Physical fitness is a fundamental tool for an effective soldier to maintain vigor, alertness, and stamina in operations, and in the performance of all assigned duties in tackling insurgency and insecurity across the nation. Through a review of past studies, this paper highlights the importance of physical fitness of soldiers for combat missions, and its efficacy in ensuring their combat readiness. It also highlights the role of commanders in ensuring that soldiers adhere to standardized physical training fitness programs. This paper concludes by recommending the importance of commanders, physical instructors, tactical unit leaders, coaches, and trainers in soldiers attaining the required physical professional standards in discharging their duties during missions and combat.

The armed forces generally signify national pride, strength, valor, resilience, and power as they perform the tasks of securing land and border and protecting the citizenry from external aggressors. The attributes required for this range from patriotism, tact, discipline, and selflessness in service to the nation. However, the task also requires modernized military hardware and equipment to secure national interest, promote the rule of law, and fight insecurity, insurgency, and banditry. In a bid to address security challenges and the shortfall in the supply of basic raw materials for the manufacture of military hardware and armaments, the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) has partnered with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council for the supply of basic raw materials to meet the growing needs of the military. A survey methodology has been employed in this study to assess the role of DICON in the promotion of defense research and development. The data collected were analyzed using a decision mean of 3.00. The findings reveal that the availability of principal raw materials such as square and angle bars as well as various forms of steel to DICON is insufficient for the fabrication and production of arms and ammunition and armored personal carriers. This paper recommends the need for a change of orientation through the revitalization of steel companies, which will provide an impetus to the economy, generate job opportunities, and contribute to the nation’s gross domestic product.