26 July 2012

Health Service Support

Joint Publication 4-02
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PREFACE 

1. Scope 

This publication provides doctrine for the planning, preparation, and execution of 

health service support across the range of military operations. 

2. Purpose 

This publication has been prepared under the direction of the Chairman of the Joint 

Chiefs of Staff. It sets forth joint doctrine to govern the activities and performance of the 

Armed Forces of the United States in joint operations and provides the doctrinal basis for 

US military coordination with other US Government agencies during operations and for 

US military involvement in multinational operations. It provides military guidance for 

the exercise of authority by combatant commanders and other joint force commanders 

(JFCs) and prescribes joint doctrine for education and training. It provides military 

guidance for use by the Armed Forces in preparing their appropriate plans. It is not the 

intent of this publication to restrict the authority of the JFC from organizing the force and 

executing the mission in a manner the JFC deems most appropriate to ensure unity of 

effort in the accomplishment of the overall objective. 

3. Application 

a. Joint doctrine established in this publication applies to the Joint Staff, 

commanders of combatant commands, subunified commands, joint task forces, 

subordinate components of these commands, the Services, and combat support agencies. 

b. The guidance in this publication is authoritative; as such, this doctrine will be 

followed except when, in the judgment of the commander, exceptional circumstances 

dictate otherwise. If conflicts arise between the contents of this publication and the 

contents of Service publications, this publication will take precedence unless the 

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, normally in coordination with the other members 

of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has provided more current and specific guidance. 

Commanders of forces operating as part of a multinational (alliance or coalition) military 
Preface 

ii JP 4-02 

command should follow multinational doctrine and procedures ratified by the United 

States. For doctrine and procedures not ratified by the United States, commanders should 

evaluate and follow the multinational command’s doctrine and procedures, where 

applicable and consistent with US law, regulations, and doctrine. 

For the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: 

 WILLIAM E. GORTNEY 

 VADM, USN 

 Director, Joint Staff 
iii

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

REVISION OF JOINT PUBLICATION 4-02 

DATED 31 OCTOBER 2006 

• Adds chapter on force health protection with subordinate core functional 

capabilities.

• Includes time sensitive en route care as part of overarching joint medical capability 

for health service support.

• Clarifies United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) policy for 

patient movement of contaminated, contagious, or potentially exposed casualties. 

• Acknowledges the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command role as the 

Department of Defense lead agent for aeromedical evacuation policy, training, and 

standardization of procedures.

• Assigns theater patient movement requirements center processes and 

responsibilities to USTRANSCOM Surgeon’s Office.

• Clarifies Special Operations Forces Operational Medicine mission and 

responsibilities.

• Creates four levels of identification for chemical, biological, radiological, and 

nuclear hazards; presumptive, field confirmatory, theater validation, and 

definitive.

• Eliminates the use of the Joint Medical Analysis Tool as the approved asset for 

calculating medical requirements.

• Updates references and acronyms. 
Summary of Changes 

iv JP 4-02 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

PAGE 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................... ix 

CHAPTER I 

HEALTH SUPPORT TO JOINT OPERATIONS OVERVIEW 

 Introduction ................................................................................................................ I-1 

 Military Health System .............................................................................................. I-1 

 Principles of Health Service Support ......................................................................... I-1 

 Joint Medical Capabilities ......................................................................................... I-3 

CHAPTER II 

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

 Command and Control ..............................................................................................II-1 

 Joint Force Surgeon’s Office ....................................................................................II-1 

 Organizing the Joint Force Surgeon’s Office ...........................................................II-9 

 Joint Force Surgeon’s Office Battle Rhythm ..........................................................II-23 

 Staff Organizations .................................................................................................II-25 

 Joint Force Surgeon Reachback ..............................................................................II-32 

CHAPTER III 

HEALTH SERVICE SUPPORT 

 Casualty Management ............................................................................................ III-1 

 Patient Movement ................................................................................................... III-3 

 Medical Logistics .................................................................................................... III-4 

 Health Information Management ............................................................................ III-6 

CHAPTER IV 

FORCE HEALTH PROTECTION 

 Casualty Prevention ................................................................................................ IV-1 

 Preventive Medicine ............................................................................................... IV-1 

 Health Surveillance ................................................................................................. IV-2 

 Combat and Operational Stress Control ................................................................. IV-2 

 Preventive Dentistry ............................................................................................... IV-3 

 Vision Readiness .................................................................................................... IV-3 

 Laboratory Services ................................................................................................ IV-5 

 Veterinary Services ................................................................................................. IV-5 

 
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CHAPTER V 

HEALTH SERVICE SUPPORT OPERATIONS 

 Combat Operations .................................................................................................. V-1 

 Stability and Civil-Military Operations ................................................................... V-1 

 Limited Contingencies and Crisis Response ........................................................... V-7 

 Defense Support of Civil Authorities ...................................................................... V-7 

 Special Operations Forces ....................................................................................... V-8 

 Multinational Operations ....................................................................................... V-11 

 Detainee Operations ............................................................................................... V-16 

 Operations in a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Environment .. V-19 

 Contractor Support ................................................................................................. V-21 

CHAPTER VI 

JOINT HEALTH PLANNING 

 Introduction ............................................................................................................. VI-1

 Health Support Planning Considerations ................................................................ VI-1 

 Planning Joint Medical Logistics .......................................................................... VI-11 

 Systems and Planning Tools ................................................................................. VI-12 

APPENDIX 

A Hospitalization .......................................................................................... A-1 

B Patient Movement ......................................................................................B-1 

C Service Component Transportation Assets ................................................C-1 

D Medical Logistics Support ........................................................................ D-1 

E Blood Management .................................................................................... E-1 

F Intelligence Support to Joint Health Support ............................................. F-1 

G Casualty Prevention ................................................................................... G-1 

H Patient Area Reception .............................................................................. H-1 

J Medical Aspects of Reintegration ............................................................... J-1 

K Impacts of the Law of War and Medical Ethics ........................................ K-1 

L Planning Checklists .................................................................................... L-1 

M References ................................................................................................. M-1 

N Administrative Instructions ....................................................................... N-1 

GLOSSARY 

Part I Abbreviations and Acronyms .................................................................. GL-1 

Part II Terms and Definitions ............................................................................. GL-5 

FIGURES 

II-1 Notional Joint Force Surgeon’s Office Organization ...............................II-11 

II-2 Sample Joint Force Surgeon’s Office Battle Rhythm ..............................II-24 

III-1 Primary Tasks and Purposes of the Medical Logistics Function ............. III-5 
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IV-1 Primary Tasks and Purposes of the Combat and 

Operational Stress Control Function ........................................................ IV-4 

IV-2 Primary Tasks and Purposes of the Laboratory Services Function .......... IV-5 

V-1 Health Service Assessment Factors ........................................................... V-6 

V-2 Challenges of Patient Movement During Special Operations ................. V-10 

V-3 Health Service Support Challenges in Multinational Operations ........... V-12 

VI-1 Health Support Planning Considerations ................................................. VI-2 

VI-2 Patient Movement Item System ............................................................... VI-4 

B-1 Patient Movement Requirements Center Component Lift Interface ..........B-4 

B-2 Determining Patient Flow Requirements ...................................................B-7 

B-A-1 Notional Aeromedical Evacuation Structure ........................................ B-A-4 

B-A-2 Example of the Aeromedical Evacuation Process ................................. B-A-6 

C-1 Service Component Fixed-Wing Aircraft Transportation Assets ..............C-2 

C-2 Service Component Rotary-Wing Aircraft Transportation Assets.............C-2 

C-3 Service Component Medical Ground Vehicles Transportation Assets ......C-3 

C-4 Service Component Nonmedical Ground Vehicles 

Transportation Assets .................................................................................C-3 

C-5 Service Component Rail Transportation Assets .........................................C-4 

C-6 Service Component Water Craft Transportation Assets ............................C-4 

C-7 Description of Medical Evacuation Request Preparation ........................C-13 

C-8 Medical Evacuation/After-Action Record ...............................................C-16 

E-1 Armed Services Blood Distribution System .............................................. E-2 

E-2 Blood Bank Products and Procedures by Treatment Role ....................... E-10 

E-3 Blood Report ............................................................................................ E-16 

E-4 Example Blood Report Message Format ................................................. E-17 

 
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ix 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

COMMANDER’S OVERVIEW 

• Provides an Overview of Health Support to Joint Operations 

• Explains Roles and Responsibilities in Health Service Support 

• Describes Health Service Support Casualty Management, Medical Logistics, and 

Health Information Management 

• Details Force Health Protection Casualty Prevention, Preventive Medicine, and 

Health Surveillance 

• Covers Health Service Support across the Range of Military Operations 

• Addresses Joint Health Planning Considerations and Medical Logistics 

Health Support to Joint Operations Overview 

Military Health System The Military Health System supports the 

operational mission by fostering, protecting, 

sustaining, and restoring health. It also provides the 

direction, resources, health care providers, and other 

means necessary for promoting the health of the 

beneficiary population. 

Principles of Health Service 

Support 

The principles of health service support (HSS) 

consist of conformity, proximity, flexibility, 

mobility, continuity, and control. 

Conformity Conformity with the tactical plan is the most basic 

element for effectively providing health support. 

Medical planners must be involved early in the 

planning process, and once the plan is established, it 

must be rehearsed with the forces it supports. 

Proximity The principle of proximity is to provide health 

support to sick, injured, and wounded military 

personnel at the right time and to keep morbidity 

and mortality to a minimum. 

Flexibility Flexibility is being prepared and empowered to shift 

medical resources to meet changing requirements. 

The medical commander must build flexibility into 
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the operation plan (OPLAN) to support the 

combatant commander’s (CCDR’s) scheme of 

maneuver. 

Mobility The principle of mobility is to ensure that medical 

assets remain within supporting distance of 

maneuvering forces. 

Continuity Continuity of care and treatment is achieved by 

moving the patient through progressive, phased 

roles of care, extending from the point of injury or 

wounding to the US-support base. Each type of 

medical unit contributes a measured, logical 

increment of care appropriate to its location and 

capabilities. 

Control Control is required to ensure that scarce medical 

resources are efficiently employed and support the 

tactical and strategic plan. It also ensures that the 

scope and quality of medical treatment meet 

professional standards, policies, and US and 

international law. 

Joint Medical Capabilities Health support is provided to military personnel by 

applying prevention, protection, and treatment 

capabilities. The five overarching joint medical 

capabilities for HSS are: first responder care 

capability, forward resuscitative care capability, 

theater hospitalization capability, definitive care 

capability, and en route care capability. 

Roles and Responsibilities 

Command and Control Each Service is designated to provide scalable and 

tailorable medical command and control modules 

for early entry and expeditionary operations which 

could augment the theater capability until an 

operational health care infrastructure is established.

Joint Force Surgeon’s Office The joint force surgeon’s (JFS’s) office coordinates 

HSS and force health protection (FHP) capabilities 

for the joint force, under the leadership and 

guidance of the JFS. Working with the combatant 

command (CCMD) surgeon, the JFS assesses joint 

force HSS and FHP requirements and capabilities 

(both quantitatively and qualitatively), and provides 
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xi 

recommendations to the joint force commander 

(JFC). 

Organizing the Joint Force 

Surgeon’s Office 

The JFS’s office must be adequately staffed and 

task organized to support the mission of the joint 

force. 

The deputy JFS facilitates the JFS’s staff actions 

that support the JFC; serves as the JFS in the 

absence of the incumbent; and provides and 

reinforces the JFS’s guidance and intent.

The plans and operations section is the focal point 

for all medical operational matters within the JFS’s 

office. 

The medical logistics (MEDLOG) section is the 

central point for MEDLOG within the JFS’s office 

for planning, developing, and coordinating the 

MEDLOG infrastructure and support for the joint 

force. 

The FHP section’s primary function is to assist the 

JFS and component surgeons with establishing 

policies and procedures to deliver a healthy and fit 

force, prevent casualties, and maintain the health of 

the joint force while deployed. 

Liaison officer section’s primary functions are to 

monitor, coordinate, advise, synchronize, and 

facilitate multinational medical contributions. 

Joint Force Surgeon’s Office 

Battle Rhythm 

The JFS’s office daily operations cycle or “battle 

rhythm” is developed by the deputy JFS and is 

normally maintained in the joint medical operations 

center (JMOC). The purpose of the JFS’s office 

battle rhythm is to provide the JFS’s staff with a 

daily schedule of events necessary to support the 

joint force mission. 

Staff Organizations The JFS may establish staff organizations or may be 

asked to provide medical liaison relationships and 

membership to internal joint force organizations to 

coordinate medical issues. These staff 

organizations and internal joint force organizations 

may include and are not limited to: joint patient 
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movement requirements center, area joint blood 

program office, JMOC, joint medical working 

group, joint planning group, logistics directorate of 

a joint force (J-4) medical liaison cell, civil-military 

operations center, advanced echelon team, and 

humanitarian assistance survey team. 

Joint Force Surgeon Reachback Reachback allows for medical infrastructure support 

services that sustain forward-deployed medical 

forces to transfer products and ideas as they are 

required in the joint operations area (JOA). It also 

provides a channel to contact subject matter experts 

(SMEs) when a technical issue exceeds the joint 

force’s medical SMEs’ capability. 

Health Service Support

Casualty Management A characteristic of health support is the distribution 

of medical resources and capabilities to provide 

roles of medical care. This role of care includes:

immediate lifesaving measures and disease and 

nonbattle injury (DNBI) prevention and care. 

Role 1. The first medical care military personnel 

receive is provided at Role 1 (also referred to as 

unit-level medical care). 

Role2. Role 2 provides advanced trauma 

management and emergency medical treatment 

including continuation of resuscitation started in 

Role 1. 

Role 3. In Role 3, the patient is treated in a medical 

treatment facility or veterinary facility (for working 

animals) that is staffed and equipped to provide care 

to all categories of patients, to include resuscitation, 

initial wound surgery, and post-operative treatment.

Role 4. Role 4 medical care is found in US base 

hospitals and robust overseas facilities. 

Medical Logistics Medical logistics provides intensive management 

for planning and executing MEDLOG support 

operations to include medical distribution (which 

includes transportation planning and coordination), 

medical equipment maintenance and repair, blood 

management, optical fabrication and repair, and the 
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centralized management of patient movement items.

Health Information Management The Secretaries of the Military Departments 

implement policy and follow implementing 

instructions, and report metrics in accordance with 

requirements established by the Assistant Secretary 

of Defense (Health Affairs) (ASD[HA]) 

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 

(CJCS) assesses HSS and FHP as part of the 

overall force planning function of any force 

deployment decision and periodically reassess the 

health support posture of deployed forces. 

Designates theater lead agents for medical materiel 

for CCMDs based upon recommendations from 

Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and in 

coordination with the Secretaries of the Military 

Departments. 

The CCDRs, through the CJCS have overall 

responsibility for HSS and FHP for forces assigned 

or attached to their command. 

DLA is designated Department of Defense (DOD) 

executive agent for medical materiel for DOD. 

The DOD MEDLOG Executive Council, under 

the direction, authority, and control of the Secretary 

of Defense (SecDef), with policy guidance from the 

Office of the ASD(HA), shall provide oversight of 

the DOD MEDLOG. 

The Defense Medical Material Program Office

under the direction, authority, and control of the 

Director of the TRICARE Management Activity, 

with policy guidance from the Office of the 

ASD(HA), shall provide coordination and support 

for collaborative DOD MEDLOG policies and 

objectives with regard to the acquisition and life 

cycle management of medical supplies and 

equipment 

United States Transportation Command is the 

DOD’s single manager for policy and 

standardization of procedures and information 

support systems for global patient movement. 
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United States Air Force Air Mobility Command

is the DOD’s lead agent for aeromedical evacuation 

policy, training, and standardization of procedures.

Force Health Protection 

Casualty Prevention Casualty prevention supports military personnel by 

applying prevention and protection capabilities. 

Casualty prevention includes all measures taken by 

commanders, leaders, individual military personnel, 

and the health care system to promote, improve, or 

conserve the mental and physical well-being of 

military personnel. 

Preventive Medicine Preventive medicine (PVNTMED) is the 

anticipation and prevention, control of 

communicable diseases, illnesses, and exposure to 

endemic, occupational, and environmental threats. 

PVNTMED includes FHP measures taken against 

infectious, endemic, environmental, occupational, 

industrial, and operational health risks. 

