The cards helped the 25th account for its soldiers and update key readiness information during the deployment from Hawaii, in less time with less support personnel than more traditional methods. It took about eight hours to register the same number of servicemembers for air transport using standard methods. In current military personnel administration systems, information is manually typed in at gaining units when servicemembers deploy or move from assignment to assignment, Romano said. This takes time. Therefore, when you arrive somewhere and they don't have your data, you present the card and the information is popped into the system.
Testing is also underway to explore the card's suitability for security and other uses.
So, if you're injured on the battlefield, this information will be provided. Currently, we have paper records. If you're unconscious and without these records, someone may not know if you're allergic to a certain drug or have a medical condition. In 1992, the Soldier Support Center led a task force which included Training and Doctrine Command Combat Developments, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, the National Guard Bureau, the Combined Arms Support Command, U.S. Army, Europe, Forces Command, Special Operations Command, and the Project Executive Officer for Standard Army Information Systems. The task force recommended the development of a Soldier Readiness Card that could be used for battlefield personnel service support functions such as readiness processing, manifesting, personnel accountability and combat medical and dental treatment documentation.