October 7, 2024
Dr. Dickerson co-authored a Boston Globe op-ed about cognitive assessment in governmental leaders, writing that “the Federal Aviation Agency requires commercial airline pilots to regularly undergo an assessment of cognition and lists more than 200 neuropsychologists around the country certified to administer these assessments. Air traffic controllers are also required to undergo cognitive testing. For years, the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard have required officers to undergo a battery of cognitive and personality tests for qualification and assignment. The Army now requires all personnel, including generals, to perform cognitive testing at least once every three years. A bipartisan bill introduced in 2024 would extend this to all military branches. Increasingly, people entrusted with critical responsibilities in their occupations are screened and monitored for cognitive health. Shouldn’t this apply to the person with the most critical responsibilities — the commander in chief?”