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This article focuses on the local defense threat posed by German commerce raiders and warships operating in or near the Caribbean between August 1914 and May 1915, when the War Office sanctioned recruitment in the Caribbean for what would eventually become the British West Indies Regiment. We argue that in addition to institutional racism and other factors, the War Office's decision to begin recruiting Black West Indians in May 1915 should be understood within a larger strategic context, and ongoing discussions between the War Office, the Colonial Office, and the Admiralty, about the German naval threat to the British West Indies and the safety of Britain's overseas possessions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Musculoskeletal injuries (MSKIs) represent the most substantial and enduring threat to U.S. military readiness. Previous studies have focused on narrow surveillance periods, single branches of service, and used variable approaches for MSKI identification and classification. Therefore, the goals of this retrospective population study were to report the incidence, prevalence, and types of MSKIs sustained by active duty service members (ADSMs) across four Services in direct care (DC) and private sector care (PC) settings over fiscal years (FYs) 2010–2021, and to quantify and describe associated health care utilization and PC costs over the same period. Methods This study included ADSMs from the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy. Prevalence and incidence rates for Head/Neck, Upper Extremity (UE), Spine (upper back, middle back, lower back, pelvic), and Lower Extremity (LE) MSKIs in ADSMs, associated health care utilization, and PC costs were derived by querying electronic health records from DC, PC claims, and theater medical data from the Military Health System Data Repository. Patient episodes of care and associated PC costs related to MSKIs in DC and PC settings were classified into mutually exclusive outpatient encounter categories and acute inpatient stays, body regions, and Services. Results Over FY10–21, the most prevalent MSKIs were LE (24–29%) followed by Spine (17–20%), UE (14–16%), and Head/Neck (6–8%). Across FY10–21, soldiers were more likely to sustain LE MSKI than Airmen (risk ratio 1.12–1.30) and Marines demonstrated an increasing risk of LE MSKI prevalence and incidence (relative to Airmen) over the study period. The rise in prevalence of LE, Spine, UE, and Head/Neck MSKIs over FY10–21 was accompanied by increased health care utilization and reliance on PC care, especially same-day surgeries (SDS). PC reliance for SDS increased across body regions from FY10 to its peak in FY20 (Head/Neck: 22.7% to 49.7%, Spine: 37.1% to 57.0%, LE: 38.6% to 51.5%, UE: 40.4% to 53.5%). In FY21, the MHS incurred the highest PC costs for LE MSKIs ($132,242,289), followed by Spine ($98,738,863), UE ($92,118,071), and Head/Neck ($42,718,754). Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first population study of MSKIs in ADSMs spanning the ICD-10 CM transition (FY15–16) that includes the four Services. Across Services, MSKIs in the U.S. military remain a prevalent and persistent problem. Consistent with prior research, the LE was the most common and costly body region affected by MSKIs. Service members with MSKIs demonstrated an increasing reliance on PC for MSKI care, particularly SDS, over the study period. Expanding future research efforts to include all Services to assess risk factors and patient outcomes for treatments across DC and PC settings is vital to mitigate the threat posed by MSKIs to the readiness of the U.S. Armed Forces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Musculoskeletal injuries (MSKIs) represent the most common, costly, and impactful medical conditions affecting active duty service members (ADSMs) of the United States Armed Forces. Inconsistent, variable MSKI surveillance methods and often incompletely described criteria for cohort selection, injuries, incidence, and prevalence have limited efforts to observe longitudinal trends, identify gaps in care, or highlight specific military branches or sites that could benefit from enhanced MSKI intervention protocols. The purpose of this manuscript is to present a comprehensive, well-documented, and reproducible framework for capturing and categorizing MSKI burden, healthcare utilization, and private sector costs for ADSMs across a 12-year period spanning the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification transition. Methods This was a retrospective, longitudinal population study, including ADSMs from the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy. Prevalence and incidence rates for Upper Extremity, Lower Extremity, Spine, and Head/Neck MSKIs, associated health care utilization, and private sector costs were obtained by querying electronic health records from military treatment facilities, private sector care (PC) claims, and theater medical data from October 1, 2010 to September 30, 2021 (Fiscal Years 10-21), using the Military Health System Data Repository. Utilization associated