Effects of War

An unfortunate reality of war is its lasting effects on veterans through unexpected illnesses faced upon returning home. One clear example of this is the effect of the herbicide Agent Orange used by the U.S. military to clear out sections of thick vegetation and jungle in Vietnam. Agent Orange contains the dangerous chemical contaminant dioxin and has been linked to cancer, birth defects, and other diseases in generations of Vietnam War veterans.

The Gulf War caused a variety of chronic conditions including but not limited to, fatigue, joint pain, insomnia, and respiratory issues, known colloquially as “Gulf War Illness.” As conflicts change, so do the weaponry and tactics used to cause harm.

In the Global War on Terror, the use of hidden Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on a large scale led to a significant increase in amputations, physical disabilities, and brain injury. In the last 20 years, more than 450,000 United States service members were diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury.

Image of U.S. Huey helicopter spraying Agent Orange.

U.S Huey helicopter spraying Agent Orange. Image courtesy of Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr. Collection, Vietnam Center and Sam Johnson Vietnam Archive.

Image of soldier undergoing brain mapping at a Traumatic Brain Injury clinic.

Undergoing brain mapping at a Traumatic Brain Injury clinic after suffering with TBI and other injures from an IED.

Image of the scene after a vehicle born improvised explosive device exploded in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Inspecting the scene after a vehicle born improvised explosive device exploded in Kabul, Afghanistan, January 17, 2009. Image courtesy of Tech. Sgt. Brenda Nipper, International Security Assistance Force HQ Public...

Civilian Medicine

Military medicine affects more than just soldiers. Due to the necessity for swift innovation, military medicine has profoundly affected civilian medicine. The need for innovation in medical evacuation during the Vietnam War directly helped to inform specialized progress in civilian medical evacuation. The enforcement of pre-hospital care in military medicine has led to the advancement of emergency medicine, the ambulance service, and the training of EMTs that are available today. Furthermore, life-saving techniques taught in the Tactical Combat Casualty Care program have aided civilian trauma care responses to natural disasters and civilian mass casualties.

Image of Air Force Tech. Sgt. Sikinia Kemp administering the first Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at State University of New York at Old Westbury, N.Y.

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Sikinia Kemp, administers the first Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at State University of New York at Old Westbury, N.Y., Aug 5, 2021. Image courtesy of Air Force...

The Future of Military Medicine

Over the last 30 years, rapid advancements in technology, such as 3D printing and the use of drones and robotics, have paved the way for greater improvements in life-saving equipment and have largely reshaped the role of the modern medic.

While it is impossible to predict the future, we can be assured that military conflict between nations will not disappear anytime soon. To stay in front of increasingly destructive advancements in weaponry, military medicine must continue to adapt and remain focused on creative and forward-thinking ways to save lives.

Ultimately, while advancements and innovations in medicine and technology have certainly shortened the length of time needed to save lives, we cannot forget the humanity and the bravery of those at the heart of providing care for the fallen.

“Hero’s Highway,” Joint Base Balad, Iraq.

Oral History

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