US Armed Forces Members to Undergo Testing for Testosterone Levels

All United States military personnel aged thirty and older will be screened for testosterone deficiency as a mandatory element of their Periodic Health Assessment (PHA).

If hormonal imbalances are detected, US military personnel will be offered voluntary treatment, including testosterone replacement therapy.

This enhanced screening protocol directly supports the Department's focus on Human Performance Optimization while comprehensively addressing “Operator Syndrome,” the Department of War (DoW) said Thursday.

Originally identified among Special Forces in 2020 through collaborative research between the DoW and leading academic institutions, Operator Syndrome represents a unique convergence of health challenges that require proactive clinical intervention.

Additionally, applying lessons learned from treating Operator Syndrome across the Total Force including targeted testosterone therapy directly optimizes Warfighter readiness.

The Assistant Secretary of War for Health Affairs will ensure that testing is available across the Military Health System. An advisory council with external experts will be established to guide the DoW on Health and Human Performance Optimization.

"I am authorizing a new testosterone deficiency screening program for our military personnel to ensure you have the proper levels of this hormone to achieve maximum combat readiness. As you know, the modern battlefield is brutal and ruthless. It requires maximum psychological and mental readiness," Secretary of War Pete Hagseth wrote on X.

What is “Operator Syndrome?”

"Operator Syndrome" includes interrelated health and functional impairments including traumatic brain injury effects; endocrine dysfunction; sleep disturbance; obstructive sleep apnea; chronic joint/back pain, orthopedic problems, and headaches; substance abuse; depression and suicide; anger; worry, rumination, and stress reactivity; marital, family, and community dysfunction; problems with sexual health and intimacy; being "on guard" or hypervigilant; memory, concentration, and cognitive impairments; vestibular and vision impairments; challenges of the transition from military to civilian life; and common existential issues, according to a 2020 study in the International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine