Our primary activities are managing the Accession Medical Standards Analysis and Research Activity (AMSARA) efforts in support of evidence-based DoD medical standards and developing collaborations to conduct epidemiologic research using unique military resources to benefit the health of our military and civilian populations.

• The quadrennial review for the medical accession standards by the Accession Medical Standards Working Group (AMSWG) was completed and led to the evidence-based publication of DoD Instruction 6130.04, Medical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction in the Military Services in April 28, 2010.
• The Accession of Recruit Motivation and Strength (ARMS) study in Army enlistees compared those who exceed weight/body fat standards but passed a physical fitness test to those who were weight/body fat qualified. No increase in attrition and minimal increase in morbidity outcomes including heat illness and musculoskeletal injury were observed.
• The 2011 AMSARA Annual Report was published with descriptive statistics of applicants and accessions for enlisted service, including attrition, medical waivers, hospitalizations, disability discharges, and existed prior to service discharges.

• Recruiting, screening, and training costs are approximately $75,000 per enlistee
• About 11% (>18,000/year) of recruits fail to complete Initial Entry Training
• About 3% leave with Existed Prior to Service (EPTS) discharge conditions
• About 30% of enlistees fail to finish first tour of duty
• The current accession screening process disqualifies many who can serve successfully:
  • Active Duty accessions have a 6% waiver rate
  • Few of those waived receive an EPTS discharge for the waived condition
• The current accession screening process fails to identify many disqualifying conditions:
  • Approximately 3% of all accessions receive an EPTS discharge