New SMA- AI health monitors a Good Idea
Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Weimer
Incoming Sergeant Major of the Army sees AI-powered health monitors as path to higher readiness
Weimer highlighted a program at his old command that uses health data to help candidates going through the rigorous Army physical tests.
Sam Skove
Biometric health data and artificial intelligence may offer the Army new ways to assess soldier readiness, the service’s incoming top enlisted leader said at a press conference Wednesday.
Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Weimer previously served as the top enlisted leader at U.S. Army Special Operations Command. He assumes his duties as Sergeant Major of the Army today, taking over from outgoing Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston
“I’m a tech person, I’m a data person,” Weimer said. “We have to be informed, and that requires data coming in.”
Weimer detailed how he has participated in sleep studies and worn the Oura ring, a wearable sleep tracker.
“I did a sleep study, because sleep is important,” Weimer said. “I need to make sure I’m sleeping to be the leader that I want.”
Weimer also described how USASOC had used health monitoring technology to protect Special Operations candidates during their strenuous selection process.
The command first collected baseline data, then used that information to make decisions about candidates’ health.
“We’re seeing some anomalies on day six of training that aren’t right,” Weimer said, adding that such events triggered candidates being sent to a doctor. The technology may also be helpful in identifying cases of heat exhaustion or underlying heart conditions, he said.
There weren’t protocols already in place to monitor candidate health during selection? Right. Easy to see where this is headed. The only question is will Weimer be first in line to get chipped like a Golden Retriever?
Category: Good Idea Fairy
Well Rotsa Ruck Sarge
“We’re seeing some anomalies on day six of training that aren’t right.”
As opposed to anomalies that ARE right?
The line for microchipping formed back in 2012. He may already have one.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3252239/Micro-chipped-super-soldiers-reality-book-claims-Implants-combat-PTSD-make-military-resilient-warfare-rolled-couple-years.html
From a practical standpoint they don’t really work all that well. From an OPSEC standpoint they are just a bad idea.
Moviez didn’t like it already, too:
Tommy Thompson is the only major political figure I know of who came out pro-chip, for everyone on medicare. He was HHS secretary under Bush and Gov of Wisconsin. His presidential aspirations died when he came out pro chip.
“…and boost their prowess on the battlefield,…”
Sort of like pro football “doctors” injecting players with novocaine so the pain from their previous injuries does not prevent them from peak performance while aggravating said injuries , no doubt.
All services of all countries have turned to the science of medicine to increase the performance of their soldiers. Amphetamines were huge during WWII and the trend continued through Vietnam, not just with the US but with many countries.
Thank the Germans for that one:
Then, after a few decades, art imitates life:
Your faith that the science of medicine being used only for good by our leaders is a bit naive.
“I did a sleep study, because sleep is important,” Weimer said. “I need to make sure I’m sleeping to be the leader that I want.”
Funny, I watched a YouTube Short from MandatoryFunDay this morning, where he expresses concern over the number of accidents caused by tired troops. He goes on to order that Soldiers on 24-hour duty are not allowed to sleep, and that the Army should continue giving Soldiers plane tickets to report to schools that let them get little to no sleep prior to reporting.
We don’t need AI to tell us that military policies, especially those at certain special operations selection courses and schools, are inconsistent with what we know is a healthy amount of sleep. I’d sometimes work 0330-2130 during First 72, have CQ on Monday, “comp time” Tuesday, then Staff Duty Wednesday. So, over 100 hours of work in a six-day span, plus maybe two hours of commuting over that time. That wasn’t a SOF school or selection, where Candidates are tested for their ability to operate with very minimal sleep and food.
Soldiers have graduated from strenuous courses for decades, and there is a lot of supervision from cadre, as well as not only commanders but medical professionals, to ensure that most normally functioning people are able to withstand the conditions. Lack of sleep, lack of food, physically challenging obstacle courses or exercises, so on and so on.
The incoming SMA seems exceptionally well-qualified, but that photo makes him look smug as all get out. We also happen to have another exceptionally well-qualified Green Beret leading the Chiefs of Staff. He turned out fine, so I have high hopes for Weimer. I’m standing at parade rest as I type this…
Did you mean “We also happen to have another exceptionally well-qualified [, yet non-oath following] Green Beret leading the Chiefs of Staff”?
Because that is the way I readed it.
Exactly as intended, the sarcasm doesn’t drip as heavily in text as it does in the mind…
I won’t name names, but a certain CJCS that I’ll call Silley proves that having a long tab and decent track record earlier in your career does not negate the fact that every Army (and other Service) Senior Leader is a politician at heart, seeking to do their masters’ bidding and retire into a comfortable six-figure job as an advisor or board member somewhere.
I read it as the new SMA is on the same intellectual playing field as The Honorable Madam Vice President, if not even a step above.
“…because sleep is important…”
An uncanny similarity, indeed.
I wish someone had mentioned that importance to my superiors during my four years. I got the distinct impression that sleep was a luxury, not a necessity. I have actually fallen asleep at parade rest and also whilst “walking my post in a military manner” at right-shoulder arms, although not “keeping always on the alert…”.