Health Surveillance Health surveillance includes identifying the 

population at risk; identifying and assessing their 

potentially hazardous exposures (such as medical, 

food/water, occupational and environmental, 

psychological, and chemical, biological, 

radiological, and nuclear [CBRN]); using health 

risk communications practices to communicate the 

risk; employing specific countermeasures to 

eliminate or mitigate exposures; and utilizing 

medical surveillance procedures to monitor and 

report DNBI/battle injury rates and other measures 

of health outcomes to higher authority in a timely 

manner. 

Combat and Operational Stress 

Control 

Combat and operational stress control includes 

programs and actions to be taken by military 

leadership to prevent, identify, and manage adverse 

combat and operational stress reactions in units. 

Preventive Dentistry Preventive dentistry incorporates primary, secondary, 

and tertiary measures to reduce or eliminate 

conditions that may decrease military personnel 

fitness in performing their mission and which could 

result in being removed from their unit for treatment.
 Executive Summary 

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Vision Readiness Vision readiness encompasses the Service member 

having optimal visual clarity in order to most 

effectively and efficiently complete their 

assignments as well as the optical devices needed 

for vision correction (if required) and for eye 

protection of all service members during hazardous 

activities, including deployment. 

Laboratory Services Deployable environmental laboratory services 

include capabilities in identification and field 

confirmation of endemic diseases, occupational and 

environmental health hazards, and CBRN agents. 

The focus of the laboratory is the total health 

environment of the JOA, not individual patient care.

Veterinary Services The United States Army (USA) is the DOD 

executive agent for veterinary support for the 

Services. USA veterinary units are task-organized 

and tailored in order to support government-owned 

animal health care, veterinary PVNTMED, and 

food safety and security programs. 

Health Service Support Operations

Combat Operations Due to the necessity to perform lifesaving 

interventions for personnel suffering combat trauma 

within minutes of wounding or injury, medical 

resources must be arrayed in close proximity to the 

forces supported. This also permits the medical 

assets to rapidly clear the JOA of casualties and 

enhances the JFC’s ability. 

Stability and Civil-Military 

Operations 

Medical stability operations include supporting 

efforts to establish or restore medical support 

necessary to sustain the population until local civil 

services are restored; assessments of the civilian 

medical and public health systems such as 

infrastructure, medical staff, training and education, 

MEDLOG, public health programs, and promoting 

and enhancing the host nation medical infrastructure. 

Civil-military medicine is a discipline within 

operational medicine comprising public health and 

medical issues that involve a civil-military interface 

(foreign or domestic), including military medical 

support to civil authorities (domestic), medical 

elements of security cooperation activities, and 

medical civil-military operations. 
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Limited Contingencies and Crisis 

Response 

Limited contingencies are operations that are 

inherently joint and require strategic reachback. 

Medical planning during limited contingencies must 

remain flexible to unique support arrangements 

which capitalize on the strengths of all units 

employed in the JOA. 

Defense Support of Civil 

Authorities 

Requests for health support during disasters in the 

US will normally be initiated by Department of 

Health and Human Services through submission of 

a request for assistance or mission assignment. 

Requests typically flow from Federal Emergency 

Management Agency to Joint Director of Military 

Support and are processed forward to SecDef for 

approval. 

Special Operations Forces The theater special operations command component 

commander coordinates conventional HSS 

packages to augment the special operations forces 

(SOF) organic medical capability using the organic 

surgeon section. SOF medics are all advanced 

tactical paramedic certified. In addition, some SOF 

personnel are state certified or national certified 

emergency medical technicians or paramedics. 

SOF advanced tactical paramedics are capable of 

providing advanced tactical combat casualty care. 

Multinational Operations Multinational support operations are complicated by 

a number of characteristics that impact 

fundamentally upon the provision of HSS. 

Contributing nations bear ultimate responsibility for 

ensuring the provision of HSS to their forces 

allocated to multinational operations. Operational 

HSS to multinational forces must meet standards 

that are acceptable to all participating nations. Care 

provided to US forces participating in a 

multinational operation must meet US standards. 

Detainee Operations During the conduct of joint and multinational 

operations, the JFS and component medical forces 

must be prepared to provide health support to a 

wide array of individuals that may be detained by 

US forces. The medical program support for 

detainee operations shall comply with the 

principles, spirit, and intent of the international law 

of war and the Geneva Conventions. To the extent 
 Executive Summary 

xvii 

practicable, treatment of detainees should be guided 

by professional judgments and standards similar to 

those that would be applied to personnel of the 

Armed Forces of the US. 

Operations in a Chemical, 

Biological, Radiological, and 

Nuclear Environment 

The component command surgeons, working with 

the appointed JFS, are responsible for guiding and 

integrating all medical capabilities available to the 

command to support mission accomplishment in a 

CBRN environment. Medical forces may require 

coordination and cooperation with agencies, 

organizations, and individuals outside the military 

chain of command or direct control. 

Contractor Support Prior to deploying, certain medical readiness 

requirements must be satisfied for contingency 

contractors authorized to accompany the force to 

deploy to an operational area. The CCMD surgeon 

and subordinate JFSs should ensure that HSS, either 

as a responsibility of the contractor or the 

geographic combatant commander/JFC, is fully 

delineated in OPLANs, operation orders, and 

operational specific policy to assure appropriate 

medical staffing in the area of responsibility/JOA. 

Contingency contractors authorized to accompany 

the force are not authorized primary and routine 

medical or dental care unless specifically authorized 

under the terms of the DOD contract and approved 

by the supported JFC. 

Joint Health Planning

Health Support Planning 

Considerations 

Timely, effective planning and coordination are 

essential to ensure adequate and sustainable health 

support in a JOA. Organization of the health 

support system is determined by the joint force’s 

mission, the threat, intelligence, anticipated number 

of patients, duration of the operation, the theater 

patient movement policy, available lift, MEDLOG 

capabilities, and hospitalization requirements. 

Planning Joint Medical Logistics Medical units as well as maneuver units usually 

begin requesting MEDLOG support immediately 

upon arrival as they provide area medical support to 

organic personnel, identify unit shortages, or begin 

early operations in support of forces in the JOA. 

The MEDLOG planner must coordinate with the 
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xviii JP 4-02 

command J-4 and other designated movement 

control organizations. Medical materiel will 

typically flow through the same distribution 

channels and is subject to the same movement 

controls as all other classes of supply. 

Systems and Planning Tools The Joint Medical Planning Tool will take Servicespecific casualty rates, admission rates, and 

population at risk from time-phased force and 

deployment data, contingency planning, theater 

patient movement policy, and merges those figures 

to generate joint medical requirements. 

CONCLUSION 

 This publication provides doctrine for the planning, 

preparation, and execution of health service support 

across the range of military operations. 
I-1 

CHAPTER I

HEALTH SUPPORT TO JOINT OPERATIONS OVERVIEW 

1. Introduction 

Joint health care operations are conducted as part of an interrelated military health 

system that shares medical services, capabilities, and specialists among the Service 

components and partners with multi-agencies and nations to implement a seamless 

unified health delivery effort within a joint command and control (C2). Joint medical 

capabilities (i.e., health support) are grouped under the joint functions of sustainment and 

protection. Health service support (HSS) falls under sustainment, and force health 

protection (FHP) falls under protection. Health support capabilities, which encompasses 

HSS and FHP, are employed during all military operations. These capabilities span the 

operational environment from point of injury/illness to the appropriate role of care. 

2. Military Health System 

The Military Health System supports the operational mission by fostering, 

protecting, sustaining, and restoring health. It also provides the direction, resources, 

health care providers, and other means necessary for promoting the health of the 

beneficiary population. These include developing and promoting health awareness issues 

to educate customers, discovering and resolving environmentally based health threats, 

providing health services (including preventive care, problem intervention services, and 

pastoral care and religious support), and improving the means and methods for 

maintaining the health of the beneficiary population by constantly evaluating the 

performance of the health support. The Military Health System supports all US military 

personnel (active, and retired military personnel and their families if an enrollee is in 

TRICARE). However, this publication will only address health support for the military 

personnel in joint and Service organizations in the preparation and conduct of joint 

operations. 

3. Principles of Health Service Support 

The principles of HSS consist of conformity, proximity, flexibility, mobility, 

continuity, and control. 

a. Conformity with the tactical plan is the most basic element for effectively 

providing health support. In order to develop a comprehensive concept of operations 

(CONOPS), the medical commander must have direct access to the tactical commander. 

“The preservation of a soldier’s health should be [the commander’s] first and 

greatest care.” 

Excerpt from the first regulations published for an American force, 

 (Regulation 5, 1778–1779) 
Chapter I 

I-2 JP 4-02 

Medical planners must be involved early in the planning process, and once the plan is 

established, it must be rehearsed with the forces it supports. 

b. The principle of proximity is to provide health support to sick, injured, and 

wounded military personnel at the right time and to keep morbidity and mortality to a 

minimum. Medical assets are placed within supporting distance of the supported 

maneuver forces, but not close enough to impede ongoing combat operations. As the 

battle rhythm of the medical commander is similar to the tactical commander’s, it is 

essential that medical assets are positioned to rapidly locate, acquire, stabilize, and 

evacuate casualties. 

c. Flexibility is being prepared and empowered to shift medical resources to meet 

changing requirements. Changes in tactical plans or operations make flexibility in 

medical planning and execution essential. The medical commander must build flexibility 

into the operation plan (OPLAN) to support the combatant commander’s (CCDR’s) 

scheme of maneuver. He must also ensure that the flexibility exists to rapidly transition 

from one level of violence to another if the situation escalates. As the current era is one 

characterized by persistent conflict, the medical commander may be supporting 

simultaneous actions along the continuum from stable peace through general war. The 

medical commander exercises his command authority to effectively manage his scarce 

medical resources so that they benefit the greatest number of military personnel in the 

joint operations area (JOA). 

d. The principle of mobility is to ensure that medical assets remain within 

supporting distance of maneuvering forces. The mobility and survivability (such as 

armor plating and other force protection measures) of medical units organic to maneuver 

elements must be equal to the forces being supported. Major medical headquarters (HQ) 

continually assess and forecast unit movement and redeployment. Medical support must 

be continually responsive to shifting medical requirements in the operational 

environment. In noncontiguous operations, the use of ground ambulances may be limited 

depending on the security threat in unassigned areas, and air ambulance use may be 

limited by environmental conditions and enemy air defense threat. Therefore, to facilitate 

a continuous evacuation flow, patient movement must be a synchronized effort to ensure 

timely, responsive, and effective support is provided to the tactical commander. The only 

means available to increase the mobility of medical units is to evacuate all patients that 

they are holding. Medical units anticipating an influx of patients must medically 

evacuate patients on-hand prior to the start of the engagement. 

e. Continuity of care and treatment is achieved by moving the patient through 

progressive, phased roles of care, extending from the point of injury or wounding to the 

US-support base. Each type of medical unit contributes a measured, logical increment of 

care appropriate to its location and capabilities. In current operations, lower casualty 

rates, availability of rotary-wing air ambulances, and other situational variables often 

times enables a patient to be evacuated from the point of injury directly to the supporting 

medical treatment facility (MTF). In more traditional combat operations, higher casualty 

rates, extended distances, and patient condition may necessitate that a patient receive 

treatment at each role of care to maintain his physiologic status and enhance his chances 
Health Support to Joint Operations Overview 

I-3 

of survival. The medical commander’s depth of medical knowledge, ability to anticipate 

follow-on treatment requirements, and assessment of the availability of specialized 

medical resources enable him to adjust the flow of casualties to ensure that everyone 

treated receives the care required to optimize patient outcomes. The medical commander 

may recommend changes in the theater evacuation policy to adjust patient flow within the 

deployed setting. 

f. Control is required to ensure that scarce medical resources are efficiently 

employed and support the tactical and strategic plan. It also ensures that the scope and 

quality of medical treatment meet professional standards, policies, and US and 

international law. Within the JOA, the individual responsible to orchestrate this complex 

support for the joint force commander (JFC) is the joint force surgeon (JFS). The JFS 

establishes relationships with theater MTF commanders and others who exercise 

command authority over medical forces to synchronize activities. In a joint, interagency, 

intergovernmental, and multinational environment, it is essential that coordination be 

accomplished across all Services and multinational forces to leverage all of the 

specialized skills within the theater. 

4. Joint Medical Capabilities 

Health support is provided to military personnel by applying prevention, protection, 

and treatment capabilities. These capabilities are both wide-ranging and diverse and 

match the complexity of human health needs. These capabilities are focused on the 

individual, while others are directed at the family, organization, or force. The five 

overarching joint medical capabilities for HSS are:

a. First Responder Care Capability

(1) The first responder care capability is defined by its time requirements. It is 

this health care capability that provides first responder care, which is immediate medical 

care and stabilization to the patient in preparation for evacuation to the next higher role of 

care. This capability can be divided into three categories of self-aid or buddy aid 

(nonmedical), emergent care services, and primary care. 

(2) Primary care outpatient services often begin with the employment of basic 

or advanced first aid (via self-aid or buddy aid), followed by nonphysician medical care, 

and, in some instances, physician primary care. Emergent care services offer basic prehospital trauma life support to include paramedic emergency care, initial resuscitative and 

fluid therapy, and cardiac life support. First responders provide initial treatment for 

injuries. 

(3) Primary care/outpatient activities (such as aid stations, clinics, and organic 

medical departments) may offer basic ancillary services such as limited pharmacy, 

laboratory, and radiology. They may also include sub-specialties like basic behavioral 

(mental) health and dental as well as some preventive medicine (PVNTMED) 

capabilities. 
Chapter I 

I-4 JP 4-02 

(4) First responder care capability is also known as tactical combat casualty 

care. Tactical combat casualty care occurs during a combat mission and is the military 

counterpart to pre-hospital trauma life support. Pre-hospital trauma care in the military is 

most commonly provided by enlisted personnel and includes self-aid and buddy aid and 

combat life savers. Typically, enlisted combat medics in the United States Army (USA), 

corpsmen in the United States Navy (USN), United States Marine Corps (USMC), and 

United States Coast Guard (USCG), and both medics and pararescuemen in the United 

States Air Force (USAF) deliver this capability. Tactical combat casualty care focuses on 

the most likely threats, injuries, and conditions encountered in combat and on a strictly 

limited range of interventions directed at the most serious of these threats and conditions. 

Tactical combat casualty care is divided into three phases. 

(a) Care under fire phase—combat life savers, pararescue, and other 

medical personnel and their units are under effective hostile fire and are very limited in 

the care they can provide. In essence, only those life-saving interventions that must be 

performed immediately are undertaken during this phase. 

(b) Tactical field care phase—medical personnel and their casualties are no 

longer under effective hostile fire and can provide more extensive casualty care. In this 

phase, interventions directed at other life-threatening conditions as well as resuscitation 

and other measures to increase the comfort of the patient may be performed. 

(c) Tactical evacuation phase—casualties are being transported to an MTF 

by an aircraft or vehicle, and there is an opportunity to provide additional medical 

personnel and equipment to maintain the interventions already performed, to further 

increase the role of care rendered to the casualty, and to be prepared to deal with the 

potential for the patient’s condition to change during the evacuation. 

b. Forward Resuscitative Care Capability

(1) Forward resuscitative care capability is characterized by the capacity to 

perform advanced emergency medical treatment as close to the point of injury as 

possible, to attain stabilization of the patient, and to achieve the most efficient use of 

lifesaving and limb-saving medical treatment. The forward resuscitative care capability 

typically provides essential care for stabilization to ensure the patient can tolerate 

evacuation. This capability covers advanced emergency services, post-surgical inpatient 

services, surgical subspecialty services, and ancillary services. 

(2) Advanced emergency services build upon first responder care capability by 

providing trauma life support, resuscitative care, emergency physician care, initial 

advanced burn management, and blood/fluid therapy. Available surgical services are 

normally comprised of trauma, general, thoracic, and orthopedic surgery capabilities. In 

turn, these surgical services are supported by surgical inpatient services: medicalsurgical nursing care, post-operative care, critical care nursing, and temporary holding 

services. All these capabilities are underpinned by sufficient pharmacy, laboratory, and 

radiology services. 
Health Support to Joint Operations Overview 

I-5 

c. Theater Hospitalization Capability

(1) This capability delivers health support required to medically sustain forces 

in the JOA. This health support capability involves hospitals purposely positioned to 

provide support in the JOA. Hospitalization capabilities in the JOA deploy as modules or 

multiple individual capabilities that provide incrementally increased medical services in a 

progressively more robust JOA. The hospitalization capability in the JOA offers 

essential care to either return the patient to duty (within the theater patient movement 

policy) and/or stabilization to ensure the patient can tolerate evacuation to a definitive 

care facility outside the JOA. In addition to the availability of substantial medical 

personnel skills, hospitalization capability in the JOA has the facilities and materiel 

(equipment and consumable supplies) to render significant preventive and curative health 

care. These highly robust services encompass primary inpatient and outpatient care; 

emergent care; and enhanced medical, surgical, and ancillary capabilities. 