with MSKIs per body region in the direct care and PC settings was classified into mutually exclusive outpatient encounter categories and acute inpatient stays. PC MSKI-associated costs were captured per year and categorized by service, body region, and setting. Conclusions MSKI surveillance research in ADSMs has been impacted by variable, often incompletely described methods. While our approach is not without limitations, our aim was to present a well-documented, reproducible methodology for MSKI investigation in military personnel. By presenting a comprehensive blueprint for capturing and categorizing MSKI care in U.S. service members, our goal is for this methodology to enhance the efforts of researchers, public health officials, and Military Health System leaders to combat MSKIs, the primary medical threat to military readiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Approximately 70% of the military personnel experience chronic sleep insufficiency, which negatively impacts military readiness and health. Military sleep health does not appear to be improving despite targeted programs to optimize sleep. The present quasi-experimental study aims to evaluate a single-session sleep intervention in United States Air Force (USAF) Technical Training. Method: A group-based Brief Sleep Intervention (BSI) was developed for the target population. Participants included 321 technical school students (Mean age = 21; 82% male; 67% White) who were assigned to the BSI (n = 203) or a control group (n = 118). Propensity-score-weighted multivariable logistic regression was employed to compare outcomes. Results: At the 2-week follow-up, students in the BSI were significantly more likely to report sleeping 6 or more hours on weekdays (OR = 1.49, p <.001) and "Good/Very Good" sleep quality (OR = 1.50, p =.032) than those in the control group. In addition, 69.2% of the students in BSI reported having engaged in the self-selected "Action Step" chosen during the intervention. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study to test a preventative sleep intervention in USAF Technical Training. Results suggest that a single-session group intervention can promote behavioral changes and improve sleep health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Knee injury and subsequent surgery are widespread in the military setting. Associations between knee surgery and expected outcomes over time have not been consolidated and characterized systematically by procedure type across the body of literature, and the temporal expectations of these outcomes remain unclear. Objective: To summarize common postoperative follow-up times and associated outcomes that determine clinical or surgical failure in US service members after elective knee surgery. Data Sources: A systematic search was conducted with 3 bibliographic databases of published research reports from 2010 through 2021. Study Selection: Studies in US military service members undergoing elective knee surgery, with a minimum of 1-year follow-up, and reporting on a functional/occupational outcome were included. Three reviewers screened all abstracts and full-text articles to determine eligibility. Study Design: Systematic review of longitudinal cohort studies. Level of Evidence: Level 2a. Data Extraction: Extracted data included military demographics, surgical procedure variables, surveillance period, and outcome measures. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach were used to determine study quality and risk of bias. Results: A total of 22 studies (mean follow-up time of 40.7 months) met the inclusion criteria. For cruciate ligament repair, approximately one-third of patients required a second surgery or were medically separated from military service by 2 years from surgery; 100% were reinjured by 4 years, and 85% sustained a new injury within 5 years of surgery. For meniscal repair, nearly one-third of patients were medically separated, and half were placed on activity restrictions within 3 years of surgery. For articular cartilage repair, within 5 years, 39% of patients required a second surgery, 30% were placed on activity restrictions, and 36% were medically separated. For patellar repair, 37% of patients were medically separated and over half were placed on activity restrictions within 5 years. Conclusion: Common knee surgeries can have long-term implications for military careers that may not become apparent with shorter follow-up periods (<2 years). When longer surveillance periods are used (eg, up to 5 years), additional surgical procedures are more common and the likelihood of being injured or medically separated from military service is higher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the formation of modern Japanese national consciousness, with a focus on the case of Ryūkyū-Okinawa. It discusses the role of the central government in shaping national consciousness, as well as the opposition and antagonism between government intentions and citizen consciousness. The article also explores the unique relationship between the center and periphery, particularly the implementation of nationally uniform legislation in Okinawa. The annexation of Okinawa into modern Japan had a significant impact on both Japan's trajectory and the unification of Okinawa, although it did not always align with the government's intentions. The article also discusses the historical background and perspectives of Yamagata Aritomo, a key figure in the government and military, who visited Okinawa and influenced government policies. