Holistic Resilience and Transition Strategies for Tactical Military Athletes

TONY "DOC" CARLTON
Doctor of Health Science & Exercise Leadership Program PennWest Global Online Evidence-Based Portfolio
DHSc Motto
"Service evolved, empowering post-service well-being."

About Me
As a former Fleet Marine Force (FMF) Navy Corpsman with combat experience, I’ve faced the challenges of military service and the transition beyond it. Higher education and lifelong learning became my path to resilience, shaping my expertise in athletic operations, strength and conditioning, and sports nutrition. Today, I help hockey players perform at their peak on the ice and support veterans through reintegration and beyond. My journey has led me to publish multiple books, establish the Mindfully Tactical Foundation, and run a sports supplement company, all driven by my commitment to evidence-based practice and leadership. I believe in the power of mindfulness, strategic training, and resilience to create lasting success.
The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war." — Douglas MacArthur

Meta Description
This doctoral portfolio highlights Tony Carlton's applied scholarship, instructional design, and leadership at Pennsylvania Western University. Focusing on veteran reintegration, tactical performance, and resilience science, the portfolio combines three areas: (1) Teaching artifacts that showcase curricular innovations for health science and veteran students; (2) Leadership artifacts featuring nationally significant initiatives like the WELL Program and V.E.T.S. Toolkit; and (3) Scholarship artifacts, including a peer-reviewed publication in the Journal of Veterans Studies and the theoretical BRAVE Framework submitted to Military Behavioral Health. Carlton has also authored seven published books, such as The WELL Mission and Mindfully Tactical, which translate evidence-based practices into accessible strategies for high-stress professionals and transitioning veterans. Rooted in biopsychosocial theory, systems thinking, and trauma-informed pedagogy, the portfolio adopts a translational research approach with tangible impact. As a combat veteran and former Fleet Marine Force Corpsman, Carlton combines lived experience, institutional insight, and academic rigor in advancing veteran-centered education. This site provides a comprehensive showcase of faculty readiness, research ach