New Troops To Receive Cognitive Tests

The Pentagon said this is just one measure to protect troops' brain health of all new service members.

Aspiring troops for the United States military will start receiving baseline cognitive tests.

The test aims to make it easier to diagnose and treat traumatic brain injuries as the troops’ careers progress.

The Pentagon said this is just one measure to protect troops’ brain health of all new service members.

Deputy Defenses Secretary Kathleen Hicks said the armed forces should also work to reduce exposure by increasing the distance between service members and weapon blasts during training exercises. She added all personnel involved in high intensity training should be wearing protective gear.

Hicks’ directive comes nine months after U.S. Army Reserve Soldier Robert Card shot and killed 18 people at a bar and bowling alley in Lewiston, Maine. 13 others were injured.

An autopsy revealed that Card had an undiagnosed traumatic brain injury which could have been responsible for the incident.