Marketplace All-in-One Right to repair hits the battlefield
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Jul 16, 2025 Wesley Reid, a retired Master Sergeant with firsthand experience from an Afghanistan Army field hospital, passionately advocates for the military's right to repair. He shares how crucial medical equipment repairs can be hindered by bureaucratic limitations, impacting soldiers' readiness and life-saving capabilities. The discussion touches on the role of microcontrollers in diagnostics and the importance of timely repairs in combat scenarios. Reid highlights the urgent need for changes in procurement policies to ensure operational effectiveness and reduce waste in the military.
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Wesley Reid's Repair Challenge
- Wesley Reid repaired a CT scanner at a forward operating base in Afghanistan during his deployment.
- A microcontroller timed out, disabling diagnostics, and the vendor refused to support repairs without buying a new scanner.
Golden Hour Risks from Repair Delays
- Delays repairing critical equipment like CT scanners can extend casualty treatment times beyond the golden hour.
- Such delays reduce commanders' ability to clear soldiers and maintain operational strength.
Military Leadership Supports Repair Rights
- High-level military leaders support right to repair to prevent unnecessary degradation of battlefield capabilities.
- Codifying repair rights into vendor contracts is a needed next step for the military.