Retired U.S. Military Leaders Challenge All Americans to Participate in the Battle of the Branches Challenge

Retired U.S. Military Leaders Encourage Participation in the Battle of the Branches Challenge

In a significant call to action, retired senior leaders from the U.S. Air Force and Army are urging everyone, including family, friends, and fellow veterans, to engage in the upcoming "Battle of the Branches" virtual activity challenge hosted by HealthCode this May. This event not only promotes a healthy lifestyle but also aims to honor the resilience and dedication of those in the U.S. Armed Forces during Military Appreciation Month.

The objective of this challenge is to foster readiness and unity within the military community while raising crucial funds for three non-profit organizations: the Combat Control Foundation, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. Participants can contribute by creating fundraisers through HealthCode's FundDash platform, facilitating direct support to these vital organizations.

Retired Army Major General Tony Cucolo, who leads Professional Contract Services, Inc., expressed his enthusiasm for the event: "I challenge all businesses and organizations to outrace us in this year’s Battle. PCSI has a history of being the top organization in the Texas Capitol Region. Let’s demonstrate our commitment to fitness and philanthropy by logging our activities in competition to help our branch shine."

This initiative was born out of HealthCode's collaboration with the U.S. Air Force, utilizing virtual events to engage military personnel since 2016. Retired Brigadier General Gwyn Armfield, now Managing Director of RGA Consulting Group, reflected on the significant impact of these events. “In 2016, despite the logistical challenges of motivating our team, we participated in HealthCode’s virtual competitions. The outcome was remarkable, with over 600 Airmen from various locations participating and achieving more than 3,500 miles. This year, let’s rally together to honor all military personnel, veterans, and their families."

Signing up for the challenge is straightforward. Interested participants can visit the Battle of the Branches 2025 registration page and choose their respective military branch—Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy, or Space Force. Additionally, they can join under their employer to promote teamwork and encourage support for veteran colleagues.

Participants will categorize themselves into groups such as active duty, guard, reserve, veteran, family, or friends, and set personal activity goals for the month. As participants log their physical activities—whether running, walking, cycling, or swimming—live updates will be provided on a battle leaderboard tracking global achievements.

HealthCode’s CEO, Steve Amos, emphasized the importance of this initiative: "We’re inviting everyone to join the Battle of the Branches. Let’s acknowledge the efforts of our armed forces, veterans, and their families during Military Appreciation Month while embracing some friendly competition!"

Furthermore, organizations can show their appreciation for veteran employees by signing up at HealthCode’s wellness page. Additional details on the event can be found at HealthCode’s dedicated challenge page. Since 2014, HealthCode has successfully engaged more than 194,000 participants in various virtual activities, accumulating impressive milestones of over 20 million miles and 2.3 billion calories burned.

HealthCode, a nonprofit out of Austin, Texas, is committed to empowering individuals toward healthier lifestyles through education, physical activity promotion, and fostering community connections. To learn more about their mission and initiatives, interested parties can visit HealthCode's website.