Military medicine has a long and celebrated history. We apply lessons from our past to improve the care of military personnel and their families today and in the future. New surgical techniques, powerful painkillers, antibiotic drugs, and triage and evacuation procedures have revolutionized military medicine.
In this section, you'll find featured stories and information about the history of military medicine.
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Video
Feb. 7, 2024
American military medicine has been the cornerstone of medical accomplishments since the founding of the United States. The efforts and innovations of the military medical research community has advanced the treatments, logistics, procedures, and medications often taken for granted in today’s civilian medical settings. From emergency response to ...
Video
Feb. 5, 2024
On the battlefield and off. Yesterday and today. Women in military health have been more than doctors or nurses. They're role models. They're leaders and heroes. Here's to all that women do. The Military Health System honors women in military health.
Article
Feb. 5, 2024
U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Scott Dingle relinquished his position as the U.S. Army Surgeon General and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Medical Command to U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Mary Izaguirre in a ceremony on Jan. 25, 2024.
Article
Jan. 12, 2024
A career in the Public Health Service has taught Defense Health Agency Public Health Director U.S. Public Health Service Rear Adm. Brandon Taylor many lessons.
Article
Jan. 11, 2024
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro honored the history and community of health care professionals of Naval Support Activity Bethesda, by naming a future Bethesda-class Expeditionary Medical Ship USNS Bethesda (EMS 1), during a ceremony at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center’s National Intrepid Center of Excellence.
Photo
May 17, 2022
National Museum of Health and Medicine, Silver Spring, Maryland, visitor uses the NMHM mobile app while looking at objects from the Innovations in Military Medicine Gallery.
Video
July 3, 2018
Before his midnight ride, Paul Revere was an amateur dentist. See how his work during the Revolutionary War inspired the use of dental identification on the battlefield and beyond.
Presentation
Feb. 9, 2017
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1.77 MB
Overview of Coast Guard Health Services
Presentation
Feb. 9, 2017
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1.76 MB
Defense Health Agency Overview
Presentation
Feb. 9, 2017
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2.18 MB
Overview of Navy Medicine
Presentation
Feb. 9, 2017
.PDF |
2.31 MB
Overview of Air Force Medical Service
Presentation
Nov. 1, 2016
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1.14 MB
Defense Health Board History briefing to the Defense Health Board, Nov. 1, 2016.
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Last Updated: July 10, 2026