Grinston apparently suggested that he apply. That, alone, damns him in my eyes.
One of the biggest lessons I got from the Army was sleep deprivation and how it felt. I was not amused by the lesson but the Army didn’t care. My “leadership” just told me to get some sleep, while adding more tasks to be accomplished than what I already had on my plate. I took care of my troops and made sure they got some rest.
Get down and give me twenty! is all the study you need.
What’s the US Army Issue AI going to do other than say “Drink Water”, “Take Motrin” and “Change your socks”?
Some of the stuff aggregates data from all wearers into “dash boards” for commanders and senior NCOs to look at. I believe, but am not sure, that they can also point out individuals not meeting whatever the thresholds are set for each data point. “Jones, you need to sleep more.”
“Well, then let me off earlier and stop moving the first formation earlier and earlier.”
“No!”
Squad Leader @1700: “Waiting on The Word.”
PSG @1800: “Go ahead and let the Joes go to chow, still waiting on The Word.”
CO @1830: “Hey, once we get everyone back, we’ll hold closeout formation.”
XO @1900: “Waiting on an ‘up’ from the Arms Room.”
1SG @1915: “Okay, men, ruck march tomorrow, 0330 First Call, 0500 step.”
PSG @1920: “Squad Leaders, I want an ‘up’ by 0315.”
Squad Leaders @1925: “Team Leaders, let me know your status by 0300.”
Team Leaders @1930: ” Be here by 0245, don’t embarrass me or the squad.”
Married PFC who lives 20 miles from post @2015: “Honey, I’m home!”
Next morning…
Married PFC @0200: “Honey, I’m headed to work, oh wait, you’re still asleep.”
Barracks Soldiers @0240: “Crap, I’ve gotta sprint.”
Everyone except the platoon and company leadership between 0245-0315: “Thumb up.”
Platoon leadership gets in by 0320, company leadership gets in around 0325.
CO @0545: “Okay, just saw an email (sent by battalion last week) that we’re behind on SHARP and EO training; the VA will be conducting class at 1000 and the EOL isn’t available until 1530. Ruck march cancelled.”
That’s like the old story of the BDE CDR, who casually puts out in a staff meeting that there is a lunar eclipse at 2 am, and to inform soldiers in case any are interested. By the time it rolls downhill there are three battalions on the ball field in full battle rattle,
Gee, sounds like you have some experience at that sort of thing.
“Sleep? We don’ need no steenkin’ sleep!”.
Eat fruit!
That began with don’t ask, don’t tell.
– Wondering how long until the SMA realizes that big Army doesn’t work like SOF sets in?
– Laughing as I recall how the NCOs in my youth would come in from a drunken night, smoke a pack and then out-perform the young ones on any physical task.
– Weeping when I see the soft physique and lack of mental toughness in the trainees that abound at my current installation.
I had two experiences with SOF senior NCOs, each very unique and both happened to be in 3ID:
The inept (but very personable) PSG I had during my brief stint in 3-15 Infantry. He scheduled the pool and pulled us Squad Leaders in to let us know our annual Combat Water Survival Test would take place during PT hours. We had to get the PL to help convince him that’s an SOF thing, not something that Leg Infantry does. He also liked to talk about how whenever called to the 1SG’s or CSM’s office he’d walk in left shoulder first to remind them he was SF and Ranger-qualified (he’d also spent time in 75th RGR). His lack of experience with conventional Infantry showed, though, and I still consider him the worst PSG I had.
The BDE CSM from CAG, who couldn’t hide his disdain for Big Army Soldiers (that come in all shapes and sizes) and set up the “Spartan Performance Triad”, an all-expense paid week at Camp Oliver for those who were overweight and/or couldn’t pass the APFT. Little to no cell phone service, a strict diet coupled with plenty of exercise, and mandatory sleep periods, all approved by Division to try to determine the issue. Fortunately for me, having been much softened by recruiting duty and staff work, I’d already “gotten my game together” after coming down on Drill orders, getting back into shape and ensuring that I was under my max weight.
I spent a little time out at Oliver but only for good training… 4 years TOG, 8 years 3ID.
I have some photos of my Dad there in the late ’50s or early ’60s. Not much has changed. 1/75th RGR was there when the Regiment was stood up, and outside of a hangar I found that a Rakkasan had left their mark when the concrete was still curing in the early ’70s.
Oliver is probably still a time capsule to when you were there, with metal bay barracks and such. It’s mostly used for EIB and other training now, and the airstrip is decaying and the poster child for FOD.
I spent four years in TOG, four years in 3ID, and then another few months in TOG before moving up to MDW.
I won’t be in a state of readiness for my nap until after I watch Gunsmoke. Seeing Miss Kitty helps give me sweet dreams.
If we spent just half the money studying problems on fixing the problems we might be able to actually…well…fix problems.
