title: Introduction to military medicine: a brief overview.
abstract: This article provides an overview of the current organization and structure of the United States military medical forces. The five levels of care are presented. The "glue" that binds the five levels of care together -- medical evacuation -- is briefly discussed. The logistics system/structure that sustains military medical systems in remote locations is summarized. Finally, the overall command and control of in-theater combat medical assets, the initiative to establish a Joint Military Trauma Record system, and the ongoing efforts to collect real-time casualty data with the goal of enhancing combat care through improved training and early equipment fielding are described.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, 5005 N Piedras St, El Paso, TX 79920-5001, USA. stephen.hetz@amedd.army.mil
authors.forename: Stephen P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Hetz
mesh_terms: D006772:Hospitals, Military / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008887:Military Medicine; D023481:Terrorism; D014187:Transportation of Patients; D014194:Traumatology; D014218:Triage; D014481:United States