Medical and physical readiness of the U.S. Army Reserve for Noble Eagle/Enduring Freedom/Iraqi Freedom: recommendations for future mobilizations.
The U.S. Army Reserve plays an important role in the war-fighting capabilities of the U.S. military. There have been concerns, however, regarding the health and physical readiness of this force. Recently Army Reservists were mobilized for Operation Noble Eagle/Iraqi Freedom. We report on both the medical waivers requested and issues related to soldiers found medically nonavailable for deployment on data collected and analyzed from several mobilization sites. Four hundred thirty-one medical waivers were requested. Of 60,000 mobilized, approximately 2.7% were found to be medically nonavailable for deployment, predominately enlisted and male. The most common problems identified were orthopedic, psychiatric, diabetes, asthma, obstetrical-gynecological, and cardiac. The overall prevalence of medically nonavailable for deployment of Army Reservists was low. Most of the conditions leading to nondeployable troops were attributable to chronic disease. Interventions to decrease the level of medically nonavailable for deployment and to lessen mobilization site operations are being implemented.
Ruble
Paul
P
United States Army Reserve Command, Fort McPherson, GA 30330, USA.
Silverman
Michael
M
Harrell
Janie
J
Ringenberg
Lynnette
L
Fruendt
Jonathan
J
Walters
Terry
T
Christiansen
Loren
L
Llorente
Maria
M
Barnett
Scott D
SD
Scherb
Barbara
B
Lumpkin
Eddie
E
Mitchell
Deborah
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006287:Health Planning Guidelines; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007493:Iraq; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D008889:Military Personnel; D014481:United States; D014857:Warfare