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among beneficiaries of the Military Health System (MHS) is 41.6% and 30.5%, respectively. This incurs significant medical, fiscal, and military readiness costs. It is not currently known how the utilization of antiobesity medications (AOMs) within the MHS compares with that in the Veterans Health Administration or the private sector. Our aim was to assess the utilization of AOMs within the MHS. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted using data gathered from the MHS Data Repository and the inclusion of all adult TRICARE Prime and Plus beneficiaries ages 18 to 64 years who were prescribed at least one TRICARE‐approved AOM during the years 2018 to 2022. Results: The total study population included 4,414,127 beneficiaries, of whom 1,871,780 were active‐duty service members. The utilization of AOMs among the eligible population was 0.56% (0.44% among active‐duty personnel). Liraglutide was the most‐prescribed AOM (36% of the total). Female sex, age greater than or equal to 30 but less than 60 years, and enlisted or warrant officer rank were all associated with statistically significant higher odds of receiving AOMs. Conclusions: Comparable with the US private sector, the MHS significantly underutilizes AOMs, including among active‐duty service members, despite coverage of AOMs since 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When Japan attacked European and U.S. possessions in the Asia-Pacific region in December 1941, the Australian government had on order more combat-ready operational aircraft from American firms than from Australian and British industries combined. The U.S. was thus critical to the equipping and expansion of the Royal Australian Air Force. This article demonstrates that the framework of imperial defense provided a means by which the Australian government sought to secure American supply, although pressures on U.S. industry ultimately delayed the Australia air force's modernization and expansion program in 1940-1941. The war with Japan nonetheless created the potential for a more direct Australian-American relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since fall 2019, Odessa College's dual credit program has grown by 67%. Texas' initiatives, around college, career, and military readiness (CCMR), certainly provided an impetus for growth in dual credit, but this tremendous level of growth points to a number of structural changes Odessa College made to its dual credit program. The article focuses how the college created deeper, systemic partnerships between the dual credit program and the school districts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Photophobia is a common visual symptom following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), which can adversely affect the military readiness and performance of service members (SMs). We employed the Defense and Veterans Eye Injury and Vision Registry (DVEIVR) to identify and describe a cohort of SMs diagnosed with photophobia post-mTBI. The objective of this study was to characterize comorbid conditions and symptoms in an mTBI cohort with photophobia, to assess their co-occurrence, to describe the persistence of photophobia, and to assess the effectiveness of utilization of currently available International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD) codes in reporting photophobia in this cohort. Materials and Methods The DVEIVR database was searched to identify a cohort of SMs experiencing photophobia after mTBI. Photophobia and other potentially related conditions and symptoms, both coded and descriptive, which were abstracted directly from the medical records of SMs, were found within DVEIVR. The presence of the conditions and symptoms comorbid with photophobia was characterized on both patient and encounter levels. Analysis of co-occurrence of photophobia with these conditions or symptoms was performed on the encounter level using co-occur package in the statistical program R. Persistence of photophobia up to 1 year since the injury was assessed. The utilization of currently available ICD codes for photophobia was analyzed. Results A total of 639 SMs exhibiting photophobia after mTBI were identified in DVEIVR. Headaches, including migraines, were the most frequently experienced comorbidity affecting 92% of the SMs in the cohort. The second most frequent complaint was dizziness and/or vertigo (53%) followed by nausea (42%), blurry vision (31%), and irritation and discomfort in the eye (17%). In all, 20% of encounters with photophobia had a complaint of headaches, followed by 8.3% of photophobia encounters co-occurring with dizziness and vertigo, 5.7%—with nausea, 4.5%—with blurred vision, and 2.1%—with