(2) Hospitalization capabilities in the JOA can vary according to the regional 

infrastructure, operational area, and tempo of operation. A robust capability in the JOA 

would contain the following services not normally resident at the lower roles: advanced 

burn management; blood bank services; medical logistics (MEDLOG); optometry and 

ophthalmology; pediatrics; obstetrics; gynecology; internal medicine; cardiology; 

pathology; infectious disease; intensive/critical care beds and nursing; medical nutrition 

therapy; behavioral health; occupational health; physical and occupational therapies; 

dental; PVNTMED; veterinary; and other medical specialties. Additional surgical 

capabilities exist for eye, maxillofacial, and neurosurgery. There are also expanded 

capabilities for radiology, pharmacy, and laboratory services. 

d. Definitive Care Capability

(1) Definitive care capability is rendered to conclusively manage a patient’s 

condition and is usually delivered from or at facilities in the homeland but may be 

delivered in facilities outside the homeland. For military personnel, this care capability 

normally leads to rehabilitation, return to duty, or discharge from the armed forces. It 

includes the full range of preventive, curative, acute, convalescent, restorative, and 

rehabilitative medical care. It extends to the families of members of the Armed Forces of 

the United States and Service retirees. 

(2) Because this definitive care capability usually resides outside the 

operational area, the most advanced health care can be made available and accessible to 

the patient in terms of mutually supporting resources: medical personnel, materiel, 

facilities, and information. Definitive care includes all the capabilities embedded in 

health support, plus extraordinary preventive, restorative, and rehabilitative capabilities 

not existent in lesser capabilities of care. These additional capabilities give patients the 

maximum opportunity to enhance and sustain their performance, whether in recovery and 

rehabilitation, back on military duty, or as a civilian, medically retired or discharged. 
Chapter I 

I-6 JP 4-02 

e. En Route Care Capability

(1) The purpose of an en route care capability is the continuation of care during 

movement (evacuation) without clinically compromising the patient’s condition. En 

route care involves transitory medical care, patient holding, and staging capabilities 

during transport from the site of injury or onset of disease, through successive capabilities 

of medical care, to an MTF that can meet the needs of the patient. Each Service 

component has organic vehicles that can be used for patient movement from point of 

injury to initial treatment at a medical care capability. 

(2) En route care capability can take three forms. Casualty evacuation 

(CASEVAC) involves the unregulated movement of casualties aboard ships, land 

vehicles, or aircraft. Medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) traditionally refers to USA, USN, 

USMC, and USCG patient movement using predesignated tactical or logistic aircraft 

(both fixed-wing and rotary-wing), boats, ships, and other watercraft temporarily 

equipped and staffed with medical attendants for en route care. Aeromedical evacuation 

(AE) refers to the Air Force system providing time-sensitive en route care to regulated 

patients to and between medical treatment facilities MTF. See Annex A, “Aeromedical 

Evacuation,” to Appendix B, “Patient Movement,” for a detailed discussion of AE. 

(3) The reduced medical footprint forward and current “evacuate and replace” 

philosophy place a high demand on the en route care capabilities of all Services. 

Consequently, Service medical elements should integrate with lift operations as well as 

with the associated capabilities of multinational partners for patient movement. 
II-1 

CHAPTER II

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

1. Command and Control 

The complexities of the operational environment and the myriad of medical 

functions and assets necessitate a C2 capability that can plan, control, and assess the 

limited medical resources available to their full potential and capability. Each Service is 

designated to provide scalable and tailorable medical C2 modules for early entry and 

expeditionary operations which could augment the theater capability until an operational 

health care infrastructure is established. 

2. Joint Force Surgeon’s Office 

a. The JFS’s office coordinates HSS and FHP capabilities for the joint force, under 

the leadership and guidance of the JFS. The JFS’s staff should be reasonably balanced in 

experience and rank among the Services concerned and should be of sufficient size to 

effectively coordinate support for the following tasks: 

(1) Joint coordination of HSS and FHP initiatives. 

(2) Deployment health surveillance. 

(3) HSS and FHP operations that sustain collaborative joint planning between 

CCDRs, Services, Department of Defense (DOD) agencies, nongovernmental 

organizations (NGOs), intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), and host nation (HN) 

and multinational participants as required. 

(4) Standardization and interoperability of medical capabilities and materiel. 

(5) Development of the medical plan and course of action (COA) analysis. 

(6) Review of subordinate plans and operations. 

(7) Joint coordination of intratheater patient movement. 

(8) Reachback support. 

(9) HSS and FHP planning and operations to include: 

(a) Hospitalization. 

(b) Patient movement. 

“A soldier’s health must come before economy or any other consideration.” 

Napoleon I, 17 June 1813 
Chapter II 

II-2 JP 4-02 

(c) Service component transportation assets. 

(d) MEDLOG support. 

(e) Blood management. 

(f) Intelligence support to joint health operations. 

(g) PVNTMED, medical surveillance, and intelligence. 

(h) Patient area reception. 

(i) Medical aspects of reintegration. 

(j) Impacts of the law of war and medical ethics. 

(k) Medical aspects to support personnel recovery. 

(l) Medical repatriation of partner nation patients. 

(10) The collection of medical lessons learned data that provides operational 

documentation and results in recommendations for change to current plans and policy. 

b. The discussion of the JFS role and responsibilities applies to surgeons at all 

levels. 

c. Working with the combatant command (CCMD) surgeon, the JFS assesses joint 

force HSS and FHP requirements and capabilities (both quantitatively and qualitatively), 

and provides recommendations to the JFC. The responsibilities of the JFS are similar to 

those of the CCMD surgeon. The JFS should: 

(1) Expect to receive broad guidance and a general concept of medical 

operations from the CCMD surgeon. 

(2) Determine JFS’s office requirements, establishing and organizing the office, 

and preparing to deploy the section to conduct 24-hour operations. 

(3) Assist the JFC with establishing specific joint force medical readiness 

requirements to include predeployment and FHP requirements; any requisite individual 

medical training to include safety, first aid, sanitation, health threats, and health 

protection measures including those related to chemical, biological, radiological, and 

nuclear (CBRN) and environmental and/or industrial threats. The needs of contractors 

authorized to accompany the force in the JOA should also be considered when 

establishing medical readiness requirements. 

(4) Advise the JFC concerning the following: 
 Roles and Responsibilities 

II-3 

(a) The health of the joint force such as disease and nonbattle injury 

(DNBI)/battle injury (BI) rates and other health factors that could affect joint task force 

(JTF) operations to include medical threat identification and protective measures. 

(b) HSS and FHP aspects of joint operations. 

(c) Rest, rotation, and reconstitution policies and procedures within the 

JOA. 

(d) Prevention and protection measures and procedures, including 

prophylactic countermeasures (including immunizations); field sanitation measures and 

hygiene; veterinary services; epidemiology; and prevention programs based on the 

environment, personnel, and medical intelligence. 

(e) Health surveillance, including medical and occupational and 

environmental health (OEH) surveillance. 

(f) FHP operations during the joint reception, staging, onward movement, 

and integration (JRSOI) phase of the joint force deployment/redeployment process. 

(g) The treatment and evacuation of US and multinational forces personnel 

within the JOA. 

(5) Establish medical request for forces, request for assistance, and request for 

support. Coordinate and process requirements and support needed for mission execution 

through functional directorates. 

(6) Establish priorities for actions within the JFS’s staff and identify medical 

issues that are significant information reporting requirements. 

(7) Determine patient movement requirements. 

(8) Establish, as a minimum, an area joint blood program office (AJBPO) and a 

joint patient movement requirements center (JPMRC). If a JPMRC is not established to 

provide management for both regulating and patient evacuation, direct liaison must be 

established with the theater patient movement requirements center (TPMRC) or the 

Global Patient Movement Requirements Center (GPMRC) and Service patient movement 

components. 

(9) Establish the operational area HSS and FHP plan and ensure efficient and 

effective interface of the theater and strategic AE systems through the JPMRC. 

(10) Monitor medical regulating and patient movement activities of the JPMRC 

and ensure procedures are established to provide patient in-transit visibility information 

to the manpower and personnel directorate of a joint staff (J-1). 

(11) Assist the JFC in formulating a recommended patient movement policy 

within the operational area and monitor evacuation requirements. 
Chapter II 

II-4 JP 4-02 

(12) During HSS and FHP planning: 

(a) Participate in planning and review plans to evaluate if appropriate 

medical resources and infrastructure are available to support the approved CONOPS. If 

required, request additional resources or suggest modifications to the plan but at a 

minimum identify the risks to the commander. 

(b) Assist commanders to build and maintain a fit and healthy joint force. 

Focus on prevention of casualties and effective and efficient care for causalities and the 

entire process of delivering responsive health support to the deployed joint force. 

(c) Monitor, facilitate, and coordinate essential care of the injured and ill in 

the operational area and their rapid evacuation to definitive medical care. 

(d) Identify joint deficiencies and risks and develop joint alternative COAs 

to address shortfalls. 

(e) Consider as medical functions for planning: patient movement, blood 

program, hospitalization (includes medical nutrition therapy for hospitalized patients), 

forward resuscitative care capabilities, health support for other than US forces, return to 

duty, MEDLOG, PVNTMED, dental services, veterinary services, combat and 

operational stress control, medical communications system and intelligence, and HN 

support or other United States Government (USG) department and agency support. 

(f) Consider support for medical civil-military operations. 

(13) Advise the commander on the medical analysis of the COAs and the 

medical estimate based on the integration of all health and safety risk assessments. 

(14) Coordinate membership and required medical liaison relationships to 

appropriate joint force staff organizations. 

(15) In conjunction with the joint force staff judge advocate, provide the JFC 

with medical engagement protocol recommendations. 

(16) Assist component commands in identifying HSS and FHP requirements 

and assign cross-Service support where practical; conduct liaison with each component 

surgeon to establish and maintain HSS and FHP support. 

(17) Evaluate and characterize medical and OEH threats in the JOA and make 

recommendations for countermeasures to control or reduce medical and OEH threats that 

may impact personnel health or mission objectives. 

(18) Coordinate all FHP and deployment health surveillance and readiness predeployment, deployment, employment, and redeployment activities and tasks. 

(19) Establish a health surveillance capability to monitor disease and 

environmental hazards, carry out significant event epidemiological investigations, 
 Roles and Responsibilities 

II-5 

coordinate activities of in-theater laboratory and support assets, provide related support to 

units, assist with documenting in medical records the environmental and occupational 

monitoring results and exposure diagnoses and communicating health risks. 

(20) Integrate health risks with other operational risks using risk management 

principles to reduce the impact on joint force missions and personnel during joint 

operations. 

(21) Communicate risks on health and safety including protective 

countermeasures and other topics such as use of chemoprophylaxis, immunizations, 

pretreatments, insect repellants, sanitation, and first aid to joint force personnel in the 

JOA (to include all military personnel, all DOD civilian and other deployed federal 

employees; and contractors authorized to accompany the force). 

(22) Establish HSS and FHP procedures for operations in a CBRN environment 

to include recommending the theater patient movement policy of contaminated patients. 

(23) Provide support to the intelligence directorate of a joint staff (J-2) 

especially for conducting joint intelligence preparation of the operational environment 

and producing and distributing associated products. 

(24) Provide PVNTMED/public health support and information on cultural 

issues relevant to interactions with HN medical systems and participate in the selection of 

bed-down locations. 

(25) Provide guidance for the development of medical annexes to joint plans 

and medical estimates based on casualty planning factors. 

(26) Coordinate with all other medical support activities in the JOA that may 

play a role in the mission to ensure unity of effort. These may include NGOs, IGOs, 

multinational medical units, HN medical assets, and other USG departments and agencies 

and activities/interest in the public health sector. 

(27) Coordinate with special operations forces (SOF) within the JOA and 

provide HSS and FHP as required. 

(28) Ensure appropriate medical care is provided for civilians, contractors 

authorized to accompany the force, allied military personnel, and detainees, as required 

by US and international law, mission requirements, established medical engagement 

protocols, DOD policy, contractual obligations, and applicable national agreements. 

(29) Plan for providing support in the prevention and treatment of stress. 

(30) Develop mass casualty (MASCAL) plans for the JOA. 

(31) Plan for medical support to recovery operations. Coordinate with the 

reintegration team chief. 
Chapter II 

II-6 JP 4-02 

(32) Coordinate disaster relief/foreign humanitarian assistance (FHA) 

augmentation and provide medical support to the resultant civil-military operations. In 

addition, other special operations units may need conventional force medical 

augmentation in austere environments. 

(33) Recommend the task organization of medical units to satisfy all joint force 

mission requirements and monitor the availability of and recommend the reassignment 

and utilization of medical assets in the JOA. 

(34) Determine, in conjunction with the joint force staff judge advocate and the 

chain of command, the eligibility for medical care in joint force MTFs. 

(35) Maintain situational awareness by coordinating medical information with 

the CCMD surgeon, component surgeons, joint force medical units, multinational force 

surgeons, and other agency medical support personnel as required. 

(36) Coordinate medical consultation services for the joint force to include 

telemedicine as required. 

(37) Collect and forward medical statistical data pertinent to the JOA as 

required. 

(38) Recommend policies and determine requirements and priorities for 

MEDLOG to include blood and blood products, medical supply and resupply, and 

medical equipment maintenance and repair services. 

(a) Ensure communications equipment compatibility, standardization of 

radio frequencies, reports formats, treatment protocols, and requirements for equipment 

with multinational medical units, and other USG departments and agencies when 

appropriate. 

(b) Ensure the development and distribution of a standardized operational 

and medical terminology reference guide to facilitate the synchronization of health 

support efforts and minimize misinterpretation with multinational medical units. 

(39) Ensure that medical records are established and maintained on patients that 

are treated at MTFs in the operational area of the JFS. 

(40) Ensure a dental capability is established as required by the mission. 

(41) Ensure a pharmacy capability is established as required by the mission. 

(42) Ensure a veterinary program is established as required by mission 

requirements. 

(43) Ensure access to clinical and environmental laboratory capabilities for the 

identification and confirmation of the use of chemical, biological, or radiological hazards 

against joint forces as required by mission requirements. There are four levels of 
 Roles and Responsibilities 

II-7 

identification for CBRN hazards: presumptive, field confirmatory, theater validation, and 

definitive. 

For more information on the definitions and descriptions of the levels of identification, 

see Army Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures 3-11.37/Marine Corps Warfighting 

Publication (MCWP) 3-37.4/Navy Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (NTTP) 3-

11.29/Air Force Tactics Techniques, and Procedures (Instruction) (AFTTP[I]) 3-2.44, 

Multiservice Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for CBRN Reconnaissance and 

Surveillance.

(44) Promote and improve the health of the joint force through programs on 

injury prevention, dental health, good nutrition, tobacco use prevention and cessation, 

physical fitness and weight control, responsible sexual behavior, stress management, 

suicide prevention, alcohol and drug abuse prevention, and other health initiatives. 

(45) Capture and apply operational and medical lessons learned on an ongoing 

basis. 

(46) In conjunction with the operations directorate of a joint force (J-3) and 

logistics directorate of a joint force (J-4), ensure that health support, either as a 

responsibility of the contractor or the JFC, is fully delineated in OPLANs, operation 

orders (OPORDs), and contracts to assure appropriate medical staffing for contractors 

authorized to accompany the force in the JOA. 

(47) In conjunction with the joint force staff judge advocate and CCMD JFS, 

develop joint force policies and procedures for detainee medical care to include: 

(a) Ensuring the appointment of a detainee operations medical director to 

oversee and guide all elements of health care delivery to detainees within the operational 

area. 

(b) Ensuring that the medical annex of OPORDs and contingency plans 

include procedures for the treatment of all detainees. Medical support should specifically 

include: emergency and essential medical care that provides for restoration of functional 

health, prevention of disease and establishing policy for the medical repatriation of 

detainees. Services include professional medical services and medical supply. Medical 

support should have oversight of all sanitary aspects of food service including provisions 

for potable water, field hygiene and sanitation, pest management and entomological 

support, PVNTMED (to include immunizations as directed and established by applicable 

policies), and review/coordination of use and assignment of medically trained detainees 

and medical materials. Ensuring personnel in US custody shall receive health care 

consistent with the standard of health care that applies for US military personnel in the 

same geographic area. 

