Webinar Highlights Importance of Healthy Minds, Bodies

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Stock photo.
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Webinar Highlights Importance of Healthy Minds, Bodies

An upcoming Association of the U.S. Army webinar will focus on the importance of healthy minds and bodies while serving in the Army.

The webinar, part of AUSA’s Noon Report series, is titled “Strengthening the Army Profession Through Healthy Minds and Bodies.” It will feature retired Maj. Gen. Tom Solhjem, the former Army chief of chaplains, and renowned chef Daniel Thomas.

Mingus: Holistic Health, Fitness Should Be Daily Practice

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Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James Mingus speaks at AUSA 2024
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Mingus: Holistic Health, Fitness Should Be Daily Practice

The Army is working to shift its fitness culture from a biennial test and weigh-in to a daily practice in not only physical but mental and spiritual health through its Holistic Health and Fitness program, now operational in 50 brigades and working its way to 111.

Report Urges Increased Support for Military Caregivers

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Caregiver assisting wounded warrior
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Report Urges Increased Support for Military Caregivers

Military caregivers need more tailored support that reflects their needs, according to a new Rand Corp. report.

“We call [caregivers] hidden heroes,” Rajeev Ramchand, co-director of the Rand Epstein Family Veterans Policy Research Institute, said during the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s National Convening on Military Caregiving on Sept. 24. “We call them this because we truly believe that they're really the backbone of our national security, but oftentimes their service is hidden, unrecognized and undervalued.”

Baseline Cognitive Assessments Underway for Trainees

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U. S. Army Paratroopers assigned to Castle Company, 54th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade, engage a target using a M136E1 AT4-CS confined space light anti-armor weapon during a live-fire exercise at Pocek Range in Postonja, Slovenia, Dec. 6, 2022.
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Baseline Cognitive Assessments Underway for Trainees

Seeking to reduce the risk of brain injury, the Army has begun baseline cognitive assessments for soldiers entering basic training.

The Army, which is spearheading the brain health initiative within DoD, will take a multilayered approach to brain health risks, protective measures and care, according to an Army news release.

DoD Moves to Protect Troops’ Brain Health

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mortar fire
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DoD Moves to Protect Troops’ Brain Health

As part of newly established DoD guidelines to protect service members’ brain health, the military will conduct cognitive assessments for all troops in basic training and cadets prior to commissioning by Dec. 31, according to a memo from Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks.

DoD Strives to Improve Troops’ Access to Health Care

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DoD Strives to Improve Troops’ Access to Health Care

Defense Department leaders are focused on improving medical readiness and access to care in the Military Health System, the assistant secretary of defense for health affairs said.

“The [Defense Health Agency] is a new enterprise, … so we are in [a] growing stage,” Dr. Lester Martinez-Lopez said July 30 during an Association of the U.S. Army Noon Report webinar. “There are a lot of negotiations between the services and Defense Health Agency to make sure that … we're going to deliver the right care to every service member that is wounded or injured.”

Report Urges Better Oversight of DoD Food Program

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Soldiers in a caferteria food line
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Report Urges Better Oversight of DoD Food Program

DoD should have consistent nutrition labeling and improve service members’ access to healthy foods at installations, according to a report from the Government Accountability Office.

“DOD has taken steps to implement a key nutrition labeling program at its appropriated fund dining facilities, along with a range of key nutrition initiatives,” according to the report. “However, selected installations have not fully implemented the labeling program.”

AUSA Webinar Highlights Military Health Care

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Soldier getting a medical checkup
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AUSA Webinar Highlights Military Health Care

An upcoming Association of the U.S. Army webinar will focus on how the Military Health System is working to improve care for service members, families and veterans.

Army Eyes ‘Brain Exercise’ to Up Soldier Performance

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Soldiers run on treadmills as part of a study.
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Army Eyes ‘Brain Exercise’ to Up Soldier Performance

“Brain exercise” could improve soldiers’ physical well-being and help them perform better under stress or while fatigued, according to researchers at the Army Medical Research and Development Command’s Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.