Marine Corps Veterans Association

Marine Corps Veteran Paralyzed by Shooter Hopes for Justice
By Kevin Damask

Despite surviving four deployments in Iraq, Marine Corps veteran Jimmy Friesenhahn is facing his biggest test as a civilian.

Working as a security guard at the entrance to El Patio Sports Bar in San Antonio, Texas, on May 4, 2025, Friesenhahn was shot four times by Wilmer Vladimir Ruiz-Ortega, a crazed gunman whom Friesenhahn had denied entry to the bar because he was armed.

The Marine Corps veteran nearly died and was left paralyzed. He’s spent the past nine months recuperating from his injuries, but knows a long, arduous road to recovery lies ahead.

May 4, the night that would alter his life, started out like a typical Sunday night. Friesenhahn was working the door at the bar when Ruiz-Ortega tried to enter. Friesenhahn patted him down, noticing he possessed a handgun.

After repeatedly telling Ruiz-Ortega that he could not enter the bar with a firearm, the man attempted to push past Friesenhahn. Friesenhahn initially drew his gun, but holstered it, thinking a shootout would put patrons and bar employees at risk.

A fight ensued as Friesenhahn grappled with Ruiz-Ortega to grab the gun from him.

“Once I went to the ground, he shot me in the throat and then three more shots,” Friesenhahn said. “And then I blacked out.”

A bullet-proof vest prevented shots to his chest from wounding the veteran; however, the shot Friesenhahn received to his throat led to paralysis. Initially, doctors didn’t believe he would survive the attack.

While he pulled through, the veteran faced several medical setbacks. Friesenhahn’s sister, Becky Borjan, cares for him around the clock.

“It’s scary some days,” Borjan said.

Managing appointments and Friesenhahn’s constant healthcare needs have put financial strain on the family. A GoFundMe campaign was set up to assist Friesenhahn with the goal of generating $750,000. As of Jan. 28, more than $71,000 has been raised through nearly 1,000 donations.

Searching for Answers

Family members said they are also struggling to get answers from local law enforcement on updates to Friesenhahn’s case.

“We don’t have an answer. We don’t have a court date,” Borjan said. “We don’t know anything. We don’t have an update. We haven’t heard anything from anyone.”

The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, however, disputes this claim, saying they’re meeting regularly with Friesenhahn’s family.

“The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office has had numerous conversations, including a home visit, with the family of Jimmy Friesenhahn throughout multiple stages of this case,” the DA’s office said in a statement. “Our office has provided information regarding how the criminal justice system functions, what to expect at each phase of the process, and timely notification of all judicial proceedings.

As with anyone whose loved ones are victims of a crime, Mr. Friesenhahn’s family had questions regarding next steps and possible outcomes.”

Local reporting uncovered that Ruiz-Ortega was an undocumented immigrant with a criminal record in Bexar County, Texas, that included a deferred adjudication that was later thrown out. A deferred adjudication is a process in which a defendant pleads guilty or non-contest to charges but does not receive an immediate conviction.

Ruiz-Ortega’s charges in the shooting of Friesenhahn have slowed in recent months, and the case was moved to another courtroom. No trial date has been set.

“(The family) was informed that Ruiz Ortega’s charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury carries a punishment range of 5 to 99 years in prison,” the DA’s statement reads. “While it was explained that a jury could consider probation, the State made clear it would not seek probation in this case.”

Borjan told KSAT she talked to a prosecutor and a victim’s advocate sometime last year and was informed that prosecutors were working on a plea deal with the defendant. But that’s not what Friesenhahn wants. He wants a trial and the chance to face his shooter in court. He believes it’s the best way for him to get justice.

“Him (Ruiz-Ortega) doing life behind bars because he sentenced me to this chair for life,” Friesenhahn said.

However, the Bexar County DA’s Office told KSAT it’s unlikely it will pursue a plea deal unless Friesenhahn and his family change their minds.

“On several occasions, our office was asked whether a plea agreement would be pursued. We explicitly communicated that no plea offer would be extended without first consulting with the family. Since that time, the case has been transferred to the 175th District Court, and no plea offer was made prior to or after that transfer.

Our prosecution team is diligently preparing this case for trial and is committed to holding the defendant accountable under the law and pursuing justice on behalf of Jimmy and his loved ones.”

