This study began in October 1982 following a request by the Assistant Surgeon General of the Army that the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences set up a committee [Committee on Military Nutrition Research (CMNR)] to advise the US Department of Defense on the need for and conduct of nutrition research and related issues. The committee's tasks are (1) to identify nutritional factors that may critically influence the physical and mental performance of military personnel under all environmental extremes; (2) to identify gaps in the existing data base concerning the relationship of diet to performance of military personnel; (3) to recommend research thrusts to fill significant gaps in the data base; (4) to recommend appropriate research strategies and methodologies to study the relationship of diet to physical and mental performance; and (5) to review and advise on current nutritional guidelines for military feeding systems.

Although the membership of the committee changes periodically, the disciplines represented have consistently included human nutrition, nutritional biochemistry, performance physiology, food science, and psychology.
 

There most recent report under the direction of the Committee on Military Nutrition Research, Mineral Requirements for Military Personnel: Levels Needed for Cognitive and Physical Performance During Garrison Training was released to the public in prepublication form on March 22, 2006.

Committee on Use of Dietary Supplements by Military Personnel