The Dorjéling Armoury in the Potala According to the Fifth Dalai Lama’s gsung ’bum

Although the government established through the alliance of the Gélukpa (Dge lugs pa) and the Khoshud in 1642 took its appellation from the Ganden Palace (Dga’ ldan pho brang/Ganden Phodrang) at Drepung (’Bras spung), the symbolic seat of power of this government was the Potala, at the same time fortress, administrative centre, earthly copy of the celestial palace of Avalokiteśvara, and official residence of the Fifth Dalai Lama. Less known, however, is that the Potala also came to symbolise military readiness. It acquired this new martial function in 1667, when an armoury, called Dorjéling (Rdo rje gling), was set up at the base of the White Palace. The Fifth Dalai Lama memorialised its establishment with a poetic text, which is included in volume nineteen (ma) of his collected works. This paper examines this text, which provides information both on the contents of the armoury and on the logic employed to justify the creation of spaces dedicated to military preparedness within a palace that was fast becoming one of the most revered sites in the Tibetan sphere.

The Potential Role of Functional Motor Competence to Promote Physical Military Readiness: A Developmental Perspective

ABSTRACT Decreased physical fitness in military recruiting populations is problematic for the development of physical military readiness (PMR) and presents a threat to national security. The demonstration of low levels of fitness may be an indicator of a more foundational problem in the physical development of military recruits. We propose the development of functional motor competence (FMC) across childhood and adolescence as a necessary antecedent to advanced PMR training and military-specific tasks (i.e., rucking and obstacle course navigation) and as an integral part of sustained PMR. The development of FMC supports increases in cardiovascular and muscular endurance through repeated efforts performed during practice and in sport, as well as muscular power as many FMC movements mimic plyometrics in a strength in conditioning sense. We posit that an inadequate foundation in FMC will serve as a barrier to achieving sufficient PMR and combat success of the fighting force. We propose three possible solutions to ensure sufficient PMR levels through the implementation of developmentally appropriate FMC-based training. First would be promoting FMC-based training in junior reserve officer training corp and ROTC programs. Second would be a more global approach, on the scale of the National Defense Education Act, specifically focusing on promoting quality daily physical education that could reach millions of children. Third, individual branches could begin promoting the tenets of foundational FMC training concepts in their physical training manuals, which ideally would address FMC before and throughout basic training, as well as subsequent active duty training.

A Novel Stress Fracture Rehabilitation Program: A Pilot Study

ABSTRACT Introduction Stress fractures (SFx) of the tibia are common and limit military readiness, but there is presently no scientifically validated program that objectively fosters tibia SFx rehabilitation. Therefore, this pilot study evaluated the feasibility of a Graduated Exercise Program (GEP) based on the theory that programmed rest between exercise bouts improves the osteogenic response, which may enhance rehabilitation and military readiness. Methods Participants were randomly assigned to the GEP or standard-of-care exercise program. Both programs use a walk-jog-run progression, but the GEP splits daily exercise into morning and evening episodes and provides 5 days of programmed rest after each stage is completed. The GEP included autonomy support to foster program adherence. Outcome measures included adherence, subjective and ActiGraph-validated objective assessments of exercise duration and intensity, pain assessments, and autonomy support assessments. Participants offered suggestions for program improvement. Results Quantitative findings were mixed, but more importantly, this pilot study showed that the measurement, support, and self-reporting parameters were feasible, with high compliance by participants. Barriers to recruitment and retention were identified, along with solutions to overcome these barriers, starting with obtaining unit support for GEP participation. Conclusion This pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of a GEP with autonomy support, along with challenges and their solutions, providing the foundation for a formal large-sample study.

Menstrual Practices in Operational Military Women

ABSTRACT Introduction Women’s sex-specific health care and hygiene needs are part of military readiness for female service members and important for their leaders to ensure unit readiness. Promoting readiness that includes women’s health needs contributes to the overall strength of the military. Because women comprise over 15% of today’s military force and growing in proportion, readiness for military women has obtained increased attention in research and health practice. Menstruation is a sex-specific experience that must be part of the consideration for individual military readiness. Little research has explored the in-garrison readiness of women, particularly for women in high operations tempo settings, when considering menstruation management. The specific aim of this study was to explore how active duty U.S. Air Force women manage their menstruation while living day-to-day in a military culture. Methods A qualitatively driven mixed-method design using ethnography was conducted. Data collection included multiple sources: observations, questionnaire data, interviews, and focus groups among a group of Air Force Security Forces women. Results Data from questionnaires (n = 16) and interviews or focus groups (n = 10) were analyzed. Themes included knowledge, cop culture, and support. Comprehensive findings demonstrated that women were knowledgeable about menstruation and menstrual suppression, but did not practice it. No women in the study were suppressing menstruation. Military culture had minimal impact on menstrual practices, whereas knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs gained from family and friends was more influential on how women in this study managed menstruation. Conclusions This study was the first to use a qualitatively driven mixed-method design to explore military women’s menstrual practices in an operational setting. This study can be used in collaboration with other evidence to promote health of military women through clinical education and support in command environments. Future research should consider other operational settings where women are expected to maintain a high level of readiness.

U.S. Military Investments in Autonomy and AI: A Strategic Assessment

This brief examines how the Pentagon’s investments in autonomy and AI may affect its military capabilities and strategic interests. It proposes that DOD invest in improving its understanding of trust in human-machine teams and leverage existing AI technologies to enhance military readiness and endurance. In the long term, investments in reliable, trustworthy, and resilient AI systems are critical for ensuring sustained military, technological, and strategic advantages.

A-144 Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Sleep Disturbances in Military Service Members as Predictors of Days Missed from Duty

Objective Duty-limiting pain impacts military readiness. Conditions such as mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), stress-related disorders (Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)/PTSD), depression, anxiety and sleep disturbance occur frequently among military service members and can be associated with pain-related time off from duty. The purpose of this study was to explore which of these conditions best predict time off duty. Method Time off duty was categorized into low (0–3 days), medium (3–30 days) and high (more than 30 days). After excluding participants undergoing a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) or with potentially invalid symptom reporting, 364 military service members were included. An ordinal regression analysis was conducted with presence or absence of mTBI, ASD/PTSD, depression/anxiety and sleep disturbance as predictors. Results The regression model was significant (χ2 = 21.93, p < .001), with mTBI status and sleep disturbance emerging as significant predictors of pain-related time off duty. Those with a history of mTBI were five times more likely to miss duty days than those without mTBI (Odds Ratio (OR) = 5.09 [p = .04]). Presence of ongoing sleep disturbance conveyed two times the risk of more missed duty (OR = 2.09 [p = .04]). Conclusion This suggests that treating mTBI and sleep disturbances in military service members can reduce pain-related absenteeism and consequently improve military readiness.