The Army has recently implemented a new initiative to assess the cognitive abilities of new recruits during Initial Entry Training. This program is part of the Force Health Protection Information Campaign, aimed at reducing brain health risks among military personnel. The Recruit Sustainment Program, conducted at the National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt, N.J., is designed to introduce new Guard recruits to the fundamentals of the U.S. Army before they embark on Initial Entry Training or Basic Combat Training.
The Army’s approach to reducing brain health risks includes improved awareness through the Force Health Protection Information Campaign, expanded brain health monitoring, identification of blast overpressure protective measures, tracking and monitoring blast exposure, and developing a comprehensive strategy to enhance and advance the science and medical care for brain injuries. Col. Jama Vanhorne-Sealy, who oversees the Occupational Health Directive, Force Health Protection in the Office of the Surgeon General, highlighted the importance of early detection and intervention to restore or enhance cognition if necessary.
Fort Sill, Oklahoma, home of the United States Army Field Artillery School, was the first Army Initial Entry Training location to establish permanent cognitive testing. All services are scheduled to roll out the testing at all entry training locations by the end of 2024. Additionally, Army personnel will undergo cognitive evaluations at least every three years after the initial screening to identify any unusual cognitive changes that may require intervention.
Dr. Steven J. Porter, Chief of Neurocognitive Assessment in the Office of the Army Surgeon General, emphasized the shift from a pre-deployment and injury-centric model to a regular cognitive monitoring program. The Cognitive Monitoring Program serves as a screening tool to assess cognitive changes in soldiers, documenting the way individuals think, reason, and remember. This ongoing testing allows military health authorities to better assist soldiers throughout their careers.
Since June 2007, over 3.4 million cognitive assessments have been collected, processed, and stored at the Neurocognitive Assessment Branch Data Repository at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. These assessments aid in treatment and track recovery after concussive or suspected concussive events, helping to identify cognitive changes and inform a soldier’s need for medical care, rest, and recovery.
Advancements in understanding brain functionality have led to improved testing, expanding the program to evaluate areas of the brain potentially impacted by blast overpressure. Blast overpressure exposure occurs when someone is close enough to physically feel the shockwave from an explosive or firing of a weapon. The Army is working towards developing a system to directly upload test data to a soldier’s medical record for better tracking and monitoring.
In conclusion, the Army’s cognitive assessment program is a crucial component of ensuring the brain health and well-being of military personnel. By implementing regular cognitive testing and monitoring, the Army can detect and address cognitive changes early, ultimately enhancing the overall health and readiness of its soldiers.
