Army Medical Department Support to Stability Operations

Abstract

Abstract : We live in an uncertain world and military force is frequently used to shape the international environment in support of our National Security Strategy. With weak and failing states serving as havens for our adversaries, the United States has embraced a policy to support democratic movements with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny. To achieve this goal, all elements of national power are drawn upon to stem instability and thwart enemies who wage asymmetric warfare across a transnational landscape. The Army Medical Department (AMEDD), with a proud tradition of peacekeeping and humanitarian missions, is an important war-fighting weapon in its own right. As combat turns to peacemaking and nation building, the AMEDD comes into its own for solving health problems in the area of operations and for winning the hearts and minds of the local population. With the world in an increasingly precarious state, the AMEDD plays a significant role in achieving US national interests. This paper looks at the AMEDD's role in stability operations. This includes an overview of the current environment and doctrine, the AMEDD's involvement in past missions, current and future challenges, and what AMEDD initiatives may be needed to prepare for the uncertainties that lie ahead.