Slow Steps to Recovery

Friesenhahn’s main goal is to be able to use his hands again and slowly regain additional movement, if possible.

Despite the tragedy, Borjan is thankful for the outpouring of support for her brother, including from Congressman Chip Roy, who represents Texas’ 21st District.

“Chip Roy’s team has been amazing,” Borjan said. “If we need something and we’re not getting a response from anyone, we contact his office, and they immediately will respond to me or my husband and help kind of navigate through the situations.”

Marines Ditch Traditional Height-Weight Method - New Test Effective Now
By Robert Billard
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The Marine Corps has dropped its long-standing height-and-weight screening process. MARADMIN 066/26, released Feb. 26, 2026, finalizes the switch to waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) as the primary screening tool. Change 1 refines the advance notification from December 2025 and applies to all Marines, active and reserve, effective Jan, 1, 2026.

The waist is measured at the navel and divided by height. Exceed the limit, and the Marine moves to body fat testing. They must pass either the multi-site tape test or bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Passing one method clears the record. Failing both places the Marine on the Body Composition Program.

The Corps set a tighter standard than the 0.55 used by some other services to maintain a leaner, more combat-effective force.

How Measurements Work

Screenings happen semiannually. Height is rounded down to the nearest half inch. The waist measurement uses a self-tensioning tape at the navel, taken twice by a same-s*x evaluator. The lower reading is selected and rounded down.

A U.S. Marine participates in a body composition assessment on Aug. 22, 2022 via bioelectrical impedance analysis scan at The Basic School on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Corporal George N**o)
Incentives for High Performers

Marines scoring 285 or higher on both the Physical Fitness Test (PFT) and Combat Fitness Test (CFT) can have up to 26 percent body fat for males and 36 percent for females. Those scoring 250 or higher receive an additional 1 percent allowance. These breaks require clean first-class scores without waivers in the current period.

Transition Details

Marines screened between January 1 and February 26 must be remeasured using the new rules. Waiver requests for operational needs are due to Training and Education Command by May 1, 2026.

Current Body Composition Program assignments get reviewed. Those who now meet the waist-to-height ratio standard have the flag removed. Pre-January assignments continue unchanged. Reserve Marines now follow the same semiannual schedule.

This update builds on the original December 2025 announcement covered by military.com.

Readiness Focus

The changes align with the Secretary of War’s guidance on service-wide fitness expectations. Excess central body fat can limit mobility and endurance under full combat load. The new system targets that issue more accurately while rewarding proven physical performance. It also supports s*x-neutral standards for combat arms Marines.

What Marines Should Do Now

Visit fitness.marines.mil for the complete waist chart, worksheets, and guidance. Focus training on PFT and CFT events to unlock the performance allowances. Commanders should ensure evaluators follow the exact measurement protocol.

The Marine Corps has replaced an outdated process with one that better matches battlefield needs. Stay lean and train hard. These standards recognize real capability in an era where physical readiness can determine mission success.

Marines Get Tougher: 2026 Brings Unified Fitness Standards
By Robert Billard

The U.S. Marine Corps is rolling out significant updates to its physical fitness and body composition requirements starting January 1, 2026. These changes aim to align standards with the physical demands of combat roles and ensure all Marines maintain peak readiness.

SecWar Guidance Sets Foundation

In a September 30, 2025, memorandum, the Secretary of War outlined new military fitness standards to enhance combat effectiveness across the armed forces. The guidance emphasizes gender-neutral requirements for combat positions and stricter overall fitness expectations. The Marine Corps is implementing these directives through MARADMIN 613/25, released December 18, 2025.

Key Changes to the Physical Fitness Test

The Physical Fitness Test (PFT) will now use s*x-neutral scoring for Marines in combat arms Primary Military Occupational Specialties. This means male and female Marines in these roles will follow the same scoring standards, based on male, age-normed guidelines from Marine Corps Order 6100.13A.

Combat arms Marines must achieve a minimum score of 210 points out of 300, representing at least 70% of the maximum. Non-combat arms Marines will continue using existing s*x- and age-normed standards.

The timing of the PFT remains unchanged. The PFT will continue being an annual requirement, administered between January 1 and June 30. Units must follow interim administrative guidance during the transition, with full system updates expected within six to eight months and complete implementation within a year.

