̨Íåswag

The University of North Georgia (̨Íåswag) has become the first senior military college to equip every freshman cadet with a WHOOP wearable band — a bold step in shaping the Corps of the future. This fall, all 239 first-year cadets, along with the Ranger Challenge team and cadet rowing team members, began using the device as part of ̨Íåswag’s moonshot to elevate holistic human performance.

The initiative follows a successful spring pilot program in which cadets using WHOOP reported measurable improvements in recovery, sleep and overall performance awareness. Leaders describe the program as more than a technology rollout — it is a cultural shift.

"This is about awareness driving accountability," said retired Col. Bryan Kirk, executive director of ̨Íåswag's Institute for Peak Performance (IPP). "When cadets understand how sleep, nutrition, training, and stress affect their performance, they begin to take ownership. Leadership and purpose start from the inside, and this tool helps reinforce that truth."

The investment reflects a collaboration between the IPP and the Cadet Leadership Academy, underscoring ̨Íåswag's commitment to developing leaders of character through holistic human performance. The WHOOP platform aligns closely with the Army's Holistic Health and Fitness doctrine, which emphasizes physical, mental, nutritional, sleep, and spiritual readiness as the foundation for resilient leadership.

President Michael Shannon praised the program as an example of ̨Íåswag's "moonshot mindset."

"We're putting resources directly into the success of our cadets," Shannon said. "This investment signals how deeply ̨Íåswag values the development of leaders who are fit to serve — on the ballfield and the battlefield, in the boardroom and in life."

Cadets are already embracing the impact.

• "I'm looking forward to having data that I can track. I can see where I need to improve,” said freshman Parker Mones, a Milton, Georgia, resident who is pursuing a degree in criminal justice.
• "Being able to track our sleep and physical activity, it's an awesome privilege,” added freshman Jonathan DeCarvalho, a Norcross, Georgia, resident pursuing a degree in international affairs. "I'm glad the university trusts us enough to invest in us."

WHOOP, widely used in professional athletics and the military community, was chosen not only for its robust performance data but also for its adaptability. Its slim design allows cadets to wear it on the wrist, bicep or tucked under gear, ensuring compatibility with mission demands.

"At WHOOP, our mission is to empower individuals to unlock their highest potential," said Jeff Phelps, business development lead at WHOOP. "We're proud to partner with the University of North Georgia to support cadets and student-athletes with continuous, personalized insights on recovery, sleep and performance."

The initiative signals a defining moment in ̨Íåswag's journey to build America’s Corps: a class of cadets empowered with the tools, data and mindset to perform at their peak.

"WHOOP values and culture align with ours," Kirk said. "This is about developing disciplined, accountable leaders who understand that performance is not just physical — it's holistic."