(c) Ensuring that the appropriate health care providers are available to 

address the health care needs of female detainees. 
Chapter II 

II-8 JP 4-02 

(d) Coordinating with the detention facility commander and facilities 

officer for the provision of separate hygiene facilities and supplies in any facilities in 

which female detainees are accommodated. 

(e) Ensuring the provision for an initial medical screening of detainees that 

includes an examination and documentation of the detainee’s physical condition upon 

initiation of detention and the examining of detainees for contagious diseases (to include 

chest radiograph and tuberculin skin test). 

(f) Ensuring that medical screening of detainees is conducted monthly, to 

monitor the general state of health, suicide prevention, medical ethics, reporting of 

suspected abuse, nutrition and cleanliness of detainees, and to detect contagious diseases. 

Monthly screenings should include documentation of the weight of each detainee. 

(g) Ensuring that PVNTMED and veterinary services, food safety, and 

defense inspections are conducted at the joint force detention facility. 

(h) Ensuring the establishment of a medical record for each detainee and 

that a copy of that record accompanies the detainee whenever they are transferred to 

another facility or released. 

(i) Recommending to the JFC an immunization policy for detainees as 

dictated by the health threat. 

(j) Ensuring that detainee repatriation and release procedures include a full 

physical prior to release or transfer, instructions for the use of prescribed medications, a 

supply of medications, and that all appropriate medical and dental records accompany the 

detainee. 

(k) Ensuring that health care providers charged with any form of assistance 

with the detainee interrogation process, to include interpretation of medical records and 

information, are prohibited from any aspect of detainee health care. 

(l) Ensuring the prevention of detainees attempting or committing suicide 

while in custody. 

(m) Developing plans for prisoners on a hunger strike and plans for 

prisoners who refuse medical treatment. 

(n) Ensuring that detainees evacuated to a joint force MTF for treatment are 

escorted by an armed guard as designated by the JFC. The guard must remain with the 

patient while in the patient movement and treatment chain. 

(o) Ensuring that experimental medical research is not conducted on 

detainees. 

(p) Ensuring that physical security is provided by nonmedical personnel as 

designated by the JFC. 
 Roles and Responsibilities 

II-9 

(q) Establishing procedures to obtain signed permission for all surgical or 

invasive procedures performed on detainees. 

(r) Ensure procedures for identifying, reporting, and resolving of medical 

ethics and other legal issues are established and disseminated. 

(s) Ensure any health care personnel that in the course of treatment 

relationship or in any way observes or suspects a possible violation of applicable 

standards, including those prescribed in Department of Defense Instruction (DODI) 

2310.08E, Medical Program Support for Detainee Operations, and Department of 

Defense Directive (DODD) 2310.01E, The Department of Defense Detainee Program, 

will report those circumstances to the chain of command. 

(t) Identify any behavioral health science requirements. 

(u) Ensure that a restraint procedure is deemed necessary based purely on 

medical criteria for the protection of the physical or behavioral safety of the detainee, 

other patients, or the MTF staff. Health care personnel will not participate in the process 

of restraining the detainee. Rather, military police or other security personnel will be 

responsible for restraint of the detainees. 

(v) Ensure the caloric content and dietary suitability of detainee rations. 

Ensure consideration of habitual diet and religious/cultural requirements of the detainees. 

(48) Ensure that greater emphasis be placed on PVNTMED training and 

equipping SOF personnel due to limited support availability. 

(49) Plan for medical support to the media and the media pool. 

3. Organizing the Joint Force Surgeon’s Office 

a. The JFS’s office must be adequately staffed and task organized to support the 

mission of the joint force. Some considerations for determining the duties and 

responsibilities by the staff include: 

(1) The mission of the joint force. 

(2) Medical forces assigned. 

(3) The amount of time required to plan and form the staff. 

(4) The anticipated health threat (including CBRN exposures). 

(5) Specialists required. 

(6) Size of the workspace (on a ship, in tents, in a building). 

(7) Environmental factors (tropical, mountainous, desert, arctic). 
Chapter II 

II-10 JP 4-02 

(8) HN/multinational support. 

b. Some of the positions the JFS may be required to staff are provided below. Some 

of the functions of these positions can be combined or eliminated, as necessary and 

appropriate. Typical staff positions include: 

(1) Deputy surgeon. 

(2) Medical operations officer. 

(3) Senior medical operations noncommissioned officer/chief petty officer. 

(4) Medical plans officer. 

(5) Environmental science officer/environmental health officer. 

(6) Industrial hygiene officer/bioenvironmental engineer/sanitary engineer. 

(7) Medical intelligence officer. 

(8) Area joint blood program officer. 

(9) Patient movement (evacuation) officer. 

(10) MEDLOG officer. 

(11) PVNTMED officer/public health officer/public health nurse. 

(12) Veterinary services officer. 

(13) Liaison officers (to include US SOF, multinational liaison, IGO/NGO 

liaison officers, and HN liaison officers). 

(14) International health specialist officer. 

(15) Administrative staff. 

(16) Medical maintenance officer. 

(17) Medical information systems officer. 

c. The JFS’s office may be organized in many different ways. One example is 

shown in Figure II-1 and is used for illustrative purposes only. The mission of the 

functional areas and duties of the staff include: 

(1) Deputy Joint Force Surgeon. It is recommended that the individual 

completes the joint medical planner’s course and the joint force senior medical leader 

seminar. The deputy JFS facilitates the JFS’s staff actions that support the JFC; serves as 
 Roles and Responsibilities 

II-11 

the JFS in the absence of the incumbent; and provides and reinforces the JFS’s guidance 

and intent. Specific responsibilities of the deputy JFS may include: 

(a) Assisting the JFS with: 

1. Determining office manning, equipment, and transportation 

requirements. 

Legend

Surgeon

Deputy Surgeon

Plans and 

Operations

Administrative 

Staff





Administrative NCO/ 

petty officer

Clerk/typist















Plans

Operations

Patient movement 

officer

ESO/EHO

Senior medical 

NCO/CPO

Clerk/typist/ 

admininistrative 

technician

International health 

specialist







MEDLOG officer

Joint MEDLOG 

liaison officer

Blood program 

officer











IHO/BEE/sanitary 

engineer

Veterinary services 

officer

Preventive medicine 

officer

Public health officer

Public health nurse







Host nation

IGO/NGO

Multinational 

forces

Medical 

Logistics

Force Health 

Protection

Liaison 

Officers

Notional Joint Force

Surgeon’s Office Organization

BEE

CPO

EHO

ESO

bioenvironmental engineering officer

chief petty officer

environmental health officer

environmental science officer

IGO intergovernmental organization

IHO industrial hygiene officer

MEDLOG medical logistics

NCO noncommissioned officer

NGO nongovernmental organization

Figure II-1. Notional Joint Force Surgeon’s Office Organization
Chapter II 

II-12 JP 4-02 

2. Developing guidelines for types of medical supplies needed, supply 

procedures, stockage levels, sizes and location of medical supply installations, and 

medical equipment maintenance support. 

3. Assigning responsibilities to individual sections or individuals as 

appropriate, to include the assignment of liaisons to the joint force J-4, civil-military 

operations center, joint civil-military coordination board, humanitarian assistance survey 

team (HAST); joint interagency coordination group and membership duties to the joint 

planning group and other joint force organizations. 

4. Maintaining oversight on the implementation of JFS’s 

policies/procedures. 

5. Supervising augmentation medical teams, as required. 

6. Ensuring that the appropriate training is conducted for JFS’s staff. 

7. Maintaining a master policy file and monitoring the JFS’s office 

standard operating procedures (SOPs). 

8. Monitoring JFS’s staff actions and functions to ensure compliance 

of assigned taskings (to include common administrative tasks). 

9. Ensuring that command strategic message themes and information 

operation objectives are planned into all command surgeon actions and activities. 

(b) Supervising the plans and operations section of the JFS’s office and the 

development of HSS and FHP plans. 

(c) Keeping the JFS informed on the status of HSS and FHP throughout the 

joint force by monitoring the status of patient beds, evacuation requirements, joint blood 

program, MEDLOG, laboratory capability, combat and operational stress control, 

veterinary support and food safety/defense and food service programs, dental services, 

deployment health surveillance and PVNTMED programs, and health engagement 

activities that promote health and welfare of human populations such as global health 

security, humanitarian action, foreign disaster assistance, and humanitarian civic 

assistance. 

(d) Forming, organizing, and supervising appropriate JFS medical boards, 

offices, and cells as required. 

(e) Supervising the development of annex Q (Medical Services) of the 

OPORD/OPLAN. 

(f) Compiling reports reflecting the overall medical readiness of the joint 

force. 

(g) Establishing the JFS’s staff daily operations cycle or battle rhythm. 
 Roles and Responsibilities 

II-13 

(h) Coordinating and managing the JFS’s office daily battle update 

assessment meeting. 

(i) Coordinating with the joint force chief of staff to ensure that the 

appropriate functions of HSS and FHP are integrated into the joint force battle rhythm. 

(j) Serving as the chief, joint medical operations center (JMOC) as 

required. 

(k) Serving as member, joint planning group, and joint medical working 

group (JMWG) as required. 

(2) Plans and Operations. The plans and operations section is the focal point 

for all medical operational matters within the JFS’s office. Its primary functions are to 

plan and develop the medical infrastructure to protect the health of the joint force; 

mitigate the effects of illness and injury within the JOA; and serve as the hub for 

achieving medical situational awareness by establishing a JMOC for information 

management and the facilitation of medical synchronization, and assessment of activities 

and actions to determine effectiveness in meeting operational objectives via 

predetermined indicators and outcomes. Staffing may include medical operations/plans 

officers, patient movement (evacuation) officer, environmental science officer or 

environmental health officer, and senior medical operations noncommissioned officer. 

(a) The medical operations/plans officers shall: 

1. Develop medical plans. 

2. Ensure that appropriate health care is provided for designated 

civilians, multinational military personnel, enemy prisoners of war (EPWs), and retained 

and detained personnel, per applicable agreements and US and international law. 

3. Supervise integration and use of medical augmentation teams. 

4. Develop the MASCAL treatment and evacuation plan. 

5. Coordinate the provision of medical intelligence to the joint force. 

6. Coordinate disaster relief, FHA medical augmentation, and other 

health engagement activities, as required. 

7. Establish medical communication requirements with the JTF 

communications system directorate of a joint staff (J-6). 

8. Coordinate establishment of a layered medical communications 

network among component medical units with the joint force J-6, with consideration for 

interoperability with multinational medical partners. 
Chapter II 

II-14 JP 4-02 

9. Input medical estimates into simulation models when conditions 

allow. 

10. Plan for telemedicine support capabilities that are not currently 

organic to component medical units. 

11. Determine tactical and strategic information requirements and 

points of contact (POCs). 

12. Serve as a member of the joint planning group and JMWG as 

required. 

13. Serve as chief or member of JMOC as required. 

14. Be prepared to serve as a member of the advanced echelon team 

and HAST as required. 

15. Coordinate support requirements with the J-4 and component 

logistic planners, as well as the medical planners to ensure synchronization of support 

requirements of general supply and services, as well as medical supplies. 

(b) The medical operations/plans noncommissioned officer/chief petty 

officer shall: 

1. Assist plans and medical operations officers with collection and 

evaluation of medical reports, and development and coordination of appropriate actions. 

2. Establish equipment/maps for current and future operational 

planning. 

3. Maintain the daily staff journal and ensure all incoming and 

outgoing messages and correspondence, significant events, and actions are logged. 

4. Maintain all plans and operations maps/overlays/supplies. Prepare 

briefing slides as required. 

5. Coordinate with specific Service component for medical 

support/augmentation as required. 

6. Serve as member of JMOC. 

(c) The patient movement (evacuation) officer shall: 

1. In coordination with the TPMRC (if applicable) GPMRC, organize 

and operate the JPMRC. 

2. Provide oversight of the JPMRC in their role of directing medical 

regulating and patient movement activities within the JOA, coordinate the movement of 

patients, and track hospitalization in the JOA. 
 Roles and Responsibilities 

II-15 

3. Maintain visibility of joint and multinational MTFs, TPMRC, 

component commands, GPMRC, and transportation agencies to facilitate patient flow and 

optimum use of hospitalization and evacuation assets. 

4. Designate MTFs within the JOA to receive patients based upon 

medical regulating report. 

5. Coordinate with TPMRC/GPMRC to obtain US bed designations 

for patients who will not be returned to duty within the theater patient movement policy. 

6. Serve as patient administration liaison to patient administration 

departments/sections of component and multinational MTFs. 

7. Obtain reports from component and multinational MTFs to 

consolidate requests for movement of patients out of the JOA. 

8. Advise the JFS on a daily basis of specialty bed availability 

throughout the JOA and on capabilities and limitations of supporting patient movement 

resources. 

9. Maintain a database of beds available by type within the JOA and 

cross-match patients to the MTF with the capability and capacity for the type of care 

required. 

10. Maintain visibility of individual patients within the JOA from 

initial hospital admission to disposition. 

11. Assist the JFS with the development and dissemination of theater 

patient movement procedures and guidance. 

12. Serve as the JPMRC in the JOA until one is established. 

13. Monitor and coordinate with United States Transportation 

Command (USTRANSCOM) for patient movement item (PMI) requirements. 

14. In concert with the joint force J-4 and TPMRC, develop procedures 

to transfer patients from the US medical regulating system into the HN’s MEDEVAC or 

hospitalization system as required. 

15. Monitor multinational and component MTF bed availability. 

16. Coordinate with the USTRANSCOM Regulating and Command 

and Control Evacuation System for tracking patients in the evacuation system. 

17. Develop procedures with the joint force J-1 for mutual exchange of 

information. 

18. Serve as a member of JMOC and JMWG. 
Chapter II 

II-16 JP 4-02 

(d) The environmental science officer/environmental health officer should: 

1. Provide the JFS with recommendations on policies, force structure, 

and priorities for use of PVNTMED resources. 

2. Plan, monitor, and supervise FHP operations, to include: 

a. Waste control and management. 

b. Prevention and control of DNBIs. 

c. Vector control and management. 

d. Distribution and/or administration of FHP prescriptive products, 

chemoprophylaxis, barrier creams, and immunizations. 

e. Health surveillance to include medical and OEH surveillance. 

f. Food and potable water services. 

g. Conduct epidemiological investigations on DNBI outbreaks. 

3. Maintain the PVNTMED staff journal and ensure that incoming and 

outgoing messages, correspondence, and significant activities are logged, and receive 

PVNTMED reports, highlighting significant trends. 

4. Monitor PVNTMED personnel, units, and equipment within the 

JOA. 

5. Advise the JFS on a daily basis of PVNTMED activities throughout 

the JOA. 

6. Provide the JFS with recommendations on policies regarding the 

sanitation of all aspects of food service from procurement and transportation to disposal. 

7. Serve as the medical intelligence officer. 

8. Coordinate with the joint force J-2 to provide medical intelligence 

support input to the joint intelligence preparation of the operational environment. 

9. Provide the JFS and subordinate medical units with situational 

awareness regarding the health threat of exposures to CBRN agents and OEH threats. 

10. Prepare FHP and medical intelligence/threat estimates and annexes 

of JTF OPLANs/OPORDs, ensuring that medical intelligence requirements are included 

in the appropriate annexes. 
 Roles and Responsibilities 

II-17 

11. Maintain PVNTMED overlay by coordinating with the force health 

protection section, PVNTMED detachments, and when necessary, other PVNTMED 

resources within deployed units and special teams. 

12. Serve as a member of JMOC. 

13. Be prepared to serve as a member of JMWG, advanced echelon 

team, and HAST as required. 

14. Assist in the development and delivery of health risk 

communications messages to military personnel and commanders. 

(3) Medical Logistics. The MEDLOG section is the central point for 

MEDLOG within the JFS’s office for planning, developing, and coordinating the 

MEDLOG infrastructure and support for the joint force. Staffing may include a joint 

MEDLOG officer, an area joint blood program officer, medical maintenance warrant or 

noncommissioned officer, and a joint force J-4 medical liaison officer. 

(a) The joint MEDLOG officer should: 

1. Prepare MEDLOG estimates and the logistic portion of annex Q 

(Medical Services) to joint force OPLANs. 