Body Composition Standards Update

In addition to the fitness test, the height and weight standards will be updated as well. The Marine Corps will transition from current height/weight and tape test methods to a waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) approach. This change reflects guidance from the Secretary of War and aims to provide a more accurate measure of body composition.

In the interim, existing height/weight standards and tape tests will continue, with bioelectrical impedance analysis used for additional assessments when needed. Service-specific body composition standards will be published once further guidance is provided.

Waist-to-Height Ratio: An Example Overview

The waist-to-height ratio (also known as “WHtR”) is calculated by dividing waist circumference by height (both in inches). A ratio below 0.55 typically indicates low to moderate risk, while 0.55 or higher may signal higher risk, based on standards used in other military branches like the Air Force.

Here's a simplified example table for reference (note: Marine Corps-specific thresholds will be detailed in future guidance):

Ratio
• Ratio 0.5–0.54: Low to moderate risk
• Ratio ≥ 0.55: Higher risk (potential for further evaluation)
• Marines should consult official Marine Corps resources for exact implementation details as they become available.

Implications for Readiness

These updates build on the Marine Corps' long-standing commitment to physical excellence. For Marines to be able to fight America’s wars and win, they need to be fit. These changes, specifically for those in a combat arms MOS, represent the service’s demand for the utmost excellence in warfighting prowess. For more on current fitness requirements, see Military.com's guide to USMC PFT charts and Marine Corps Combat Fitness Test details.

The changes ensure the force remains adaptable and prepared for operational demands. Units are encouraged to train accordingly to support a smooth transition.

50th Marine Corps Marathon: New Record Set, Marine Major Claims Third Win
By Robert Billard

The 50th running of the Marine Corps Marathon (or MCM for short) featured winners who are no strangers to the podium. Tessa Barrett crossed the finish line at the Marine Corps War Memorial Sunday morning, clocking a course-record time of 2:34:08 to claim the women's title. The 29-year-old Arlington resident outpaced the field by nearly nine minutes, securing her second consecutive MCM victory. On the men's side, Marine Major Kyle King defended his crown (having won in 2024 and previously in 2022) with a winning time of 2:18:51, holding off a strong international contingent.

The Race

The race drew over 40,000 registered runners, making it the third-largest marathon in North America and surpassing Boston's field for the first time. Organizers reported nearly 30,000 finishers despite cloudy skies and temperatures hovering in the low 50s. Runners navigated the iconic 26.2-mile course from Rosslyn through the National Mall, past the Lincoln Memorial and Capitol, before tackling the "Beat the Bridge" challenge at mile 20 and the final uphill push to the Iwo Jima statue.

Background

Barrett's performance capped a weekend of milestones for the event, which traces its roots to a 1975 memo from Col. James L. Fowler to Maj. Gen. Michael P. Ryan. The idea: a marathon to build goodwill between the post-Vietnam Marine Corps and the public while qualifying active-duty leathernecks for Boston. The first race in 1976 drew 1,175 participants, the largest debut marathon in U.S. history at the time. By 1978, it shifted fully to active-duty management, evolving into "The People's Marathon,” the world's largest without prize money.

Over five decades, the MCM has seen Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas finish in 1980, Oprah Winfrey in 1994, and former First Lady Jill Biden in 1998. It endured a 2020 cancellation due to COVID-19, the only skip in its history, but rebounded stronger each year. This edition honored the legacy with a two-day Health and Fitness Expo at the Ga***rd National Resort, featuring bib pickups, clinics, and vendor booths. The Finish Festival in Rosslyn drew families and spectators until the afternoon, complete with live music and recovery zones.

Marine Corps officials emphasized the event's role in promoting fitness and community ties. "It’s not about elite runners dropping in for a cash prize; it’s about the military and everyday runners who make up the sport," said MCM Director Rick Nealis in a previous interview. Active-duty Marines lined the course, providing aid stations and security, while the Adopt-a-Mile program saw local groups cheer along every segment.

Marine Corps Major Kyle King, a former Winthrop University standout, credited his strategy of pacing with the lead pack for the repeat win. "The support from the crowds and Marines kept me going," he said post-race.

Barrett, training locally along the Potomac, called the record "a dream realized on home turf." Her mark eclipsed the previous women's course best by over five minutes, set in 1991.

