Barry Loudermilk: “our Armed Forces face an ever-evolving landscape of warfare demanding servicemembers who are capable of high performance…”

“our Armed Forces face an ever-evolving landscape of warfare demanding servicemembers who are capable of high performance under extreme operational stress, yet we face a readiness crisis. Suicide rates remain high. One in four servicemembers suffer from PTSD, and over 40 percent meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder. Meanwhile, access to mental health support remains limited, especially in key military regions. Recognizing the need to address this reality is a step in the right direction, but we can and must do more to equip our military personnel to continue being the finest fighting force in the history of the world. My amendment will provide for wearable technology research that addresses these very issues by monitoring and improving stress response and cognitive performance in real time. This real-time resilience optimization for military readiness tool could track fatigue, deliver tailored solutions for the wearer, and integrate with military health systems all while keeping data secure. Adopting this amendment provides a targeted solution to the challenges we face and ensures that American warfighters remain the most prepared, most adaptable, and most resilient force on Earth. Mr. Chair, I urge Members to support this amendment.”