2. Review and evaluate medical reports to determine the availability of 

Class VIII, and determine if action is required. 

3. Monitor availability and operational readiness of critical Class VIII 

(major end item) equipment as determined by the JFS. 

4. Assist joint force medical units with maintenance and repair of 

medical equipment as required. 

5. Be aware of Service Class VIII capabilities, limitations, tactics, 

techniques, procedures, personnel, and equipment sets. 

6. Develop and coordinate logistics recommendations as necessary and 

present to the JFS for approval. 

7. Prepare and coordinate draft messages/correspondence and present 

to the JFS for approval and release. 

8. Maintain contact with each component surgeons’ logistics section. 

9. Assist JMOC with logistics issues and with other issues/actions as 

required. 
Chapter II 

II-18 JP 4-02 

10. Interface with the theater lead agent for medical materiel 

(TLAMM) and/or the single integrated medical logistics manager (SIMLM) and joint 

force J-4 medical liaison as required. 

11. Coordinate transportation for medical units, personnel, supplies, 

and equipment with the joint force J-4 medical liaison; if a joint force J-4 medical liaison 

is not available, coordinate with the joint deployment and distribution operations center 

(JDDOC) and joint force J-4. 

12. Monitor status and availability of medical CBRN equipment. 

13. In coordination with the environmental science 

officer/environmental health officer, medical plans and operations section, and joint force 

J-4, identify available sites within the JOA to set up joint MTFs. 

14. Maintain liaison and communications with the Defense Logistics 

Agency (DLA) as the executive agent and lead agent for MEDLOG and CCMD 

MEDLOG officer. 

15. In coordination with the joint force J-4, maintain a listing of 

foreign sources of supply for consideration to reduce strategic lift, improve the range of 

items available, and shorten order fulfillment times; and coordinate contracts required for 

HN medical support. 

16. Implement policies and procedures for the removal of medical 

wastes with the JTF J-4. 

17. Facilitate joint use of health care services and facilities. 

18. Serve as a member of JMOC. 

19. Serve as a member of the JMWG. 

20. Review any applicable performance-based agreements which affect 

MEDLOG operations. 

(b) The joint blood program office (JBPO) should: 

1. Manage the joint blood as the single manager for blood products in 

the JOA. 

2. Coordinate, monitor, and ensure component blood programs, blood 

product requirements, and capabilities within the JOA are managed and maintained in 

accordance with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines/requirements. 

3. Assess need for an AJBPO and if required, form, organize, and 

operate the AJBPO. 
 Roles and Responsibilities 

II-19 

4. Monitor the joint force blood inventory status as required and brief 

status through the daily blood report. 

5. Prepare CONOPS and the joint blood program portion of annex Q 

(Medical Services) to joint force plans and OPORDs. 

6. Advise the JFS regarding management, policies, and procedures for 

handling blood and blood products. 

7. Coordinate blood distribution for and between component Services 

within the JOA. 

8. Establish procedures and publish instructions for disposal or 

destruction of excess and outdated blood. 

9. Maintain liaison with the blood support detachments, expeditionary 

blood transshipment centers (BTCs), and the JBPO at the CCMD surgeon’s office for 

reporting and coordination purposes. 

10. Plan the handling, storage, and distribution of blood components 

within JOA. 

11. Consolidate and forward requirements for resupply of blood 

products to the JBPO based on the JFS’s guidance. 

12. Assist the JFS with the development and dissemination of JOA 

blood management policies, procedures, and guidance. 

13. Compile area blood reports and forward as appropriate. 

14. Be prepared to serve as a member of JMWG as required. 

15. Serve as a member of JMOC as required. 

(c) Conduit to the J-4 for MEDLOG issues in conjunction with the JMOC 

MEDLOG planner. 

(4) Force Health Protection. The FHP section’s primary function is to assist 

the JFS and component surgeons with establishing policies and procedures to deliver a 

healthy and fit force, prevent casualties, and maintain the health of the joint force while 

deployed. Staffing may include an industrial hygiene officer/bioenvironmental 

engineering officer, sanitary engineer, veterinary services officer, or PVNTMED/public 

health officer/public health nurse. The joint force FHP officer will normally be 

designated from the joint force FHP staff by the JFS. 

(a) The FHP officer should: 
Chapter II 

II-20 JP 4-02 

1. Assist the JFS in employing risk management principles for 

managing health risks to enhance mission effectiveness during joint operations. 

2. Obtain and maintain medical intelligence and identify and assess 

health threats. 

3. Evaluate and characterize OEH threats and recommend control 

measures to eliminate or reduce the risks in JOA. Ensure the completion of preliminary 

food/water vulnerability assessments, initial health risk assessments, and preliminary 

hazard assessments for basing locations. Communicate the health risks and impact on the 

mission to the JFS. 

4. Collaborate with CCMD surgeon’s FHP officer to assist the JFS 

with establishing predeployment and post-deployment guidance. 

5. Using risk management principles, evaluate the health threat 

controls being used in the operational environment to ensure they are adequately 

mitigating the risks. Provide an analysis to JFS. 

6. Provide the JFS with recommendations on policies, force structure, 

and priorities of effort for sanitation, entomological, and sanitary engineering resources. 

7. Assist the environmental science officer/environmental health 

officer in the plans and operations section in monitoring PVNTMED and environmental 

operations. 

8. Establish and foster liaison relationships to include, but not limited 

to the joint force J-2, J-3; National Center for Medical Intelligence (NCMI); Centers for 

Disease Control and Prevention; Defense Threat Reduction Agency; USMC Chemical 

Biological Incident Response Force; USA Research, Development, and Engineering 

Command; Armed Forces Radiobiological Institute; USA Medical Research Institute of 

Infectious Disease; USA Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense; and NGOs, 

IGOs, USG departments and agencies, civilian, and multinational personnel as required 

to facilitate support to civil-military operations. 

9. Collaborate with CCMD surgeon’s FHP officer and CBRN medical 

experts to provide the JFS with procedures for medical operations in a CBRN 

environment. 

10. Communicate health risks and countermeasures for the JOA to 

deploying personnel and to redeploying personnel and their health care providers. 

11. Develop population-based OEH exposure data summaries for 

archival in the Defense Occupational and Environmental Health Reporting System 

(DOEHRS) data portal per DODI 6490.03, Deployment Health, and DODD 6490.02, 

Comprehensive Health Surveillance. Individual health treatment for environmental or 

CBRN exposure should be documented in the individuals’ medical records. 
 Roles and Responsibilities 

II-21 

12. Be prepared to serve as a member of JMOC, JMWG, advanced 

echelon team, and HAST as required. 

13. Incorporate a deployment health surveillance plan and readiness 

requirements and a theater medical surveillance capability into annex Q (Medical 

Services). 

14. Establish procedures to submit OEH surveillance data and reports 

to the joint force and the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center (AFHSC). 

15. Prepare the concept of veterinary operations to the FHP portion of 

annex Q (Medical Services) to joint force OPLANs/OPORDs. 

16. Provide the JFS with recommendations on veterinary operations to 

include policies, force structure, and priorities for use of veterinary resources. 

17. Provide the JFS with advice and procedural recommendations for 

the control of existing or anticipated animal and zoonotic diseases that may be of 

significance for human disease prevention, for food production interests, or as 

bioterrorism threats. 

18. Plan, monitor, and supervise veterinary operations, to include: the 

inspection of food and food sources; establishing a food quality control system for source 

establishments supporting the theater; food recall procedures for all subsistence items in 

the JOA; import laws and regulations of foreign countries; control of animal and zoonotic 

diseases of military significance; establishing standards and levels of veterinary care and 

treatment of military animals (primarily military working dogs) to include medical and 

surgical support; and treatment of animals other than military-owned animals as required. 

19. Maintain liaison with veterinarians of higher HQ, those of US, 

multinational and foreign government departments and agencies, the joint force J-4 

medical liaison, the joint force J-4 operational contract support coordination staff (could 

be in J-4 or supporting contracting command, if established), and joint force food service 

officer. 

20. Provide the JFS, in coordination with the PVNTMED officer, 

recommendations on policies regarding the sanitation of all aspects of food service from 

procurement and transportation to disposal. 

21. Advise the JFS on foreign animal diseases that may affect 

redeployment of military equipment back to the US or partner nations and coordinate 

with the appropriate governmental departments and agencies as required. 

22. Investigate claims concerning injury or death of indigenous 

animals resulting from military operations as appropriate. 
Chapter II 

II-22 JP 4-02 

23. Provide guidance on decontamination procedures for US-owned 

equipment retrograding to the US and partner nations to prevent the transmission of 

animal diseases. 

24. Conduct staff visits and inspections of joint force component 

veterinary facilities and units. 

25. Serve as a member of JMOC. 

26. Be prepared to serve as a member of the JMWG, advanced echelon 

team, and HAST as required. 

(b) The PVNTMED officer/public health officer/public health nurse 

should: 

1. Provide the JFS with required medical information and the 

evaluation and interpretation of medical statistical data. 

2. Triage and screen medical indicators of exposure through baseline 

level changes. 

3. Provide population health support to the JTF. 

4. Assist the joint force FHP officer with designing and developing 

predeployment and post-deployment guidance. 

5. Provide available health risk assessment information to redeploying 

units and their health care providers. 

6. Assist the joint force FHP officer with establishing procedures for 

reporting DNBI, reportable medical events, OEH surveillance data, and documenting all 

joint force personnel exposure to CBRN elements. 

7. Be prepared to provide education and counseling to a targeted 

civilian populace regarding health maintenance and promotion and disease prevention 

during FHA and civil-military operations. 

8. Be prepared to collaborate with other joint force medical personnel 

and assess the physical, psychosocial, and health care status of a targeted civilian 

populace (to include displaced civilians) and develop a health maintenance and wellness 

plan of care during FHA and civil-military operations. 

9. Be prepared to serve as a member of JMOC, JMWG, advanced 

echelon team, and HAST as required. 

10. Provide technical consultative support on medical issues related to 

CBRN casualty care, to include development of plans for MASCAL operations. 
 Roles and Responsibilities 

II-23 

(5) Medical Liaison Officers. Liaison officer section’s primary functions are 

to monitor, coordinate, advise, synchronize, and facilitate multinational medical 

contributions. Its role is to foster effective coordination between multinational medical 

staffs, advise the JFS regarding the optimal utilization of multinational medical 

capabilities, and facilitate the appropriate use of health engagement activities that 

enhance short and long-term health sector goals. Staffing may include an international 

health specialist, HN medical liaison officer, multinational medical liaison officer, USG 

liaison officer, and/or an IGO/NGO liaison officer. 

(a) The international health specialist on the joint force staff should 

primarily be prepared to provide advice and expertise to the JFS for economic and social 

factors support to medical planning by identifying potential opportunities for medical 

civil-military operations, humanitarian and civic assistance, humanitarian assistance 

program-excess property, and other related programs. 

(b) HN and multination force medical liaison officers should: 

1. Monitor, coordinate, advise, and assist the JFS as required. 

2. Advise the JFS on the medical capabilities/limitation of their service 

or country. 

3. Establish communications with their command. 

4. Possess language or translation capability. 

5. Have connectivity with their HQ and provide continuous 

coordination and ensure cooperation between units. 

6. Be informed of the operational status of their unit. 

7. Facilitate the submission of required reports from their unit to the 

JFS as required. 

8. Advise the JFS regarding the optimal utilization of their service or 

country’s medical capabilities. 

9. Attend JFS’s daily battle update assessment meeting and be familiar 

with and prepared to brief unit plans, movement plans, and when required, movement 

times to critical locations. 

10. Be prepared to serve as a member of JMOC. 

4. Joint Force Surgeon’s Office Battle Rhythm 

a. The JFS’s office daily operations cycle or “battle rhythm” is developed by the 

deputy JFS and is normally maintained in the JMOC. The purpose of the JFS’s office 

battle rhythm is to provide the JFS’s staff with a daily schedule of events necessary to 
Chapter II 

II-24 JP 4-02 

support the joint force mission. The JFS’s office battle rhythm reflects the times of the 

day for recurring events of interest to the JFS’s staff and is employed as a tool for 

ensuring information is available, so that the staff can predict when key elements of 

mutual influence for the commander, CCMD surgeon, and JTF components are required. 

All JFS staff sections provide input to the deputy JFS in the development of the JFS 

office battle rhythm. They are responsible for participating in the various JTF briefings 

and meetings as indicated in the battle rhythm and ensuring that key information products 

and reports are obtained, transmitted to the commander and higher HQ, and posted and 

maintained on the JFS’s homepage. Changes to the JFS’s office battle rhythm are 

typically announced during the JFS’s daily update brief. Once the office battle rhythm is 

approved, the JMOC chief or the JMOC battle captain ensures the JFS’s office battle 

rhythm is posted to the JFS’s Web page (see Figure II-2). 

Sample Joint Force

Surgeon’s Office Battle Rhythm

0300z Joint Medical Operations Center shift change (Shift Change Brief)

0400z Reports due to the Joint Force Surgeon: Blood Report, Medical 

Situation Report, Medical Logistics Report, Medical Regulating Report, 

Weekly Disease and Nonbattle Injury Report, and so on.

0600z Staff inputs due for Morning Updates

0800z Joint force commander Morning Update (Joint Operations Center 

Conference Room)

0830z Joint Planning Group Meeting

0930z Commander’s Planning Guidance and/or Operations Synchronization 

Meeting

1000z Joint force Surgeon's Daily Battle Update Brief

1030z Joint Personnel Status Report

1100z Daily joint force commander situation report input due

1200z Chief of Staff Update (Staff Meeting)

1330z Joint Medical Working Group (Medical Planners Meeting)

1400z Combatant Command Surgeon Conference Call Update

1500z Joint Medical Operations Center shift change (Shift Change Brief)

1530z Staff inputs for Evening Updates

1600z Joint Force Surgeon’s Conference Call With Component 

Surgeons/Medical Support Units

1700z Joint Force Commander Evening Update (Joint Operations Center 

Conference Room)

1900z Web Page Updates Posted

2400z Joint force commander situation report released

Figure II-2. Sample Joint Task Force Surgeon’s Office Battle Rhythm 
 Roles and Responsibilities 

II-25 

b. The following are some recommendations the JFS should consider when 

providing guidance regarding the JFS’s office battle rhythm: 

(1) Start with the JFC’s battle rhythm. The JFS’s office battle rhythm must 

conform to the JFC’s. 

(2) Identify those events and activities that occur on a recurring basis. 

(3) Provide desires concerning staff updates and meetings that the JFS will 

normally attend. Information should include: 

(a) Any requirements for staff updates prior to meetings with the JFC, chief 

of staff, CCMD surgeon, or component surgeons. 

(b) Times for meetings with JFC, chief of staff, CCMD surgeon and 

component surgeons (video teleconferencing, telephone, other). 

(c) Frequency and potential meeting times of JFS’s office staff updates 

(such as, informal morning update and a more formal evening update). 

(d) Nature of the updates (such as types of information to be presented can 

drive the time required to conduct the updates). 

(4) Integrate appropriate functions of HSS and FHP into the joint force battle 

rhythm. 

5. Staff Organizations 

a. The JFS may establish staff organizations or may be asked to provide medical 

liaison relationships and membership to internal joint force organizations to coordinate 

medical issues. These staff organizations and internal joint force organizations may 

include and are not limited to: JPMRC, AJBPO, JMOC, JMWG, joint planning group, J-4 

medical liaison cell, civil-military operations center, advanced echelon team, and HAST. 

b. The establishment of staff organizations are described as follows: 

(1) JPMRC 

(a) The JPMRC provides the theater patient movement requirements 

capability for a joint force. It may be a “stand-alone” entity operating within a JOA or 

subordinate to and may receive direction from the GPMRC or the supporting patient 

movement requirements center (PMRC). The JPMRC performs integrated patient 

movement tasks for units assigned to the joint force or within the JOA and may 

coordinate through the TPMRC to request and schedule strategic AE support or work 

directly with the GPMRC as required. The JPMRC membership is coordinated between 

the CCMD surgeon and the GPMRC. Since patient movement requires intratheater and 

intertheater lift, it is critical that the JPMRC communicate requirements to the JFS J-4 

liaison officer to ensure seamless patient flow. 
Chapter II 

II-26 JP 4-02 

(b) Joint Patient Movement Requirements Coordination. The purpose 

of JPMRC coordination is to functionally integrate medical regulation responsibilities 

(the proper MTF specialty bed), transportation movement requirements (best mode of 

transportation, such as airframes/ships/land), mission requirements determination (the 

right medical crew members and medical equipment), coordination, and related activities 

supporting JTF patient movement requirements. The JPMRC provides TPMRC type, 

automated information system support and operations for a JTF. Normally, supporting 

activities will be established to support joint force patient movement operations within 

the designated JOA. When operating within an area that already has an established 

TPMRC, the TPMRC will maintain overall visibility for theater patient movement 

operations, but the JPMRC is responsible for patient movement operations within the 

JOA and coordinates with the TPMRC for intratheater patient movement and the 

GPMRC for intertheater patient movement. Information affecting overall theater 

operations will be reported to the respective TPMRC per procedures established in the 

specific OPORD. Elements potentially supporting joint force integrated patient 

movement operations are: 

1. Joint force patient movement liaison officers established, as 

required, when the JPMRC is not colocated with or in close proximity to the JFS and 

staff. The joint force patient movement liaison officers: 

a. Coordinate patient movement issues with and obtain required 

patient movement information updates from the JPMRC. 

b. Provide the JFS and staff with information regarding patient 

movement activities, issues, capabilities, and workload. 

c. In coordination with the JPMRC and supporting TPMRC, 

obtain joint force staff coordination and approval on patient movement issues, as 

required. 