That’ll be $1.5 mil for my consulting fee. And I want real money, not artificial money. I gave you real intelligence.
If this gets transidiots out of the Army and women out of Combat Arms he will have my blessing, well, at least in part.
There is something to be said about having too much info on someone that is not pertinent in an ‘outcomes-based institution’, namely that whole pesky constitution thing and the DeeDohDee being in an ass licking contest with Big Tech (also see: OMP/Tricare/Dept o’ State’s inability to maintain accountability of PII/sensitive/classified info).
In my estimation, these sovietesque political jobbers are vying to subvert sanity to the greatest degree to ingratiate themselves to fat pensions from friendly sources (h/t S. Butler!).
Kiss my DD214’s fourth point of contact!
My DD-214 has brought much comfort over the past year, especially when it became official in December.
As for transmissions (we used to call them “trannies” but that’s hate speech now, as a former mechanic I abhor the term) and the Sisterhood of the Infantry (and other Combat Arms), I say that we let our Dear Leader and his hand-picked group of military leadership keep experimenting. Let’s start the chipping and “AI” monitoring with those who are undergoing certain surgeries
because they’re mentally illout of necessity to ensure they live prolonged and fulfilled lives. You know, because the Army suddenly cares about us as individuals. Next, we can start with those more susceptible to stress fractures and other injuries due to being a bit less physically capable than what Combat Arms MOS’ require. No misogyny here, I saw plenty of weak and brittle-boned male Soldiers and have also met some female Soldiers that could out-PT me and probably beat me in a fight.“I did a sleep study, because sleep is important”.
Fucking brilliant. I mean, fucking brilliant.
Maybe he will authorize an AI suppository to accuatley guage how much you can fuck Soldier’s before it affects / effects their performance.
This is fucking gold.
“I did a sleep study, because sleep is important”.
That sounds very much like Kamala “heels up” Harris.
Since she can’t hear how stupid she sounds, I will assume she lost her love handles.
She’s still got ‘em, she’s just deaf from those handles getting tugged. Hard.
My experience with SF soldiers us limited to the couple of guys I worked with on the trail. They were solid Drills. No complaints. Sergeant Majors though, I’ve know lots. I can only think of three that were worth anything. I imagine most lost their way chasing the next promotion instead of focusing on training the troops. Prime example given by SGMA, substitute AI for good leadership.
“…substitute AI for good leadership.”
This.
The problem with my peers is that what gets you there is not what you need to know or do.
They often do not have enough experience with Brigade or higher staff to know when the good idea fairy is in the room.
I watched one of my BDE level peers swallow a concept slide hook, line, and sinker because he had no idea that it had been tried, failed, and created disasters before.
Why? Because being a Drill, recruiter, or 1SG is simply not enough to prepare you for the stupidity of BDE, DIV, and Corps level staffs.
They are also not exactly the best suited intellectually for senior roles to begin with, so there is that as well.
We’ll just say that I had many, many arguments with my Division and Corps CSMs over their hair brained ideas–but I knew which things to do and which to just turn into another slide with no action on my trooper’s part…LOL
When I told my last Corps CSM that his cherished program for PT was never implemented in my BDE as he was retiring was the single best moment of my career.
I’m kinda thinking that the Pentagon has an infestation of “good idea fairies”. Better call Orkin.
From the infamous OIF Alphabet, Part II powerpoint:
I give him less than 6 months before he goes fully woke and starts to fuck things up.
It may not show for six months but he’s already started to fuck things up… 🙄
A suggestion of a new hat or which boots we can’t wear any more would’ve been better.
Any time a person says “I’m a tech person, I’m a data person” you can bet the farm that they are not.
No one who actually works with data says that kind of sophomoric crap.
Another senior who actually believes the shite on the slides.
I laugh at his “superior” intellect.
Or (worse) an illegitimate child of Robert McNamara who thinks “good metrics” is taking care of soldiers/families and “positive eyewash is the sign of a good unit” as only an accountant could.
Doubt this guy knows much about the rank and file.
In 12 months I foresee hundreds of commanders messaging their subordinate leaders asking why certain Soldiers aren’t currently asleep at 9pm, why their heartbeat monitors aren’t “green” in MEDPROS at 2am, and why everyone is stressed out and pissed off according to their monitors on a Sunday at 10am.
That right there is some scary ass shit.
If I were still in and forced to get chipped, (being commo) you can bet that I would find the nearest RF radiating object with a high EMF pulse to fry that little sucker. POOF!
“Well, gee, sir, I don’t know why it doesn’t work any more”
TROPO, baybeeeeee!
Nobody’s getting sleep because they have to be there 5 hours prior to SP.
Nobody’s eating healthy because the DFAC is closed. AGAIN.
Everybody’s stress level is up because they got recalled on Day 2 of a 4 day because some assclown in another BDE got a DUI.
Shall I continue?
Somehow we managed to beat the Germans and the Japanese before all of this ‘tech’ and ‘data’ and ‘metrics’. Seems like the more we track, the more we suck at our core functions