A Descriptive Summary of Active-Duty Deaths in the U.S. Navy in 1986

Abstract

Abstract : Summaries of mortality are useful in describing death within various populations; however, in the Navy, information which annually characterizes death is generally not available until several years after the fact. The objective of this study was to describe deaths among Navy personnel during 1986 by using a source that would provide the most complete information in the shortest time. Information in this report included basic demographic data such as age, sex, race, occupational specialty, and paygrade. Additional information that contributed to a broader description of death included time and place of death and the cause and circumstances associated with death. The highest crude mortality rates occurred in 23-24 years-old, males, caucasians, and E-5's. Eighty-eight percent of the 1986 deaths occurred among enlisted personnel; 26 percent of those among marine engineering, aviation maintenance, and weapons specialties. Nearly two-thirds of the deaths occurred in members who had less than 10 years' active-duty. Saturday was the most frequent day of death. One-third of the 1986 deaths occurred in the South Atlantic region and an additional 29 percent in the Pacific. Motor vehicle-related deaths were the most significant contributing cause of mortality accounting for 42 percent of the deaths.