2. Deployable joint patient movement teams provided by 

USTRANSCOM, or other appropriate CCMDs, provide patient movement expertise and 

support the integration of patient movement operations and information. Although 

USTRANSCOM has the DOD mission to provide these resources, support may also be 

provided by other CCMDs if a particular expertise is needed (such as an individual from 

the host TPMRC to provide a unique theater perspective not available in 

USTRANSCOM-provided elements). Deployable joint patient movement teams: 

a. Establish or augment a JPMRC. 

b. Augment a TPMRC. 

c. Deploy to intertheater or out of operational area interface points 

to support patient reporting and collection of required patient movement information. 

d. Provide data to the supported TPMRC. 
 Roles and Responsibilities 

II-27 

For more information on the PMRCs, see Appendix B, “Patient Movement.”

(2) Area Joint Program Blood Office

(a) The CCMD surgeon may direct the establishment of an AJBPO to 

provide regional blood management in the theater. The AJBPO may be established upon 

activation of a JTF as outlined in the respective OPLAN or OPORD. 

(b) The functions of an AJBPO are similar to a JBPO, but in a limited 

geographical area. The AJBPO: 

1. Coordinates blood requirements and distribution of blood and blood 

products to support all the blood support medical detachments (MDBSs) and MTFs in the 

AJBPO area regardless of Service component. This includes defining the distribution 

system for blood and blood products at all roles from the supporting expeditionary BTC 

or MDBS down to the MTF and select Role 2 sites. 

2. Evaluates in-theater emergency blood collecting activities, blood 

product depots, expeditionary BTCs, MDBSs, and MTF transfusion services within the 

operational area to ensure the requirements of the JBPO are supported or addressed in the 

CCDR and/or JTF OPLAN/OPORD. 

See Appendix E, “Blood Management,” for more information on the Armed Services 

Blood Program Office. 

(3) Joint Medical Operations Center

(a) In order to facilitate and provide responsive health services to the joint 

force, medical resources must be effectively organized and synchronized to support joint 

operations. 

(b) The JMOC is organized with essential staff to plan, coordinate, and 

harmonize the joint force’s HSS and FHP operations. The major functions of the JMOC 

are to: 

1. Provide a central location for medical planning and operations. 

2. Monitor current and future operations and conduct required support 

planning. 

3. Determine medical sustainment requirements. 

4. Apprise the JFS and JFC on the status of health support to the joint 

force. 

5. Coordinate support requirements with the supported CCMD 

surgeon. 
Chapter II 

II-28 JP 4-02 

6. Maintain visibility of medical unit locations, capabilities, logistic 

status, and overall medical system readiness. 

7. Coordinate with the joint force staff in all areas to include J-1 thru J6, and personal or special staff. 

8. Manage and maintain situation reports regarding joint force medical 

operations. 

9. Characterize disease and environmental threats within the JOA. 

10. Develop medical concepts and countermeasures to mitigate disease 

and environmental threats. 

11. Ensure FHP within the JOA. 

12. Synchronize health engagement activities with all operations and 

with functional stakeholders. 

(c) Staffing of the JMOC is situational dependent and would normally 

include the following positions: 

1. Patient movement (evacuation) officer. 

2. Operations officer (chief). 

3. Plans officer. 

4. Senior medical plans noncommissioned officer/chief petty officer. 

5. Medical operations noncommissioned officer/chief petty officer. 

6. Environmental science officer/environmental health officer (also 

functions as medical intelligence officer). 

7. Industrial hygiene officer/bioenvironmental engineering 

officer/sanitary engineer. 

8. Joint MEDLOG officer. 

9. HN liaison(s)/international health specialist. 

10. International governmental organization/NGO and USG liaison(s). 

11. Multinational forces liaison(s). 

12. Administrative staff (clerk/typists and noncommissioned 

officer/chief petty officer support as required). 
 Roles and Responsibilities 

II-29 

(d) Note: The JMOC does not replace the AJBPO or the TPMRC. These 

offices remain operational as defined by applicable directives instructions. Resource 

staffing for the JMOC is accomplished with members assigned to the functional areas of 

the JFS’s staff. 

(4) Joint Medical Working Group

(a) The JMWG provides a forum for medical planners to validate, 

coordinate, and synchronize issues identified through the logistic coordination board of 

the standing joint force HQ or the joint force joint planning group, and from other joint 

force boards and centers as appropriate. Once established, the JMWG functions are 

integrated into the JFS’s staff battle rhythm. 

(b) JMWG core membership includes: 

1. CCMD medical planner. 

2. Joint force medical planner. 

3. Joint force patient movement officer. 

4. Joint force joint MEDLOG officer. 

5. Joint force J-4 medical liaison officer. 

6. Joint force component medical planners. 

7. Chief medical officer, as necessary. 

(c) JMWG supporting membership includes: 

1. Deputy JFS. 

2. Joint force industrial hygiene officer/bioenvironmental engineering 

officer/sanitary engineer. 

3. Joint environmental science officer/environmental health officer. 

4. Area joint blood program officer. 

5. Joint international health specialist officer. 

6. Veterinary services officer. 

7. PVNTMED/public health officer/public health nurse. 

(5) J-4 Medical Liaison Cell. The joint force J-4 medical liaison cell functions 

as a coordinating cell for health service logistic planning and operations and serves as a 

conduit from the JFS’s staff to the joint force J-4 in support of medical sustainment 
Chapter II 

II-30 JP 4-02 

requirements as they relate to logistics to include contracting, engineering, transportation, 

medical supplies, Class I for hospitalized patients, and personnel services. 

(6) Joint Planning Group

(a) The joint planning group is the joint force’s planning organization 

consisting of designated representatives of the joint force HQ principal and special staff 

sections, joint force components, and other supporting organizations as deemed necessary 

by the JFC. The joint planning group is a task-organized team formed to conduct 

integrated planning for a specific mission. The role of the joint planning group is to 

support the commander’s decision-making process. Its primary responsibilities include, 

but are not limited to, crisis action planning (to include COA development), JTF OPORD 

development, and planning for future operations (such as transitioning, termination, 

follow-on). 

(b) The medical member to the joint planning group should: 

1. Integrate joint force HSS and FHP effort as a medical representative 

on the planning group. 

2. Evaluate and assess health support for various COA scenarios 

developed during joint planning group planning sessions. 

3. Develop medical plans in support of various OPLANs and 

OPORDs. 

4. Identify joint medical resources to meet medical support 

requirements for crisis and contingency operations. 

5. Establish the JMWG. 

(7) Civil-Military Operations Center

(a) The civil-military operations center is an ad hoc organization, normally 

established by the CCDR or subordinate JFC, to assist in the coordination of activities of 

engaged military forces and other USG departments and agencies, NGOs, and IGOs. 

There is no established structure, and its size and composition are situation dependent. 

The JFS may be asked to provide medical liaison to the civil-military operations center. 

(b) The medical liaison to the civil-military operations center should be 

prepared to: 

1. Advise the JFS regarding the optimal use of joint force medical 

assets during civil-military operations. 

2. Advise the JFS on civilian health care infrastructure, cultural 

factors, medical resources and interagency medical requirements, capabilities, and 

limitations within the JOA. 
 Roles and Responsibilities 

II-31 

3. Provide the JFS with recommendations to develop policies 

regarding the use of military medical supplies for the treatment of displaced civilians 

with standards appropriate to HN or local area. 

4. Be prepared to provide sanitation and medical requirements for 

displaced civilian camps and assembly areas per annex Q (Medical Services) of the 

OPLAN when requested by appropriate authority. 

5. Maintain connectivity with the JFS and JMOC, and provide 

continuous coordination and ensure cooperation between civil-military operations center 

and the JFS’s office. 

6. Establish and foster working relationships with key NGOs, IGOs, 

and multinational medical forces. 

7. Coordinate and assist with the prevention, control, and treatment of 

endemic or epidemic disease within the civilian population that affects military 

operations. 

8. Coordinate with the JFS for health support required in displaced 

civilian assembly areas and camps. 

9. Be prepared to provide technical expertise and assistance in 

identifying and assessing foreign national public and private health care systems, 

resources, facilities, and sanitation systems. 

10. Be prepared to assist with and, when necessary, conduct 

assessments and area studies of public health systems as required. 

11. Assist with mission planning on military medical interaction with 

civilians and medical units. 

12. Assist with the transition operations of military-run medical 

operations to civilian authorities. 

13. Determine the capabilities and effectiveness of health and 

sanitation systems and the impact of those systems on civil-military operations. 

14. Coordinate the use of foreign national government and private 

health resources for civil-military operations, and in support of government 

administration. 

15. Be prepared to provide advice and assistance in establishing 

technical requirements for public health services and resources to support government 

administration (such as clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, food preparation and storage, 

ambulance transportation, medical personnel, and education). 
Chapter II 

II-32 JP 4-02 

16. Provide advice and coordination in rehabilitating, establishing, 

delivering, and maintaining government public health systems and agencies during civilmilitary operations. 

(8) Advanced Echelon Team/Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team

(a) An advanced echelon team or a HAST is often established to provide a 

minimum capability for C2 during the buildup of the joint force and to conduct a military 

assessment of the situation and obtain, develop, and communicate critical information to 

assist the CCDR and commander. These teams can assist in clarifying the joint force 

mission, determine force requirements to accomplish the mission, establish a sequence 

for force deployment, evaluate HN support, and determine if there are ongoing operations 

being conducted by other than military forces. Medical personnel assigned to augment 

the advanced echelon team or a HAST provide medical support, assess HN medical 

systems (to include information on cultural issues relevant to interactions with HN 

medical systems), participate in the selection of bed-down locations for the joint force, 

validate the preliminary hazard assessment, and conduct an environmental health site 

assessment, as needed. 

(b) Medical membership to the advanced echelon team or a HAST may 

consist of the following JFS staff: 

1. Core membership: 

a. Environmental science officer/environmental health officer; 

and/or industrial hygiene officer/bioenvironmental engineering officer. 

b. Joint force medical planner. 

2. Supporting membership: 

a. Joint force international health specialist officer. 

b. Veterinary services officer. 

c. PVNTMED officer/public health officer. 

See DODI 6490.03, Deployment Health, for more information on requirements for an 

environmental health site assessment.

6. Joint Force Surgeon Reachback 

a. To make the best use of all available medical technologies and resources, the JFS 

may extend beyond the joint force’s organic medical capabilities to identify and bring to 

bear resources not immediately available in the JOA. Reachback allows for medical 

infrastructure support services that sustain forward-deployed medical forces to transfer 

products and ideas as they are required in the JOA. It also provides a channel to contact 
 Roles and Responsibilities 

II-33 

subject matter experts (SMEs) when a technical issue exceeds the joint force’s medical 

SMEs’ capability. 

b. The JFS reachback capability network includes the CCDR staff, supporting and 

other CCMD SMEs, Service SMEs, other USG departments and agencies, designated 

multinational partners, academic and industrial sources, and both technical linkages and 

personal relationships developed through training and habitual associations. The JFS 

should consider the following when employing reachback: 

(1) Reachback can be accomplished through various means to include 

secure/unsecure e-mail, telephone, Web sites, and video conferencing. 

(2) Reachback resources have other primary missions and may not be 

specifically staffed to support continuous reachback. 

(3) Reachback can also result from a request for assistance. 

(4) Reachback should be conducted using established CCMD surgeon’s 

protocols and SOPs if available, or JFS protocols and SOPs. 

(5) Video teleconferencing reachback capability requires the joint force J-6 to 

plan and integrate video teleconferencing reachback support into its communications 

system support plans and structure, and provide the required/dedicated bandwidth to the 

JFS’s staff. 
Chapter II 

II-34 JP 4-02 

Intentionally Blank 
III-1 

CHAPTER III

HEALTH SERVICE SUPPORT

1. Casualty Management 

Roles of Medical Care. A characteristic of health support is the distribution of 

medical resources and capabilities to provide roles of medical care. Policy provides the 

framework from which the medical community derives the direction and identifies the 

requisite people, materiel, facilities, and information to promote, improve, conserve, or 

restore well-being. 

a. Role 1

(1) The first medical care military personnel receive is provided at Role 1 (also 

referred to as unit-level medical care). This role of care includes:

(a) Immediate lifesaving measures.

(b) DNBI prevention and care. 

(c) Combat and operational stress preventive measures. 

(d) Patient location and acquisition (collection).

(e) Treatment provided by designated combat medics, treatment squads, or 

animal care specialists for working animals. (Major emphasis is placed on those 

measures necessary for the patient to return to duty or to stabilize him and allow for his 

evacuation to the next role of care. These measures include maintaining the airway, 

stopping bleeding, preventing shock, protecting wounds, immobilizing fractures, and 

other emergency measures, as indicated.)

(2) Self-Aid and Buddy Aid. All military personnel are trained in a variety of 

basic first-aid procedures. These procedures include aid for chemical casualties with 

particular emphasis on lifesaving tasks. This training enables the military personnel to 

apply first aid to alleviate potential life-threatening situations.

(3) Combat Lifesaver. The combat lifesaver is a nonmedical military 

personnel selected by their unit commander for additional training beyond basic first-aid 

procedures. A minimum of one individual per squad, crew, team, or equivalent-sized 

unit should be trained. The primary duty of this individual does not change. The 

additional duty of the combat lifesaver is to provide enhanced first aid for injuries based 

on his or her training before the medical care arrives. Combat lifesaver training is 

“The great thing in all military service is health.”

Admiral Lord Nelson, Letter to Dr. Moseley,

October 1803
Chapter III

III-2 JP 4-02 

normally provided by medical personnel assigned, attached, or in sustainment units. The 

senior medical person designated by the commander manages the training program. 

(4) Medical Personnel. Role 1 provides primary health care, specialized first 

aid, triage, resuscitation, and stabilization. Normally included within the basic Role 1 

capabilities are routine sick call and the management of minor sick and injured personnel 

for immediate return to duty as well as casualty collection from the point of wounding 

and preparation of casualties for evacuation to the rear. SOF medical treatment is 

provided by medical personnel with enhanced medical skills, the physician, or the 

physician assistant.

b. Role 2

(1) Role 2 provides advanced trauma management and emergency medical 

treatment including continuation of resuscitation started in Role 1. Role 2 provides a 

greater capability to resuscitate trauma patients than is available at Role 1. If necessary, 

additional emergency measures are instituted, but they do not go beyond the measures 

dictated by immediate necessities. Role 2 care has the capability to provide packed red 

blood cells (RBCs) (liquid), limited x-ray, laboratory, dental support, combat and 

operational stress control, PVTMED, and Role 2 veterinary medical and resuscitative 

surgical support. Role 2 has a limited hold capability (i.e., no bed capacity). Role 2 is 

classified into Role 2 light maneuver (2LM) and Role 2 enhanced (2E). 

(2) Role 2 LM are light, highly mobile medical units designed to support land 

maneuver formations (normally brigade level). A Role 2LM medical unit is able to 

conduct advanced resuscitation procedures up to damage control surgery. It will 

evacuate its post-surgical cases to Role 3 (or 2E for stabilization and possible primary 

surgery) before evacuation to Role 4. 

(3) 2E provides basic secondary health care, built around primary surgery, 

intensive care unit, and ward beds. A 2E MTF is able to stabilize post-surgical cases for 

evacuation to Role 4 without the requirement to first route them through a higher Role 3 

facility. 

