For ongoing operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, military medical personnel are among the first to arrive and the last to leave. Sustained U.S. involvement in these operations has placed stresses on the Department of Defense's (DoD) medical personnel. As the U.S. military role in Iraq and Afghanistan changes, the Army must adapt the number and mix of medical personnel it deploys. This report evaluated the extent to which: (1) DoD has assessed its need for medical personnel in theater to support ongoing operations; (2) the Army has adapted the composition and use of medical units to provide advanced medical care; and (3) the Army fills medical personnel gaps that arise in theater. Illus. This is a print on demand report.

Nearly 1.9 million U.S. troops have been deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq since October 2001. Many service members and veterans face serious challenges in readjusting to normal life after returning home. This initial book presents findings on the most critical challenges, and lays out the blueprint for the second phase of the study to determine how best to meet the needs of returning troops and their families.

The DoD and other executive agencies increasingly deploy civilians in support of contingency operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Prior reports show that the use of deployed civilians has raised questions about the potential for differences in policies on compensation and medical benefits. This report compare agency policies and identifies any issues in policy or implementation regarding: (1) compensation; (2) medical benefits; and (3) identification and tracking of deployed civilians. Includes recommendations. Charts and tables.