The MCM's growth highlights positive trends in military outreach. Nearly 700,000 runners have crossed the line since 1976, with participants from all 50 states and over 50 countries. For many service members, it's a chance to qualify for majors while honoring the Corps' values of honor, courage, and commitment.

As the sun still hung high in Crystal City, volunteers tallied results and packed up. The 50th MCM proved once again why it endures: accessible, patriotic, and relentlessly inclusive.

Special Forces Veteran Whose Resume Went Viral Highlighting PTSD in Podcast
By Kevin Damask

Scott Kelly, the Army veteran whose life changed after an unexpected viral moment last November, is developing a new podcast series focused on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and veterans.

Kelly never expected to be thrust into the limelight, but that all changed when Brandon Bieron, a fellow veteran he served with, was checking out Kelly’s resume on his phone in the middle of a Jonas Brothers concert. Jen Wilson, seated behind Bieron, filmed him on her phone and posted it to TikTok with the caption, “Scott Kelly, your resume was being reviewed at a Jonas Brothers concert tonight. Good luck.”

In less than a week, Wilson’s post had more than 50-million-page views with dozens of comments supporting Kelly. The Jonas Brothers caught wind, poking a little fun at the incident and wishing Kelly good fortune in his job hunt. But Kelly had a job he enjoyed at the time and wasn’t actively looking for work.

However, the viral video led Kelly to reconnect with Bieron, who manages Reimer Home Services, a company in the Buffalo, New York area that hires veterans. Kelly invited Bieron on his podcast, “At the Water’s Edge,” which focuses on national security and geopolitics from an “insider’s perspective.”

Kelly’s resume story was picked up by national publications, including Military.com and, in a surreal twist, the Army veteran was invited on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” to talk about his newfound fame, alongside, who else? The Jonas Brothers.

Series Dives into Mental Health

Speaking with Military.com on Tuesday, Kelly said his story helped boost interest in “At the Water’s Edge,” and he’s excited to host a three-part series during PTSD Awareness Month in June. The series will explore treatment options for PTSD, including research from Emory University, where Kelly will soon receive an Executive Master of Business Administration degree.

“We’re looking at more topic areas, and one of the topic areas that we’re looking at is PTSD and evolution and treatment models for veterans, changes in the way that they get access, different approaches to using psychedelic drugs, really exploring this issue from the point of view of how do we take new treatments and mainstream them and make them available in a timely and efficient manner?” Kelly said.

Psychedelic treatment for mental health issues has been a hot topic among veterans in recent years. Research and testing into drugs such as ibogaine were accelerated last month when President Trump signed an executive order prompting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to allow more access to psychedelics.

“Emory University is also participating in that part because they do research on psychedelic drugs and PTSD treatment through the Heroic Hearts Project,” Kelly said. “Which helps veterans receive psychedelic treatments, mostly overseas. So, we’re going to look at the evolution of how the veteran community discovered psychedelics as a treatment for PTSD and then what does it actually look like?

To take this somewhat novel treatment concept and mainstream it, make it accessible, how does that sausage actually get made?”

From World War II veterans to soldiers who served multiple deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, the devastating effects of PTSD span generations.

“It’s something that is treatable, but it doesn’t go away on its own, so recognizing it and finding efficacious treatment options for it is key,” Kelly said. “And it’s certainly the case that not everyone responds to every treatment option the same way. So, trying to get it to the point where you can look at somebody and figure out what their best treatment pathway is, so they don’t have to try five things and hope one of them works.”

Kelly, who served in the Army from 2012-2022, medically retiring as a captain, said he noticed some of the misconceptions swirling around veterans and PTSD after he left the military and started a job in the corporate world.

“One, people assume that it’s much more prevalent than it is. People assume, because I was in Special Forces and I was in Afghanistan, that I probably had some sort of issues. That can color how your interactions go, especially in a corporate environment,” Kelly said. “But then also misconceptions about what that actually means for the veteran’s behavior day-to-day. Does it make them a violent person? Are they prone to lashing out? There are a bunch of well-meaning people out there who assume the worst.”

Kelly, who resides in Syracuse, N.Y., especially noticed the misconceptions when he moved to an area that doesn’t have a high veteran population.

“The military community is insular by nature. Most people in the military have family in the military. That’s how they got into it. It’s become a family business, unfortunately,” Kelly said.

But that wasn’t the case for Kelly.

“I was one of the first people in my family to join. My parents were not in the military at all. And then when I got out, I moved to an area and got involved in a career field where I was one of the very few veterans and the only veteran from the Global War on Terror who had served in Afghanistan in combat arms,” he said. “And so just walking into that environment and people introduce you as ‘Hey, this is Scott, the ‘Special Forces guy.’ The amount of misconceptions around who I was and what my background meant for my employability was drastic. A lot of it did come from a good place, but it was very poorly informed.”

Kelly said transitioning to post-military life was somewhat jarring, considering he didn’t intend to hang up his Army boots when he did. He planned to have a full career in the military until he was forced into medical retirement.

“Trying to figure out what I was going to do next and who I was going to be was challenging,” Kelly said. “That’s a challenge that most veterans share. That’s all I’ve wanted to be since I was a little kid, was a soldier.”

Dismissal Leads to New Opportunities

While seeing his resume go viral and appearing on “The Tonight Show” was certainly unexpected, what happened after Kelly’s brush with fame truly floored him.

He was fired.

JMA Wireless, his employer of almost four years, didn’t take kindly to Kelly’s interview with Fallon. Despite getting approved to take time off for the show and saying nothing disparaging about the company on air, Kelly was released after Christmas.

While the setback was deflating, Kelly didn’t waste much time pondering his next step. He founded Gray Zone Advisory, a firm that provides clients with business growth strategies, helping them anticipate and react to global events.

“One of the coolest things that I’ve realized that I don’t think a lot of veterans appreciate when they leave (the military) is that their experience makes them so valuable in environments that don’t have a lot of veterans in them,” Kelly said. “Things like geopolitical risk consulting, not necessarily something that upstate New York is known for. Not necessarily something that small and medium-sized businesses have a big budget for.

But there’s a need there, and I’m here, and there are a bunch of businesses in the area. We’ve got the border with Canada; we are close to New York City. Those impacts that you see from (global) events do hit mom-and-pop shops here in the area. And so, I was able to find this unique opportunity to serve an unmet market need, and combine my military background, my advanced degree in international relations, and now my advanced degree in business administration, and create my own company.”

Army Combat Medic Turned Lawyer Helps Veterans Fight for Benefits
By Kevin Damask

Serving as a combat medic, which included two deployments to Afghanistan, Sean Wojciechowski served among some of the best soldiers the U.S. Army had to offer.

When he left the Army after 11 years, however, Wojciechowski realized that many of the comrades he went to battle with struggled to navigate the legalities of a complex benefits system.

Bottom line – Special Operations veterans weren’t getting a fair shake despite all they’ve sacrificed serving in a combat zone.

That’s when Wojciechowski decided to become an advocate for fellow veterans. He pursued law school and is currently serving as an Equal Justice Works fellow, focusing on healthcare and veterans’ rights in Arlington, Virginia.

Wojciechowski believes it’s a call to action. He’s working to make the system fairer and more equitable.

Help in a Combat Zone

Wojciechowski comes from a long line of veterans.

His grandfather served in the Korean War, followed by his dad serving in Vietnam. His brother completed two tours in Iraq. Military life just felt natural.

“I felt a desire to serve as well. I have always enjoyed helping others and wanted to serve in a combat role,” Wojciechowski told Military.com. “When I arrived at the military entrance processing station, there was an opening for a combat medic and I knew it was the perfect job for me, as it allowed me to help others in a combat role.”

The Army veteran served from 2011 to 2022, first as a combat medic before transitioning to an occupational therapy assistant. He left the military as a staff sergeant.

Wojciechowski’s first deployment, to the Zhari district of Kandahar province, lasted nearly a year, from December 2011 to November 2012. In February 2016, he was sent back to Afghanistan, serving for several months in the Helmand province.

Through two deployments, the Army veteran had his share of ups and downs.

“The most rewarding aspect was the people. You meet so many great people from all walks of life, and the shared experiences and struggles in the military bring you together for a greater common purpose,” Wojciechowski said. “The most challenging part was leaving my unit. Most soldiers pour years of blood, sweat, and tears into a unit to make it a better organization than when they arrived. I was lucky to be in a great unit like this, and it was hard to leave my unit after so many years of service and sacrifice.”

