Soldiers undergo a cognitive assessment at the newly opened Initial Enlisted Training Cognitive Monitoring Program testing facility at Fort Moore, Georgia, Aug. 26, 2024. The testing program is designed to establish a baseline of cognitive performance, monitor brain health and provide early detection of potential cognitive changes throughout a soldier's career. (Photo by U.S. Army Photo by Patrick A. Albright) View Original
FORT MOORE, Ga. – The Maneuver Center of Excellence reached a significant milestone Monday with the opening of the Initial Enlisted Training Cognitive Monitoring Program Pilot Facility, a center dedicated to the cognitive health of Army soldiers. The facility supports the Army's proactive approach to monitoring cognitive function throughout a soldier's career, allowing for early detection of cognitive changes and timely intervention.
The dedication ceremony, which featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by military leaders, medical professionals and celebrities, emphasized the importance of this new initiative and its importance to Soldier health. Col. Jama VanHorn Seeley, Director of the U.S. Army Occupational Health Service, delivered a speech highlighting the profound impact of the program.
Col. Jama VanHorn Seely, U.S. Army Occupational Health Director, speaks during the dedication ceremony for the Initial Enlisted Training Cognitive Monitoring Program Pilot Facility, Aug. 26, 2024, at Fort Moore, Georgia. The facility will play a key role in proactively monitoring a soldier's cognitive health throughout their career. (Photo by U.S. Army Officer Patrick A. Albright) View Original
“Previously, cognitive monitoring was limited to pre-deployment and post-injury assessments,” Van Horn Seely said, “With this new facility, we are making a major step forward by providing continuous cognitive monitoring to every Soldier, helping to keep them ready and safe throughout their mission.”
Cognitive monitoring programs represent a shift from reactive measurements that focus solely on injury response to a more comprehensive approach that continually assesses brain health.
Lt. Col. John Shuprinowitz, Fort Moore Soldier Recovery Unit Battalion Commander, also addressed the audience, emphasizing the program's role in maintaining Soldiers' mental clarity and overall health.
U.S. Army Lt. Col. John Shuprinowitz, Soldier Recovery Unit, battalion commander, addressed attendees at the dedication ceremony for the Initial Enlisted Training Cognitive Monitoring Program Pilot Facility, Aug. 26, 2024, at Fort Moore, Georgia. Shuprinowitz emphasized the facility's importance in enhancing Soldiers' mental resilience and overall readiness through continuous cognitive health monitoring. (Photo by U.S. Army By Patrick A. Albright) View Original
“This facility is not just about recovery from injury, but establishing a comprehensive baseline that can detect and address cognitive changes before they become severe,” Shuprinovich said. “This preventative care model will increase Soldiers' resilience and ensure they are always prepared for future challenges.”
The program uses validated neurophysiological tools to monitor cognitive function, similar to regular hearing tests, to provide insight into a soldier's cognitive health throughout his or her career. This approach aims to prevent errors that may result from undetected cognitive problems and protect the health of the individual soldier and his or her unit.
Dr. Steven Porter, chief of the Neurocognitive Assessment Branch at the U.S. Army Public Health Service, emphasized the importance of establishing cognitive baselines for all soldiers.
“Collecting baseline data is critical because it can identify subtle changes in cognitive function that may not be evident in day-to-day performance,” says Porter. “This proactive monitoring allows us to catch issues before they become symptoms, allowing for early intervention and optimal recovery.”
The opening of the Fort Moore facility is part of a larger effort to improve cognitive health monitoring across all branches of the military. Similar testing facilities will be established at other initial training installations for both enlisted and commissioned personnel. This underscores the Department of Defense's ongoing commitment to the importance of mental health and cognitive readiness in modern military operations, given the risk of brain injury.
Col. Greg McLean, commander of the 194th Armored Brigade, who oversaw the cognitive testing at Fort Moore and cut the ribbon at the ceremony, spoke about the facility's role in improving training outcomes.
Col. Jama VanHorn Seely, Occupational Health Director, Col. Greg McLean, 194th Armored Brigade Brigade Commander, and Lt. Col. John Saprinowicz, Soldier Recovery Unit Battalion Commander, participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Initial Enlisted Training Cognitive Monitoring Program Pilot Facility at Fort Moore, Georgia, Aug. 26, 2024. The facility will play a key role in protecting the cognitive health of Soldiers by conducting regular assessments to track brain health and intervene early if needed. (Photo by U.S. Army by Patrick A. Albright) View Original
“Conducting a baseline cognitive assessment during the intake phase will ensure every soldier has a starting point of true cognitive ability before they begin training,” McLean said. “This will allow us to identify any pre-existing symptoms or changes that may result from the rigors of training and combat.”
The Fort Moore Initial Enlisted Training Cognitive Monitoring Program Testing Facility will be a key part of the Army's efforts to enhance military health protections and ensure Soldiers are prepared to meet the physical and mental demands of military service.