subjective sensations in the eye. All comorbidities co-occurred with photophobia at probabilities higher than by chance alone. The percentage of mTBI SMs experiencing photophobia declined to 20% at 30 days after the injury, 17% at 3 months, 12% at 6 months, and 7% at 12  months post-injury, respectively. The use of currently available ICD codes for photophobia was very low—only 27.1% of the cohort had at least 1 ICD code recorded in their medical records. Conclusions The results of this study support the idea that there is a strong relationship between photophobia and headache after an mTBI. Additional research is warranted to better understand this relationship and its causes so that clinical management improves. The results of this study show a precipitous decline in the numbers of cases of photophobia after mTBI over the first 30 days and a longer-term persistence up to a year in a minority of cases, which is consistent with other research in this field. Various ICD codes, which are currently used to code for photophobia, along with other vision conditions, were not widely used to document photophobia symptoms. It is important to adopt a dedicated ICD code for photophobia to improve the surveillance, data collection, and analysis of this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Hearing loss among military personnel is a well-known challenge, reported as the second most common VA service-connected disability. Although most hearing loss occurs gradually, a subset occurs suddenly and significantly impacts quality of life and military readiness and is considered as a medical emergency. This study aims to evaluate the incidence of sudden hearing loss among different subpopulations within the military system to better identify at-risk groups. Materials and Methods This study was a retrospective population-based study reviewing all cases of diagnosed sudden hearing loss between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2021 within active duty service members in the U.S. DoD. Statistical analysis of multiple subpopulations was performed. Results There were 2,650 cases of sudden hearing loss diagnosed in active duty service members during the study period, with an average incidence of 32.9 cases per 100,000 people per year, compared with 5 to 27 cases per 100,000 people per year reported in civilian populations. Senior officers demonstrated significantly increased rates of sudden hearing loss with 103.9 cases per 100,000 people per year, likely as a result of increased age, as did Air Force personnel with 45.1 cases per 100,000 people per year. There was no difference in incidence based on military occupational specialty, though service members located overseas were noted to have decreased incidence compared with those stationed within the USA. There was no significant difference during the years before coronavirus-19 pandemic (2016-2019) compared to the years following the start of the pandemic (2020-2021). Conclusions Sudden hearing loss appears to occur more frequently in military personnel than in the civilian population. The increased incidence in senior officers is likely driven by increased age, though further evaluation into the discrepancies between reported incidence of hearing loss among enlisted service members and officers is warranted. Although military occupational specialty did not demonstrate any significant difference in incidence, for thus far unknown reasons those in the Air Force demonstrated increased rates of sudden hearing loss. Although other potentially at-risk groups were identified, focused efforts to better understand contributing factors to elevated incidence in senior officers and Air Force personnel will help to better mitigate the incidence and effects of sudden hearing loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Military service members rely on upper body strength and power to accomplish tasks such as carrying heavy weapons and gear, rappelling, combat grappling, and marksmanship. Early identification of the factors that lead to reduced upper body strength and power would enable leadership to predict and mitigate aspects that decrease military operational readiness and increase injury risk. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between grip strength and upper body power in U.S. Infantry Marines. We hypothesized that dominant arm grip strength would show a strong positive correlation with upper body power and that the dominant arm would be more powerful than the non-dominant arm. Materials and Methods A total of 120 U.S. Marines completed 3 maximum effort isometric grip strength trials with their dominant hand and 3 maximum effort ballistic pushups on a ForceDecks force plate system. Force plate data were used to estimate pushup height and peak power. Maximum grip strength, pushup height, and peak power across the 3 trials were used for analysis. Pearson's correlation was used to test for associations between peak power, pushup height, and grip strength. Paired t -tests were used to test for differences in peak power between the dominant and non-dominant arms. Results A very weak correlation was found between grip strength and upper body power, but there was no relationship between grip strength and pushup height. Additionally, there were no significant differences in upper body power between the dominant and non-dominant arms. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that grip strength is not predictive of upper body power and cannot be used as a stand-alone measure of physical readiness in a military unit. These findings do not, however, degrade the potential of both measures to predict and inform health status and physical readiness. Future prospective research should be conducted to determine if either of these measures can be used as indicators of performance and/or injury susceptibility and if limb dominance plays a role in injury incidence within the upper extremity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Musculoskeletal (MSK) injury is an inherent risk for military personnel that can potentially impact job performance, productivity, and military readiness. Evidence is needed to show the efficacy of nonpharmacological, self-managed therapies to reduce MSK symptoms at common injury sites that are feasible for use during expeditionary operations and home stations. This systematic review and meta-analysis identified, summarized, and synthesized available evidence from randomized and non‐randomized trials on the effectiveness of self-managed, home-use therapies to improve pain, muscle strength, and physical performance in military personnel with MSK injuries, when compared to controls. Methods The electronic databases of MEDLINE ALL Ovid, Embase.com, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Clinicaltrial.gov, and CINAHL Complete via EBSCO were systematically searched for relevant reports published in English. Utilizing the Covidence platform and consistent with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, multiple reviewers, using pre-determined data fields, screened for eligibility, assessed risk of bias (RoB), and performed data extraction. Evaluation of treatment effectiveness was determined using multilevel mixed-effects meta-analysis. Results The database and register search yielded 1,643 reports that were screened for eligibility. After screening of titles/abstracts and full texts, 21 reports were identified for evidence synthesis. Of these, two reports were excluded and two described the same study, resulting in a final list of 18 studies (19 reports). For quality assessment, the overall RoB for the 18 studies was categorized as 33.3% low risk, 55.6% with some concerns, and 11.1% high risk. Across the five domains of bias, 70% of the reports were classified as low risk. This systematic review found that the differences in interventions, outcome measures, and design between the studies were associated with a substantial degree of heterogeneity (I2 = 60.74%), with a small overall improvement in outcomes of the interventions relative to their specific control (standard mean difference 0.28; 95% CI, 0.12 to 0.45). There were varying degrees of heterogeneity for individual body regions. This was due, in part, to a small number of studies per bodily location and differences in the study designs. For the neck/shoulder, heterogeneity was moderate, with the clearest positive effect being for physical performance outcomes via other medical devices. For the back, there was substantial heterogeneity between studies, with modest evidence that pain was favorably improved by other medical devices and exercise interventions. For the leg, one study showed a clear large effect for other medical devices (shockwave treatment) on pain with substantial heterogeneity. The best evidence for positive effects was for the knee, with mainly negligible heterogeneity and some benefits from bracing, electrotherapy, and exercise. Conclusion Evidence showed small beneficial effects in pain, strength, and physical performance by individual body regions for some interventions, compared to controls. The best evidence for a positive effect was for the knee. The findings suggest that some benefit may be obtained by including several treatments during deployment in austere environments and prolonged casualty care scenarios of military personnel with MSK injuries. Further research is warranted to better assess the potential benefits of using these treatments during deployments in austere environments as part of an individualized, multimodal approach for MSK injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the impact of the two-year occupation of Ukraine on Russia's military capabilities in the Arctic and analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of Russia's military capacity in this region. Using a methodology based on document analysis and SWOT analysis, the study aims to unravel the intricate interplay between the Ukraine conflict and Russia's military aspirations in the Arctic and thereby improve our understanding of the military implications of these developments. The results of the study highlight a remarkable imbalance in Russia's military capabilities in the vast Arctic region, which stretches across the western, central, and eastern sectors. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is acting as a catalyst, forcing Russia to strengthen its conventional forces and improve its military readiness in the immediate future. As a result, there is a discernible inclination to prioritize nuclear capabilities as part of Russia's strategic calculus in the Arctic region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historic recruitment and retention challenges confront the U.S. military. In an invited panel discussion at Lifestyle Medicine 2023, we argued that widespread physical inactivity is contributing to these challenges, and that Lifestyle Medicine approaches should be part of the solution. Our aim in this commentary is to recapture the most salient messages from that discussion. First, we summarize significant epidemiologic studies that describe the scope of the problem among future recruits, current service members, and Veterans. Then, in the optimistic spirit that characterizes both the armed forces and Lifestyle Medicine communities, we outline several potential solutions. By increasing physical activity during the school day, using wearable technology to monitor and prompt health behaviors, addressing the other pillars of Lifestyle Medicine (especially sleep, nutrition, and stress management), aligning efforts with current health frameworks in the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, and recruiting Lifestyle Medicine professionals, we are convinced that we can improve the health of our nation and, in so doing, strengthen military readiness and national security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the need for European countries to reassess their defense spending and capabilities in light of Russia's attack on Ukraine and changing relationships with the United States. It highlights the fact that European NATO members still rely heavily on US security guarantees and have been hesitant to provide sufficient military support to Ukraine. The article argues that meeting the NATO target of 2% of GDP for defense spending may not be enough to achieve sufficient defense capabilities in Europe, and that Europe must reduce its reliance on the US and develop stronger European defense capabilities. The article also discusses the impact of the war in Ukraine on defense spending and the need for European countries to prioritize defense in their budgets. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction Elevated rates of musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) and attrition are documented in military recruit training. By identifying and addressing modifiable risk factors, the rate of successful training completion and military readiness can be enhanced. Despite their impact, the causes of MSIs and attrition among U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) recruits remain underexplored. This study investigates demographic, psychological, and physiological predictors of MSIs and attrition among USMC recruits. Materials and Methods In this prospective cohort study, we evaluated USMC recruits at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island and San Diego. Recruits were briefed and invited to volunteer. All recruits who were medically cleared to participate in recruit training were eligible to participate in the study. We gathered baseline data on potential predictors at the start of training, with follow-up data on MSIs and attrition collected post-training. Analyzed predictors encompassed dynamic and static strength measures from countermovement jumps, isometric mid-thigh pulls; and participant surveys. We employed multiple logistic regression to discern risk factors for MSI and attrition. Results Our study comprised 584 USMC recruits (183 female recruits, 19.49 ± 1.88 years, 160.10 ± 7.17 cm, 61.19 ± 8.05 kg; 401 males, 18.94 ± 1.92 years, 172.97 ± 7.26 cm, 73.86 ± 11.04 kg). We observed 193 MSIs in 135 recruits, with 80.31% affecting the lower extremity (LE). Notably, lower relative peak power (odds ratio [OR] 0.91 [0.89, 0.94], P  < .001) and shorter eccentric deceleration duration (OR 0.99 [0.99, 1.00], P  = .005) were significant predictors of MSIs. Specifically, for LE MSIs, similar trends were noted for relative peak power and eccentric deceleration duration, with additional risks associated with lower body mass index (OR 0.93 [0.86, 0.99], P  = .036) and previous LE MSIs (OR 2.25 [1.18, 4.27], P  = .013). Attrition was more likely with a reduced eccentric deceleration impulse (OR 0.98 [0.97, 0.99], P  < .001) and prolonged time to peak force (OR 1.36 [1.17, 1.59], P  < .001) and cigarette use (OR 2.12 [1.01, 4.43], P  = .046). Conclusions MSIs and attrition during USMC recruit training significantly undermine force readiness and escalate costs. Our research has pinpointed several modifiable risk factors, chiefly reduced muscular power and cigarette smoking. We advocate for neuromuscular training programs to bolster strength and power, integrated nutrition and exercise strategies for optimal body composition, and support for smoking cessation to alleviate the incidence of MSIs and curtail attrition. Initiating training