(4) Role 2 care should have the minimum capability for packed RBCs. 

Additional blood product support to include frozen plasma, cryoprecipitate, and platelets 

should be considered based on desired level of trauma management and availability of 

necessary supporting equipment and supplies. 

c. Role 3. In Role 3, the patient is treated in an MTF or veterinary facility (for 

working animals) that is staffed and equipped to provide care to all categories of patients, 

to include resuscitation, initial wound surgery, and post-operative treatment. This role of 

care expands the support provided at Role 2. Patients who are unable to tolerate and 

survive movement over long distances receive surgical care in a hospital as close to the 

supported unit as the tactical situation allows. This role includes provisions for:

(1) Evacuating patients from supported units. 
Health Service Support 

III-3 

(2) Providing care for all categories of patients in an MTF with the proper staff 

and equipment. 

(3) Providing support on an area basis to units without organic medical assets. 

d. Role 4. Role 4 medical care is found in US base hospitals and robust overseas 

facilities. Mobilization requires expansion of military hospital capacities and the 

inclusion of Department of Veterans Affairs and civilian hospital beds in the National 

Disaster Medical System to meet the increased demands created by the evacuation of 

patients from the area of responsibility. The support-base hospitals represent the most 

definitive medical care available within the medical care system.

2. Patient Movement

a. The patient movement mission consists of unregulated and regulated movement, 

via CASEVAC, MEDEVAC, and/or AE from the point of patient injury, illness, or 

wounding, through successive roles of care within the theater, to include evacuation to 

definitive care when warranted. 

b. Patient movement is the system which provides the vital linkage between the 

roles of care necessary to sustain the patient during transport. This is accomplished by 

providing en route medical care and emergency medical intervention, if required, and to 

enhance the individual’s prognosis and to reduce long-term disability.

c. Patient movement occurs at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels and 

requires the synchronization and integration of Service component patient movement 

resources and procedures. 

d. Patient movement is a multifaceted mission accomplished by a combination of 

dedicated ground and/or dedicated or designated air evacuation platforms synchronized to 

provide direct support, general support, and area support within the JOA. At the tactical 

level, organic, or direct support CASEVAC and/or MEDEVAC resources locate, acquire, 

treat, and evacuate military personnel from the point of injury or wounding to an 

appropriate MTF where they are stabilized, prioritized, and, if required, decontaminated 

and prepared for further evacuation to an MTF capable of providing required essential 

care within the JOA.

e. Although the most recognized mission of MEDEVAC assets is the evacuation and 

provision of en route medical care to the wounded, the essential and vital functions of 

MEDEVAC resources encompass many additional missions and tasks that support the 

medical mission. MEDEVAC resources are used to transfer patients within the JOA and 

from MTFs to patient staging elements; emergency movement of Class VIII, blood and 

blood products, medical personnel and equipment; and serve as messengers in medical 

channels.
Chapter III

III-4 JP 4-02 

f. Medical Regulating

(1) Medical regulating is a casualty management system designed to coordinate 

the movement of patients from site of injury or onset of disease through successive roles 

of medical care to an appropriate MTF.

(2) The factors that influence the scheduling of patient movement include:

(a) Patient’s medical condition (stabilized to withstand evacuation).

(b) Tactical situation.

(c) Availability of evacuation means.

(d) Locations of MTFs with special capabilities or resources.

(e) Current bed status of MTFs. 

(f) Surgical backlogs.

(g) Number and location of patients by diagnostic category. 

(h) Location of airfields, seaports, and other transportation hubs. 

(i) Communications capabilities (to include radio silence procedures). 

See Appendix B, “Patient Movement,” for more information on patient movement.

3. Medical Logistics 

a. MEDLOG is an integral component of the Military Health System that provides 

capabilities to organize and provide life-cycle management of the specialized medical 

products and services required to operate an integrated health system anywhere in the 

world. MEDLOG provides intensive management for planning and executing MEDLOG 

support operations to include medical distribution (which includes transportation 

planning and coordination), medical equipment maintenance and repair, blood 

management, optical fabrication and repair, and the centralized management of PMIs. It 

also includes contracting support, medical hazardous waste management and disposal, 

and the production and distribution of medical gases. The appropriate command surgeon 

provides technical guidance. The system is anticipatory, with select units capable of 

operating in a split-based mode.

b. Figure III-1 describes the primary tasks and purposes of the MEDLOG function. 

See Appendix D, “Medical Logistics Support,” for more information on logistics support. 
Health Service Support 

III-5 

Primary Tasks and Purposes of the

Medical Logistics Function

Medical materiel management

Organize and provide life-cycle management of medical 

materiel, including pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, 

medical assemblages, and medical gases. Plan and 

execute the provision of medical supplies in compliance 

with all applicable national standards and ensure 

coordination among joint logistics partners for end-to-end 

distribution of medical supplies required to sustain health 

readiness.

Medical equipment and technology

Organize and provide life-cycle management of medical 

equipment, including the assessment and integration of 

medical technology and the acquisition, integrated logistics 

support, fielding, sustainment and disposition of medical 

equipment required for health readiness.

Medical equipment maintenance and repair

Organize and manage the maintenance of medical 

equipment. Plan for and execute the sustainment of 

medical equipment through preventive maintenance, repair 

services, and calibration at the organizational and support 

maintenance levels.

Optical fabrication and repair

Organize and manage the fabrication, repair, and delivery 

of spectacles and prescription protective eyewear. Plan 

and execute optical fabrication and repair services to meet 

the vision health and protection requirements of the force.

Blood management (distribution)

Provide collection, manufacturing, storage, and distribution 

of blood and blood products to echelons above brigade 

medical units and other operations.

Centralized management of patient movement 

items

Support in-transit patients, exchange in-kind patient 

movement items without degrading medical capabilities, 

and provide prompt recycling of patient movement items 

from initial movement, to the patient’s final destination.

Health facilities planning and management

Organize and manage the life-cycle management of 

medical facilities required for delivery of health services in 

compliance with all applicable national standards.

Medical logistics services

Organize and provide medically unique logistics services 

and functions essential to the provision of health service

support to the joint force including in compliance with all 

applicable national standards. Includes the proper 

collection, control, transportation, and disposal of regulated 

medical waste in conjunction with preventive medicine. 

Medical contracting 

Organize and manage the provision of contract support to 

acquire medical products and services in support of 

Military Health System requirements. Requires the ability 

to acquire and assess information for development of 

contract requirements or Performance Work Statement(s); 

the ability to administer appropriate contractual instruments 

for medical products and services and the ability to collect, 

monitor and analyze measures of medical contract 

performance.

Figure III-1. Primary Tasks and Purposes of the Medical Logistics Function
Chapter III

III-6 JP 4-02 

4. Health Information Management 

a. The Secretaries of the Military Departments:

(1) Implement policy and follow implementing instructions, and report metrics 

in accordance with requirements established by the Assistant Secretary of Defense 

(Health Affairs) (ASD[HA]).

(2) Program resources and develop doctrine, organization, training, material, 

leadership, education, personnel, and facilities to implement health support policy. 

(3) Implement effective quality assurance and quality control systems to ensure 

compliance with health support policy. 

(4) Evaluate and recommend changes or improvements to the health support 

program. 

(5) Promote healthy lifestyles, optimize safety and health of working 

conditions, facilitate access to health care, and conduct periodic health assessments. 

(6) Monitor the physical and behavioral or emotional health of personnel; 

identify and mitigate the threats, stressors, and other risks to the health and safety of 

personnel; and ensure the availability and use of countermeasures. 

(7) Ensure deploying personnel are medically ready for worldwide duty in 

accordance with all applicable medical standards of fitness.

(8) Provide appropriate medical support, training, equipment, and supplies to 

implement these policies.

(9) Inform personnel of health threats and countermeasures based upon the 

situations encountered. 

(10) Document and report workplace injuries, illnesses, and incidents, and 

occupational and environmental hazards and exposures. 

(11) Provide the DOD executive agent for medical materiel with accurate 

requirements data for forecasting and sourcing the types and quantities of medical 

materiel to be procured for military Services’ use in peacetime, wartime, homeland 

defense, contingencies, and exercises, the locations where these items shall be needed, 

and the periods in which they shall be required. 

b. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff:

(1) Assesses HSS and FHP as part of the overall force planning function of any 

force deployment decision. Periodically reassess the health support posture of deployed 

forces.
Health Service Support 

III-7 

(2) Monitors policy implementation and follows implementing instructions 

during military operations.

(3) Develops joint medical doctrine and joint functional capabilities required to 

meet health support challenges.

(4) Designates theater lead agents for medical materiel for CCMDs based upon 

recommendations from DLA and in coordination with the Secretaries of the Military 

Departments.

c. The CCDRs, through the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS): 

(1) Have overall responsibility for HSS and FHP for forces assigned or attached 

to their command. 

(2) Establish HSS and FHP policies and programs for the protection of all 

forces assigned or attached to their command.

d. DLA is designated DOD executive agent for medical materiel for DOD pursuant 

to DODD 5101.9, DOD Executive Agent for Medical Materiel. As the executive agent, 

DLA will be the single DOD POC to: 

(1) Synchronize planning and execution of end-to-end medical supply chain 

activities.

(2) Improve the identification and coordination of contingency medical materiel 

requirements.

(3) Provide financial resources necessary to achieve materiel readiness and endto-end supply chain operation. 

(4) Establish acquisition programs necessary to ensure availability of medical 

materiel to meet CCMD requirements. 

(5) Establish, monitor, and report on medical supply chain performance. 

(6) Coordinate medical materiel requirements and national-level acquisition 

programs with other federal agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, 

Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, and 

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 

e. The DOD MEDLOG Executive Council, under the direction, authority, and 

control of the Secretary of Defense (SecDef), with policy guidance from the Office of the 

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) (ASD[HA]), shall provide oversight of 

the DOD MEDLOG. The DOD MEDLOG Executive Council is the focal point for 

medical standardization within DOD and: 
Chapter III

III-8 JP 4-02 

(1) Provides oversight to the development and prioritization of functional 

requirements for DOD MEDLOG Standard Support applications and enterprise 

architecture.

(2) Provides oversight to DOD MEDLOG programs and initiatives to promote 

joint interoperability of medical capabilities, efficiency in the acquisition and life cycle 

management of non-developmental medical materiel, standardization of medical supplies 

and equipment, and responsiveness to health support requirements. 

(3) Provides oversight for the development of future DOD MEDLOG concepts 

and capabilities necessary to support the Military Health System and DOD.

(4) Facilitates Military Health System support and collaboration in the 

development and maintenance of strategic partnerships necessary to synchronize supply 

chain strategies during all military operations. 

f. The Defense Medical Material Program Office under the direction, authority, and 

control of the Director of the TRICARE Management Activity, with policy guidance 

from the Office of the ASD(HA), shall provide coordination and support for collaborative 

DOD MEDLOG policies and objectives with regard to the acquisition and life cycle 

management of medical supplies and equipment: 

(1) In coordination with the heads of the Services’ MEDLOG agencies, 

establishes and maintains a collaborative DOD Medical Materiel Standardization 

program. 

(2) Serves as the clinical focal point and agency responsible for medical 

materiel quality assurance issues.

(3) In coordination with the FDA, exercises oversight and direction of the 

DOD/FDA’s Shelf Life Extension Program for strategically important pharmaceuticals.

(4) Exercises direction for development and maintenance of authoritative data 

relative to patient conditions and task, time, and treatment information for use in DOD 

medical modeling applications. 

(5) Coordinates and facilitates medical materiel standardization, to include 

clinical monitoring of operational testing and evaluation for non-developmental medical 

materiel.

(6) Develops and maintains the Joint Deployment Formulary. 

(7) Administer an integrated defense MEDLOG strategy management process 

in coordination with the Defense Medical Logistics Proponent Committee. 

g. USTRANSCOM is the DOD’s single manager for policy and standardization of 

procedures and information support systems for global patient movement. 
Health Service Support 

III-9 

(1) Reviews and advises on all CCDR’s planning requirements for patient 

movement and PMIs. 

(2) Establishes Global Patient Movement Joint Advisory Board (GPMJAB) to 

identify, review, and direct corrective actions for patient movement, PMIs, and the 

supporting automated information systems across Service boundaries. 

h. USAF Air Mobility Command (AMC) is the DOD’s lead agent for AE policy, 

training, and standardization of procedures. 

(1) Reviews and advises of all CCDR’s planning requirements for AE. 

(2) Establishes the Aeromedical Evacuation Oversight Board to review, update, 

and approve all aspects of the AE mission.

(3) Executes the PMI Program. 
Chapter III

III-10 JP 4-02 

Intentionally Blank
IV-1 

CHAPTER IV

FORCE HEALTH PROTECTION

1. Casualty Prevention

a. Casualty prevention supports military personnel by applying prevention and 

protection capabilities. These capabilities are both wide-ranging and diverse and match 

the complexity of human health needs. These capabilities are focused on the individual, 

while others are directed at the Service members and authorized dependents, 

organization, or force. Additionally, the Services will develop and enforce specific 

minimal physical and mental standards; these standards will ensure military personnel are 

free of diseases or medical and dental conditions that will not limit duty with 

expeditionary military service.

b. Casualty prevention includes all measures taken by commanders, leaders, 

individual military personnel, and the health care system to promote, improve, or 

conserve the mental and physical well-being of military personnel. These measures 

enable a healthy and fit force, prevent injury and illness, and protect the force from health 

hazards.

2. Preventive Medicine

a. PVNTMED is the anticipation and prevention, control of communicable diseases, 

illnesses, and exposure to endemic, occupational, and environmental threats. These 

threats include nonbattle injuries (NBIs), environmental and occupational exposures, 

weapons of mass destruction, and other threats to the health and readiness of military 

personnel. Communicable diseases include anthropod-, vector-, food-, waste, and 

waterborne diseases. PVNTMED include communication, education, field sanitation, 

medical surveillance, pest and vector control, disease risk assessment, environmental and 

occupational monitoring and health surveillance, medical countermeasures, health threat 

controls for waste (human, hazardous, and medical) disposal, food safety inspection, and 

potable water surveillance.

b. PVNTMED includes FHP measures taken against infectious, endemic, 

environmental, occupational, industrial, and operational health risks. 

c. The early introduction of PVNTMED personnel or units into the JOA facilitates 

the protection of US forces from diseases and injuries. It also permits a thorough 

assessment of the health threat and operational requirements of the mission. 

“Pay every attention to the sick and wounded. Sacrifice your baggage, 

everything for them. Let the wagons be devoted to their use, and if 

necessary your own saddles.”

Napoleon I, 1812
Chapter IV

IV-2 JP 4-02 

d. PVNTMED support to US and multinational forces, HN civilians, refugees, and 

displaced persons includes education and training on personal hygiene and field 

sanitation, personal protective measures, epidemiological investigations, vaccinations, 

communicable disease control, pest management, and inspection of food and water 

sources and supplies. PVNTMED also includes analyzing the complexities of 

epidemiologic interactions between disease-causing organisms, their reservoirs, and hosts 

in different geographic, climatologic, and cultural settings.

3. Health Surveillance

a. Health surveillance includes identifying the population at risk; identifying and 

assessing their potentially hazardous exposures (such as medical, food/water, 

occupational and environmental, psychological, and CBRN); using health risk 

communications practices to communicate the risk; employing specific countermeasures 

to eliminate or mitigate exposures; and utilizing medical surveillance procedures to 

monitor and report DNBI/BI rates and other measures of health outcomes to higher 

authority in a timely manner. Theater medical surveillance is essential for early 

identification of health threats within the JOA in order to prevent, neutralize, minimize, 

or eliminate them. The health surveillance program must cover all periods from 

predeployment, deployment, redeployment, to post-deployment. This information must 

be included in the HSS annex Q (Medical Services) to the OPLAN and/or OPORD 

supporting the operation. A comprehensive deployment health surveillance program 

includes preventive and epidemiological procedures and health risk communication 

practices to ensure that commanders are kept informed on the health of the force, health 

threats, occupational and environmental threats, stressors, risks, and necessary 

PVNTMED and stress control measures before, during, and after deployment. 

b. Establishment of a central repository for all specimens and samples, to include 

suspected biological warfare and chemical warfare agents and data, must be coordinated 

with the ASD(HA). 

c. The DOD system for documenting relevant occupational and environmental 

health risk assessment data is the DOEHRS. 

