b'Source: Incidence and Management of Chronic Insomnia, Active Component, U.S. Armed Forces, 2012 to 2021. MSMR. 2023 Jan 20;30(1):2-10. PMID: 36881546.of Members of the Armed Forces, which detailed howoperational and training demands, it is likely that critical adequate sleep is for optimal military function. prolongedandchronicsleepdeprivationhasthe Sleep may be the most important biological factoropposite effect on the readiness of the U.S. Armed that determines Service member health and combatForces. Impairment from sleep deprivation can be readiness, according to the report. U.S. militaryequivalent to the effects of alcohol intoxication and personnelacrosssettingstendtoself-reportsig- significantly increases the risk of physical injury.nificantly higher rates of sleep deprivation than theThe Pentagon study reviewed recent research, find-general national population. The majority of serviceing that sleep deprivation has significant effects on members report they receive less sleep than neededthephysical,cognitiveandemotionalfunctioning to perform their military duties well. needed for readiness, occupational and operational mission fulfillment in the military.Physical Injury Risk Increased The2019VAandDoDjointClinicalPractice While the report concedes that intermittent, short- Guideline for the Management of Chronic Insomnia term sleep deprivation might be a necessary cost ofDisorderandObstructiveSleepApneaoffersan Continued on Page 15 u13'