My presentation concerns what we in the military medical services have termed the medical materiel program for nuclear casualties. I will briefly discuss the concepts of the program, with special emphasis on phase 1 and additional comments on phase 2. Older concepts of general war held that medical support in both manpower and resources would increase gradually and concurrently in relation to the total military manpower buildup, that the United States base would remain intact, and that medical care would be provided by or under the direct personal supervision of a military physician. The advent of thermonuclear weapons has caused a radical change. Wide-scale destruction and damage to our resources here and in our oversea commands and the imposition of a military masscasualty load which can occur with dramatic suddenness are distinct possibilities. These conditions were the basis of the recommendations of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health and Medical)