A recap and video of this event is available here.
Sustained recurrence of obesity in the U.S. military poses a dire threat to operational readiness. Amidst an escalating military recruiting crisis, pre-accession weight loss programs are helping meet enlistment goals, but they do not address increasing post-enlistment obesity rates. Rapid and sustained recurrence of obesity across all services, ranks, and positions is now a dire threat to operational readiness, especially for at-risk populations and those in critical combat roles. Courtney Manning, ASP National Security Research Fellow and author of ASP’s new white paper on military obesity, “Combating Military Obesity: Stigma’s Persistent Impact on Operational Readiness,” will evaluate the role of stigma and science in combating this threat.
Courtney Manning, National Security Research Fellow, American Security Project
Courtney Manning currently leads ASP’s research on military recruitment and readiness, strategic competition with China, and emerging technology risks. Before ASP,
she worked as a geopolitical risk consultant on international human rights law, political risk, and climate security in New York. Before working in national security research, she spent seven years as a public sector nutrition consultant. She holds an M.I.A. in international security policy from Columbia University and a B.A. in international relations from the University of Denver Korbel School.
