Military Mandates 5-Year CGM Pilot for Members with Metabolic Health Risks: Data Use Strictly Limited

The aptly named FORCE-FIT Act (Fostering Operational Readiness through Continuous Evaluation of Fitness with Integrated Technology Act) sets up a five-year pilot program within TRICARE that is going to use continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology on thousands of active-duty service members. Think of it as the military giving you a high-tech health tracker that you can’t say no to, provided you meet certain criteria.

The Mandatory Health Check-In

Here’s the deal: If you’re an active-duty service member who has been flagged in the military’s Individual Medical Readiness program as “Partially Medically Ready” or “Not Medically Ready,” and you also have specific metabolic risk factors—like prediabetes, Type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent), a history of gestational diabetes, or simply being overweight or obese—you must participate in this pilot. The Secretary of Defense is required to enroll you. This isn't a voluntary health perk; it’s a mandatory fitness evaluation designed to see if real-time tracking of your blood sugar can boost overall military readiness. For those already juggling medical appointments and training schedules, this adds a new layer of required health management.

Data Privacy: The Fine Print That Matters

For anyone concerned about the military tracking their health data, this bill contains a critical safeguard. The health information collected from these CGM devices can only be used for three things: running the pilot program, providing you with health care (including preventive care), or managing your status in the Individual Medical Readiness program. Crucially, the bill explicitly states that this data cannot be used to medically separate or discharge you from the Armed Forces (under Title 10, Chapter 61). This is a big win for privacy and career protection, ensuring that participation in a wellness pilot doesn't become grounds for losing your job. Furthermore, any private company providing the CGM technology must delete your health information once the authorized use is complete.

The Readiness Trade-Off and Vague Areas

While the bill protects against discharge, it does allow the data to be used for “managing your status in the Individual Medical Readiness program.” This is where things get a little squishy. What exactly does “managing your status” entail? It’s not defined. For a service member already flagged as “Not Medically Ready,” this new stream of data could lead to increased administrative scrutiny or new requirements, even if it doesn't result in a medical discharge. The intent is clearly to improve health and readiness, but the execution means mandatory, continuous monitoring for a specific group of people already under the microscope.

What Happens Next

This pilot isn't just about the service members; it also requires the military to train its medical staff on how to use the technology and interpret the data. The entire five-year program is subject to heavy oversight. The Comptroller General is required to submit two detailed reports—one by year three and a final one by year five—comparing the readiness status of participants before and after the pilot, and recommending whether the program should continue. The DOD also has to submit its own report on the program’s usefulness. In short, this is a major technological experiment aimed at optimizing the health of the force, balancing the need for readiness with the critical need for data protection.