Joint Medical Command -- Do It Now

摘要

The Army is transforming into a modular expeditionary force while at war. Uniformed medical professionals are doing wonderful work of saving lives and helping rehabilitate the nation's most valuable asset: Soldiers. However, the Army's ability to do this in the future may be in jeopardy if it does not transform as swiftly as the warfighters. The U.S. military environment is swiftly moving toward joint interoperability and joint interdependability. The three service medical departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force collaborate on issues, but it is a long process centered on their specific service interests. This limited collaboration must be changed to ensure that Soldiers on future battlefields are assured lifesaving care. Presently, each service independently constructs a force to provide medical support. It is in the Army's best interest to structure its assets with the other services for interoperability and interdependence. The Joint Medical Command will reduce redundancies, conserve resources, and implement efficient collaboration among the services. This jointness has been proposed many times since World War II. The time has come to make this commitment for the future of medical health services in the Department of Defense, thereby ensuring superior medical support to the next generation of Soldiers.