Second Career: Veteran Legal Advocate

After the service, Wojciechowski began law school at Penn State University with plans to assist the military community from a legal standpoint.

Spending a summer as an intern for the National Veterans Legal Service Program (NVLSP) opened Wojciechowski’s eyes to the frustration many veterans face in accessing benefits.

“Often, veterans had received a less-than-favorable characterization of service because of mitigating mental health conditions contributing to misconduct, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after one or more deployments,” he said. “I found the work incredibly rewarding and, again, appreciated the opportunity to focus my efforts on helping others.”

After earning his law degree, Wojciechowski became an Equal Justice Works fellow, sponsored by the law firm Latham & Watkins, diving into research about the challenges active-duty members and Special Operations veterans deal with trying to access Department of Defense (DoD) side benefits, specifically Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC).

Success Helping Veterans

Wojciechowski enjoys the ability to connect with veterans who aren’t aware they are eligible for certain benefits.

While most veterans are well-versed in Veterans Affairs disability and compensation claims and receive help from veterans service organizations, some tend to have difficulty navigating the DoD system.

“And NVLSP is the only non-profit organization focusing on some of these benefits. CRSC is a tax-free benefit in addition to either VA disability or retirement pay,” Wojciechowski said. “To qualify for CRSC benefits, a veteran must be in a retired status, have retired pay reduced by VA disability compensation benefits, and have at least one VA disability rated at 10% that falls within a combat-related category.”

According to Wojciechowski, combat-related categories include the “armed conflict,” referring to injuries suffered from direct or indirect fire. But he said some categories don’t require service in a combat zone, like “instrumentalities of war,” encompassing injuries from vehicles, vessels, and other military service objects. Also included in this category are injuries from airborne hazards such as burn pits, making VA presumptive toxic exposures also eligible for combat-related compensation. Wojciechowski said that injuries from training exercises simulating war could also qualify.

“Most veterans I speak with have never heard of CRSC,” he said. “My platoonmate from Afghanistan was seriously wounded by an improvised explosive device (IED) in 2012 and medically retired in 2014. He had been eligible for CRSC since his medical retirement, yet he had not heard of it or received help applying for it. Through NVLSP, he obtained representation, and his CRSC application was submitted earlier this year.”

The veteran said his friend’s story exposes the necessity for outreach and education when applying for DoD benefits. Military members take an oath to defend the country, and in return, should be entitled to their rights or at least be aware of them, Wojciechowski said.

“This lack of clarity can turn valid claims into lost opportunities and deepen inequality in systems that are meant to provide support,” he said.

Special Ops Veterans Vulnerable

In the Army, where the Warrior Ethos and the Soldier’s Creed are paramount, elite, highly trained Special Operations fighters, running on adrenaline and a “no fear” attitude, might not always report their injuries while trying to successfully complete the mission.

“When they do report their injuries, they often need to rely on lay witness statements, commonly called ‘buddy statements.’ This becomes problematic when special operations service members apply for DoD benefits such as CRSC,” Wojciechowski said. “Unlike the VA, which is required to accept these buddy statements for evidence of service connecting disabilities, the CRSC boards routinely reject these statements unless they are signed by a unit commander or senior enlisted leader.”

But that can cause problems when, oftentimes, a unit leader is not present when their soldier is injured.

“CRSC boards are required to make their decisions based on the preponderance of the available documentary evidence, yet they routinely reject buddy statements that provide the best available documentary evidence,” according to Wojciechowski.

And the push to open more access to benefits shouldn’t just be a fight that lawyers and veterans take on. Wojciechowski said Congress could make lasting changes at the federal level, such as requiring CRSC boards to consider buddy statements in applications, similar to the VA’s process.

“Congress has recognized the unique role remote warfare operators play in a dynamic battlefield, yet has stopped short of extending CRSC benefits for combat-related injuries from remote service. A remote warfare operator may be forced to make difficult life-and-death decisions to safeguard U.S. service members who may face imminent danger,” Wojciechowski said. “The gravity of that decision can result in the onset of mental health conditions such as PTSD. Congress should enact legislation to require CRSC boards to grant benefits to remote operators who developed conditions such as PTSD from their involvement in remote combat operations.”