with a gradual increase in activity intensity can provide a critical window to correct pre-existing neuromuscular imbalances and weaknesses, particularly those stemming from prior MSIs. Effectively addressing these risk factors is pivotal for diminishing the rates of MSIs and attrition among recruits, thereby enhancing overall military readiness and operational efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many people have decried the rising partisanship on the U.S. Supreme Court. One particular lament concerns the Court's departure from precedent, a shift that has eroded longstanding doctrines such as the right to abortion and affirmative action in higher education. This turn of events has caused advocates, especially those on the political left, to long for the rights they once held and fear that others may be in jeopardy. Among the rights that seem vulnerable are those that protect criminal defendants. But there need not only be doom and gloom for the defense community. Advocates should identify doctrines the Supreme Court is unlikely to relegate to the dustbin. The doctrines with the best chance of survival often fall into two categories. The first category involves doctrines that align with values often held by conservative theorists. The second group contains doctrines whose fact-specific nature makes it unnecessary for the Court to eradicate the case precedent when the majority could just interpret it in a way that advances a result consistent with its agenda. Given that most criminal cases are heard well beneath the rarefied quarters of the Supreme Court, those engaged in strategic litigation should perhaps zero in on preserving what rights remain at the Supreme Court level and relying on them to foster justice in the lower courts. This Article takes a close look at one such right: the constitutional right to present a defense in a criminal trial. A half-century ago, the Supreme Court issued Chambers v. Mississippi, holding that criminal defendants enjoy a right to present a defense that may permit the admission of information otherwise barred by the rules of evidence. The Chambers majority found that the exclusion of evidence at a criminal trial that has "persuasive assurances of trustworthiness" and is "critical" to the defense violates the Due Process Clause and comprises reversible error. Case law has occasionally tethered this doctrine to the Sixth Amendment's Compulsory Process Clause, which guarantees criminal defendants the right to call witnesses in their favor. In this Article, I argue that the fact-specific structure of the right to present a defense, coupled with its historical basis and its libertarian ethos as a bulwark against government overreaching, may provide the key to its longevity in the current legal climate. Specifically, the right to present a defense may appeal to Supreme Court justices who harbor originalist and/or libertarian inclinations as well as to "realists" comfortable with a doctrine that grants judges vast discretion in charting its boundaries. Part I of the Article explores the birth of the constitutional right to present a defense and takes a deep dive into Chambers. Next, Part II analyzes the post-Chambers case law to detect trends in how judges have applied the doctrine over the past 50 years. Finally, Part III demonstrates how some features of this doctrine, while a source of periodic frustration to litigants, may help ensure that it perseveres in an era when the Supreme Court is more inclined to retract rights than to craft new ones. This presents an opportunity for progressives eager to develop favorable case law in the lower courts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Military readiness relies heavily on the physical fitness and operational capability of its personnel. This study aims to enhance the effectiveness of body composition assessment and classification protocols within the military context. A comprehensive evaluation of 4370 active-duty Chilean military personnel was conducted, focusing on anthropometric characteristics, including adipose tissue, muscle tissue, and anthropometric indices. The study observed significant differences in body composition between genders, with men exhibiting lower levels of body fat percentage (men: 26.28 %; women: 34.62 %) but higher levels of muscle mass (men: 42.0 %; women: 36.0 %;), skeletal muscle index (men:11.81; women: 9.31), and fat-free mass index (men: 19.92; women: 18.45) compared to women. High levels of muscle tissue were observed in both groups. By integrating these findings into a standardized assessment protocol, a more accurate classification of military personnel was achieved, surpassing traditional methods used in sedentary obese populations. The study advocates the future adoption of an assessment model based on artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, which consider the multifaceted nature of body composition and its impact on operational capability. Such a model would enable military forces to optimize their personnel's physical fitness and readiness, thus enhancing their effectiveness in deployment operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We develop a dynamic stochastic model of military workforce planning that incorporates uncertainties about personnel gains and losses across ranks. We then apply it to determine the probability of not meeting required targets as well as the resulting shortages and overages in the short, medium, and long terms along with the evaluation of policies to mitigate these risks. Our model allows decision makers to adjust recruiting and training practices to minimize the risk of not meeting target personnel levels as well as to value retention and reenlistment policies by calculating the expected marginal value of retaining additional service members. Moreover, it allows us to create a penalty function to optimize recruiting and training levels. The outcome is a tool to evaluate and ensure comprehensive force readiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existence of a military apparatus and militarism is of paramount importance in all states and governments. Therefore, most governments consider military forces essential for their national survival. The military readiness of any government emerging under the shadow of a powerful system is a fundamental element for national strength, stability, and the continuity of that system. Due to geographical and political circumstances, Iranian governments from the Sassanians to the end of the Alids required a strong military apparatus. The history of the Iranian army during this period reflects indicators of cultural, social, political, and military transformations, evolved in response to various challenges. The present research article seeks to illuminate the structure and armament of the Iranian army from the Sassanians to the end of the Alids. Findings indicate that due to the continuity and persistence of military methods from the Sassanian to the Islamic period, the Iranian army developed into an influential and adaptive institution during this period, playing a prominent role in military affairs and security preservation. Given the fundamental nature of the subject of this analytical-descriptive research in historical studies, the research was conducted using library sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Warfighters are often exposed to harsh environmental conditions, and experience high rates of physical and cognitive stress, fatigue, and infections, resulting in the degradation of their health and physical performance. This degradation can have a profound effect on the readiness of military forces. Wearable sensor systems can be used to monitor warfighter physiological and cognitive data, providing insight into their health status during routine military training and deployed operations; however, to enable a real‐time, tactical health and performance monitoring capability, wearable sensor systems must integrate into existing tactical military information networks without compromising network function. We extended our existing Wearables Model‐Based System Engineering – System Architecture (MBSE‐SA) to include a bandwidth simulation to analyze the effects wearable sensor systems have on overall network function specifically for military use cases. Our Wearables MBSE‐SA enabled us to model many notional and existing architectures, which represent the wide range of wearable sensor devices, communication protocols, end user devices, and tactical network nodes typically present in operational environments. By taking advantage of the existing Wearables MBSE‐SA framework and architectures, the resulting bandwidth simulation rapidly assessed several existing military network architectures for wearable sensor system integration and identified where network changes were required. Validating the flexibility of the Wearables MBSE‐SA to incorporate new analyses was critical for the military's ability to explore wearable sensor system trades and evaluate architectures in the quickly changing wearable systems technology domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Obesity rates are rising in the armed forces of Western democratic countries, impacting military readiness and health. This highlights the need for preventive health risk assessments and countermeasures. Methods Using mandatory health examination data from 2018 to 2022, we analyzed the prevalence of obesity, health risks, and associated specific military risk factors (rank and unit) in 43,214 soldiers of the German Armed Forces. Statistical methods included χ2 contingencies and binary logistic regressions. Results The prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥ 30) was 18.0%. Male soldiers (OR = 3.776) and those with an officer’s rank (OR = 1.244) had an increased chance for obesity. Serving in a combat unit reduced the chance of being obese (OR = .886). Considering BMI and waist circumference, 2.4% of the total sample faced extremely high cardiovascular and metabolic health risks, while 11.0% and 11.6% had very high or high health risks, respectively. Conclusions Our data underscore the importance of targeting obesity-related health risk factors in soldiers to ensure their well-being and deployment readiness.