The US Navy has battled operational tempo ordeals for years. The Iran war exposed the flaws.
BLUF – The Iran war has exposed and intensified longstanding Navy problems with high operational tempo, an undersized fleet, deferred maintenance, manpower shortages and fragile logistics, with extended deployments and disrupted supply networks placing growing strain on sailors and ships. For Navy Medicine, the experience underscores that sleep deprivation, inadequate nutrition, prolonged stress and limited opportunities for recovery are warfighting readiness issues requiring medical leaders to anticipate and mitigate the cumulative physical and mental health effects of sustained combat operations.