = 3 points
Max 15 points per week

4. MEDDAC-B BHI Activity bonus points
a. Exercise testing and prescription
b. Metabolic Testing and Weight Management
c. Body composition assessment
d. Health/Wellness Coaching
1 point for each appointment attended

B. Nutrition

Daily Nutrition Goals = 4 points per day if all four goals are met
2 points per day if you challenge yourself to meet goals but do not reach them fully

1. Goals
4 servings per day of fruits & vegetables
2 servings of lean protein per day (beans, nonfat dairy, chicken breast or tuna)
5-6 servings unprocessed carbohydrates (fruit, vegetables and whole grains)
Minimum 64 oz. of water

2. Negative Points
Saturated fats & added sugars = -1 point per item
Excess alcohol = -1 point

3. MEDDAC-B BHI Activity bonus points
a. Fit for performance = 1 point per session
b. Bariatric prep = 1 point per session
c. Heart healthy nutrition = 1 point per class
d. Diabetes management = 1 point per appointment
e. Individual nutrition counseling = 1 point per appointment

C. Sleep
1. 2 points if you receive 7-9 hours per night
2. 1 point if you receive under 7 hours asleep per night
3. MEDDAC- B BHI Activity bonus points (appendix B)
a. Sleep Education Class = 1 point per class

D. Mindfulness Fitness
1. 1 point for each mood logged
a. Max 7 points per week

2. MEDDAC-B BHI activity bonus points
a. Tobacco cessation = 1 point per session, Max 4 points
b. Stress management/biofeedback = 1 point for the assessment
c. General BH services = 1 point per appointment, Max 8 points

BHI CHALLENGE

Program participants can join teams for a BHI Challenge beginning July 13. This 8-week competition-based program is designed to capitalize on increased involvement in healthy habits by encouraging teams to achieve the most wellness milestone points. The top three teams will be recognized.

For more information on the BHI Challenge, click here to view the MOI.

For healthy recipe ideas, visit DECA.

 

Keep Exploring

Cosmic Bowling

Cosmic Bowling

Lights, music, strike!

Oct 23
Sundown Sends: Climbing 🧗, Boating 🛶, Archery🏹

Sundown Sends: Climbing 🧗, Boating 🛶, Archery🏹

Join the Wild B.O.A.R after work for an onsite adventure!

Oct 23 6 pm - 9 pm
🎃Archery Pumpkin Shootout🏹

🎃Archery Pumpkin Shootout🏹

Ready, aim, BOO!

Oct 24 1:30 pm - 3 pm
🍂🎃Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival

🍂🎃Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival

Get ready for a "gourd" time!

Oct 24
Enter to Win with Army ODR

Enter to Win with Army ODR

Adventure season runs June 1 – October 31, 2026—and every outing counts. Camp, paddle, hike, or jump into a new outdoor class for your chance to turn unforgettable moments into prize winning experiences.

Enter to Win with Army ODR

Adventure season runs June 1 – October 31, 2026—and every outing counts. Camp, paddle, hike, or jump into a new outdoor class for your chance to turn unforgettable moments into prize winning experiences.

Enter to Win with Army ODR
🕵️🧗Climb to the Clue Murder Mystery

🕵️🧗Climb to the Clue Murder Mystery

Get ready for a thrilling challenge!

Oct 24 6 pm
Family Bowling - TOWER BARRACKS

Family Bowling - TOWER BARRACKS

Only at the Tower Barracks location - Lane 25 Bowling Center.

Oct 25 12 pm - 4 pm

Army MWR Cares Presented by Army Directorate of Prevention, Resilience and Readiness

Stay resilient through every season with Family MWR. Discover MWR programs and services that keep you grounded and connected.

Army MWR Cares Presented by Army Directorate of Prevention, Resilience and Readiness

Army MWR Cares Presented by Army Directorate of Prevention, Resilience and Readiness

Stay resilient through every season with Family MWR. Discover MWR programs and services that keep you grounded and connected.

Army MWR Cares Presented by Army Directorate of Prevention, Resilience and Readiness
🧗Halloween Candy Climbing🍬

🧗Halloween Candy Climbing🍬

Climb, explore, and find treats!

Oct 25 2 pm
Hadestown: Teen Edition

Hadestown: Teen Edition

Where love defies the dark.

Oct 30 7 pm
Frankenstein Castle Halloween

Frankenstein Castle Halloween

The nightmare returns!

Oct 31
2026 USAG Bavaria - Halloween Invitational Boxing Championship

2026 USAG Bavaria - Halloween Invitational Boxing Championship

A spooky showdown awaits - Halloween horror comes with gloves on!

Oct 31 5 pm - 10:30 pm
Virtual Musical Theatre Audition Masterclass

Virtual Musical Theatre Audition Masterclass

Step into your next musical theatre audition with confidence - join this virtual masterclass with Carolyn Jean Brady for practical tools to refine your performance, prepare with purpose, and make every moment count.

Nov 2 6 pm - 7:30 pm
Indoor Climbing 101🧗

Indoor Climbing 101🧗

Build your climbing foundation!

Nov 3 6 pm - 8:30 pm
Sundown Sends: After-Work Climbing & Ski/Snowboard Rentals

Sundown Sends: After-Work Climbing & Ski/Snowboard Rentals

Climb higher. Connect stronger. Join the Wild B.O.A.R. community for an evening of climbing, skill-building, and fun.

Nov 6 6 pm - 9 pm
Day Ski & Snowboard Trip to Stubai, Austria

Day Ski & Snowboard Trip to Stubai, Austria

Hit the slopes of the Tirolian Alps for an unforgettable day of skiing or snowboarding at Stubai Glacier!

Nov 7
Armed Forces Entertainment Presents: Tori Kelly Live at Tower Barracks

Armed Forces Entertainment Presents: Tori Kelly Live at Tower Barracks

Save the date for an unforgettable evening of live music with Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Tori Kelly - and enter for a chance to win a Meet & Greet with Tori Kelly for you and up to four friends!

Nov 16 6:30 pm
🧗Sport Climbing 101

🧗Sport Climbing 101

Expand your climbing knowledge!

Nov 17 6 pm - 9 pm
Free Appreciation Meal!

Free Appreciation Meal!

Join us for free BBQ, karaoke, and VR games - courtesy of the Gary Sinise Foundation!

Nov 20 6:30 pm
Day Ski & Snowboard Trip to Sölden, Austria

Day Ski & Snowboard Trip to Sölden, Austria

Experience big-mountain adventure on the Sölden Glacier - 140 km of slopes, a snowboard park, and unforgettable Alpine views await!

Nov 21

Army MWR Library Virtual Author Series

Enjoy a range of talks from bestselling authors and thought leaders—right from the comfort of home. Register to watch live events, or catch up on past event recordings on-demand. Learn More.

Army MWR Library Virtual Author Series
Army MWR Library Virtual Author Series

Army MWR Library Virtual Author Series

Enjoy a range of talks from bestselling authors and thought leaders—right from the comfort of home. Register to watch live events, or catch up on past event recordings on-demand. Learn More.