4. Combat and Operational Stress Control 

a. Combat and operational stress control includes programs and actions to be taken 

by military leadership to prevent, identify, and manage adverse combat and operational 

stress reactions in units. These programs optimize mission performance; conserve the 

fighting strength; and prevent or minimize adverse effects of combat and operational 

stress reaction on Service members and their physical, psychological, spiritual, 

intellectual, and social health. The goal of these programs is to return military personnel 

to duty as soon as possible. According to DODD 6490.02E, Comprehensive Health 

Surveillance, combat and operational stress control activities include routine screening of 

individuals when recruited; continued surveillance throughout military service, especially 

before, during, and after deployment; continual assessment and consultation with medical 

and other personnel from home station to the JOA. Military personnel who are 
Force Health Protection

IV-3 

temporarily impaired or incapacitated with stress-related conditions are not necessarily 

diagnosed with behavioral health disorders. Combat and operational stress control 

promotes military personnel and unit readiness by: 

(1) Enhancing adaptive stress reactions.

(2) Preventing maladaptive stress reactions.

(3) Assisting military personnel with controlling combat and operational stress 

reactions.

(4) Assisting military personnel with behavioral disorders.

b. Figure IV-1 describes the primary tasks and purposes of the combat and 

operational stress control function. 

5. Preventive Dentistry

a. Preventive dentistry is an extremely important component of an effective dental 

program. The results of good preventive dental care practices are healthy teeth and gums 

and the absence of oral disease. Therefore, military personnel that incorporated good 

preventive dental hygiene practices are far less likely to become dental casualties due to 

disease while deployed.

b. Preventive dentistry incorporates primary, secondary, and tertiary measures to 

reduce or eliminate conditions that may decrease military personnel fitness in performing 

their mission and which could result in being removed from their unit for treatment. 

c. The standards used to determine military personnel dental readiness and 

classification are outlined in the DOD Oral Health and Readiness Classification System. 

The purpose of this classification system is to standardize the dental readiness, prioritize 

dental care, and minimize the occurrence of dental emergencies among military 

personnel. It also aids the commanders in estimating how many military personnel are 

likely to require treatment for dental emergencies during a deployment.

6. Vision Readiness

a. Vision readiness is an essential component of an effective force. Vision readiness 

encompasses the Service member having optimal visual clarity in order to most 

effectively and efficiently complete their assignments as well as the optical devices 

needed for vision correction (if required) and for eye protection of all service members 

during hazardous activities, including deployment. Vision services should make sure that 

the Service member can see clearly, their eyes are protected, making them less likely to

become ocular casualties due to disease or injury while deployed. 
Chapter IV

IV-4 JP 4-02 

b. Vision services include preventive eye care to reduce or eliminate conditions that 

may decrease personnel fitness in performing their mission and which could result in 

members being removed from their duty unit for treatment. Vision services also ensure 

that the service member has eye protection decreasing the occurrence of sight threatening 

injuries among military personnel. Ensuring the Service member has all needed devices 

and that their eyes are protected keeps the member with their unit in order to complete the 

mission and decreases the logistical burden of providing a replacement. 

c. The standards to determine military vision readiness is Service specific. Service 

standardized vision classification systems should ensure military personnel meet the 

preventive eye care requirement and have all required corrective and protective devices. 

Primary Tasks and Purposes of the 

Combat and Operational Stress Control Function

To prevent combat and operational stress 

reaction.

To provide command with global 

assessment of the unit, with considerations 

of multiple variables that may affect 

leadership, performance, morale, and 

combat effectiveness of the organization.

To assist in the transition of units and 

military personnel who are exposed to 

potentially traumatic event by building 

resilience, promoting post-traumatic 

growth, and/or increasing functioning and 

positive changes in the unit.

To provide diagnosis, treatment, and 

disposition for military personnel with 

neuropsychiatric/ behavioral health 

problems.

To provide military personnel 

rest/restoration within or near their unit 

area for rapid return to duty and to prevent 

post-combat and operational stress 

reactions.

To determine if a military personnel mental 

state renders them at risk to himself or 

others or may affect his ability to carry out 

his mission.

Implement combat and operational 

stress control plan/program.

Perform combat and operational stress 

control unit needs assessment.

Conduct traumatic events management 

for potentially traumatic event

Screen and evaluate military personnel 

with maladaptive behaviors to rule out 

neuropsychiatric/behavioral health 

conditions.

Conduct combat and operational stress 

restoration and reconditioning programs.

Perform command-directed evaluation 

for military personnel's behavioral health 

status.

Figure IV-1. Primary Tasks and Purposes of the Combat and Operational Stress Control 

Function
Force Health Protection

IV-5 

7. Laboratory Services

a. Deployable environmental laboratory services include capabilities in 

identification and field confirmation of endemic diseases, OEH hazards, and CBRN 

agents. The focus of the laboratory is the total health environment of the JOA, not 

individual patient care. Studies in pest identification, the efficacy of pesticides, 

frequency of infectious agents, monitoring immune response and transmission of 

zoonotic diseases, and analysis of suspected CBRN samples in the JOA can be performed 

in deployable environmental laboratories. The laboratory personnel also function as 

consultants to hospital clinical laboratory services within the JOA. The laboratory may 

task-organize teams and employ them forward to troubleshoot a particular problem. 

b. Figure IV-2 describes the primary tasks and purposes of the laboratory services

function. 

8. Veterinary Services

a. Adequate veterinary service support is an integral part of FHP, and it is 

imperative that medical planners consider veterinary support in medical operational 

planning. The USA is the DOD executive agent for veterinary support for the Services, 

and in some instances support is provided to multinational partners and HN agencies. 

USA Veterinary Corps and USAF Public Health provide for food wholesomeness, safety, 

Primary Tasks and Purposes of the 

Laboratory Services Function

To identify chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear 

threat agents in biomedical specimens and other 

samples from the operational area. To assist in the 

identification of occupational and environmental health 

hazards and endemic diseases.

To evaluate biomedical specimens for the presence of 

highly infectious or hazardous agents of operational 

concern.

To support medical analyses and operational decisions.

To support the diagnosis of zoonotic and significant 

animal diseases that impact on military operations.

To interface with preventive medicine teams, veterinary 

teams, forward deployed medical units, biological 

integrated detection system teams, and chemical, 

biological, radiological, and nuclear reconnaissance and 

surveillance assets in the operational area.

Analytical, investigation, 

and consultative 

capabilities

Special environmental 

control and containment

Data analysis

Medical laboratory 

analysis

Deploy modular sections 

or sectional teams.

Figure IV-2. Primary Tasks and Purposes of the Laboratory Services Function
Chapter IV

IV-6 JP 4-02 

and defense. USA veterinary units are task-organized and tailored in order to support 

government-owned animal health care, veterinary PVNTMED, and food safety and 

security programs. The potential of food-borne disease, the threat of contamination of 

subsistence, the need to assess the zoonotic endemic disease threats, and the need to 

provide health care to military working dogs all require an early veterinary presence 

throughout the entire operational area of all joint and multinational operations. 

b. When deployed in military operations, veterinary support and PVNTMED 

capabilities reduce the vulnerability of US and multinational forces to DNBI. Veterinary 

personnel work closely with USA, USAF, and USN PVNTMED units to provide 

coordinated FHP support. Veterinary food inspection is necessary to ensure food safety

and defense, quality assurance, and wholesomeness. Services provided by veterinary 

units include sanitary surveillance of food source and storage facilities, and surveillance 

of foodstuffs to ensure a safe and wholesome food supply. Procurement of fresh foods, 

packaged water, ice, and beverages is supported by veterinary personnel through 

sanitation audits performed on local food establishments in the operational area. The 

veterinary staff officer and JFS, through the JFC, is responsible for the publication of a 

directory of approved food sources for the JOA. 

c. Comprehensive veterinary medical and surgical programs are required to maintain 

the health of government owned animals. By providing complete medical and surgical 

care to all joint forces supported in the JOA, the USA Veterinary Service personnel assist 

in ensuring the effectiveness of working animals as a force multiplier. Many biological 

agents are zoonotic, and, therefore, quick recognition in the animal population may detect 

a significant hazard to human health. By monitoring and evaluating endemic animal 

diseases of military importance and environmental zoonotic disease hazards to both 

animals and humans, veterinary units assist in maintaining a healthy and fit force in the 

JOA.

d. Veterinary services have an essential role in formulating FHP for the joint force. 

Early FHP planning considerations for veterinary service support should include the 

CONOPS; type and duration of operation; estimated strength of the joint force and other 

organizations requiring veterinary support; means of shipping Class I supplies, primary 

intratheater storage locations, anticipated stock levels, and the feeding plan for the JOA; 

estimated joint force strength; proposed use and location of government-owned and/or 

indigenous animals; and the size and type of civil-military action programs. 
V-1 

CHAPTER V

HEALTH SERVICE SUPPORT OPERATIONS

1. Combat Operations 

a. Due to the necessity to perform lifesaving interventions for personnel suffering 

combat trauma within minutes of wounding or injury, medical resources must be arrayed 

in close proximity to the forces supported. This also permits the medical assets to rapidly 

clear the JOA of casualties and enhances the JFC’s ability to quickly take advantage of 

opportunities which present themselves during the battle. 

b. Command surgeon staff should be included in the operations process for combat 

operations. To ensure effective and efficient health support within the operational 

environment, medical support plans must adhere to the supported joint functions. Within 

noncontiguous operations units must understand the various support relationships 

described in the OPORD to ensure that a seamless continuum of health support is 

established and can be maintained. 

2. Stability and Civil-Military Operations

a. Stability operations encompass various military missions, tasks, and activities 

conducted outside the US in coordination with other instruments of national power to 

maintain or reestablish a safe and secure environment and provide essential governmental 

services, emergency infrastructure reconstruction, and humanitarian relief. Militarymilitary and civil-military operations are included and both may contribute to improving 

stability within a society.

For more information on stability operations, see JP 3-07, Stability Operations. 

(1) Medical stability operations include supporting efforts to establish or restore 

medical support necessary to sustain the population until local civil services are restored; 

assessments of the civilian medical and public health systems such as infrastructure, 

medical staff, training and education, MEDLOG, public health programs, and promoting 

and enhancing the HN medical infrastructure. Identify fundamental medical deficiencies 

and key points where the available forces and resources can produce a desired military 

end state. The desired military end state in the health sector is indigenous capacity to 

provide vital health services. 

(2) The JFC and JFS should ensure medical personnel and capabilities are 

prepared to meet not only military but also civilian health requirements to address patient 

populations similar to those encountered during FHA operations or humanitarian and 

civic assistance activities (e.g., children, elderly, pregnant females). Further, the JFC and 

“Ill-health, of body or of mind, is defeat. Health alone is victory. Let all men, if 

they can manage it, contrive to be healthy!”

Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881), British historian and essayist
Chapter V

V-2 JP 4-02 

JFS should ensure medical personnel and capabilities are prepared to perform with other 

government agencies, HN ministries, IGOs, and NGOs. Military-civilian teams that plan 

and conduct stability operations should include personnel with medical expertise, foreign 

language proficiency, and cultural understanding. For more information on HSS during 

FHA operations, see JP 3-29, Foreign Humanitarian Assistance.

(3) The JFS should coordinate with public affairs to ensure the release of 

potential public health risks that will inform the internal indigenous, international, and 

US domestic audiences of medical efforts and health threat information.

b. Joint operational medical planning for stability operations should use Chairman of 

the Joint Chiefs of Staff Instruction (CJCSI) 3110.03D, Logistics Supplement to the Joint 

Strategic Capabilities Plan, as guidance. Considerations include: 

(1) Medical Intelligence Planning

(a) Military personnel likely to serve in areas where stability operations are 

conducted may enter with very little, if any, natural immunity to endemic diseases. The 

degree of cultural and social interaction required to support the mission, as well as the 

sharing of food, quarters, and recreational facilities with local nationals, may increase the 

exposure of military personnel to diseases endemic to the HN. For the most part, stability 

operations may last for extended periods of time (months or years, not days or weeks) 

increasing the risk of contracting endemic disease. The enforcement of proper FHP 

measures is critical to minimize the risk to personnel. 

(b) When planning for and conducting HSS during stability operations, the 

JFC and JFS must consider the health threat posed by the regional and local factors 

including climate, geography, fauna, flora, and the indigenous population to the

multinational force, USG employees, contractors, and, as appropriate, IGOs and NGOs, 

as well as its impact as a contributing factor to social, political, and economic stability. 

Stability operations are often conducted in areas where social services have been 

disrupted resulting in poor sanitation, inadequate food and water distribution, civil 

disturbances, and general civil unrest. Significant health threats are likely with the high 

prevalence of diseases that are endemic and/or can become epidemic, uncontrolled 

distribution of hazardous wastes and hazardous materials, industrial hazards and 

exposures, and environmental extremes.

(2) Medical Logistics Planning. MEDLOG plays a significant role in the 

delivery of health care during stability operations and joint response contingencies. Prior 

to a deployment on noncombatant evacuation operations, the senior medical person 

accompanying the force determines special medical supply or equipment requirements, 

such as personal protective equipment like bed nets, permethrin insecticide, or insect 

repellant containing DEET (chemical name N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). In disaster 

response operations, the management of Class VIII materiel is critical to the successful 

completion of the mission. In FHA operations, the MEDLOG planner must obtain and 

coordinate for the delivery of MEDLOG support. In nation assistance operations, 

MEDLOG personnel can assist the international community and a HN by conducting an 
Health Service Support Operations 

V-3 

assessment of the military or civilian medical supply infrastructure and industry. 

Secondary and tertiary effects of direct assistance must be considered. Procurement of 

supplies, including pharmaceuticals, for use on the affected civilian population may be 

best obtained locally or regionally. Coordination with the NGOs and IGOs may be 

essential. 

(3) Force Protection. Insurgent or terrorist forces may not recognize the 

protection afforded to medical personnel by the Geneva Conventions. Health support 

activities may be prime targets by these groups, especially if these activities are perceived 

as contributing to the international effort and/or the supporting US and/or HN strategic 

goals. MTFs may be vulnerable to theft and raids on Class VIII supplies by any number 

of entities for their own support or to support black market activities. The JFC and JFS

should ensure adequate force protection measures are appropriately planned and provided 

to protect medical personnel from enemy actions. 

(4) Legal Issues. Medical obligations under international law will be 

particularly crucial to the management of nonmilitary personnel such as HN civilians or 

third country nationals, detainees, civilian refugees, and internally displaced persons. US 

military personnel should be prepared to lead the activities necessary to accomplish this 

medical task when indigenous capacity does not exist or is incapable of assuming 

responsibility. The JFC and JFS must plan to address these obligations. Once legitimate 

civil authority is available and prepared to conduct and sustain the medical support task 

to these populations, US military forces will provide support as required or necessary. 

(a) Medical obligations under international law will be particularly crucial 

to the management of personnel such as EPWs, detainees, refugees, or internally

displaced persons. Medical plans must detail the degree of care offered to these groups 

and how continuity of care is to be provided, consistent with international law. 

(b) Urgent medical treatment, not otherwise available, may be offered, in 

coordination with mandated IGOs, to refugees, internally displaced persons, and other 

civilians, and is dependent upon the operational situation. 

(c) Detainees and EPWs may receive urgent medical treatment in MTFs, 

but are unlikely to remain in MTFs or be evacuated to definitive and rehabilitative care 

MTFs in the US. An alternative source of definitive treatment must be organized as part 

of the overall medical plan. 

(d) National law may impact a range of issues, including the provision and 

use of medical evidence for inquires into deaths and severe injury. 

c. Civil-military medicine is a discipline within operational medicine comprising 

public health and medical issues that involve a civil-military interface (foreign or 

domestic), including military medical support to civil authorities (domestic), medical 

elements of security cooperation activities, and medical civil-military operations.

(1) Medical civil-military operations are health-related activities in support of a 

JFC that establish, enhance, maintain, or influence relations between the joint or 
Chapter V

V-4 JP 4-02 

multinational force and HN, multinational governmental authorities and NGOs, and the 

civilian populace in order to facilitate military operations, achieve US operational 

objectives, and positively impact the health sector. Medical civil-military operations will 

normally be performed by joint or multinational medical personnel and civil affairs 

forces, in coordination with other USG or multinational agencies. The subsets of medical 

civil-military operations include peacetime medical elements of security cooperation 

activities, FHA, disaster response and disease outbreak response in a permissive 

environment, pre-conflict health-related civil-military activities, and health-related civilmilitary activities during major campaigns and operations and post-conflict stability 

operations. Medical personnel may be tasked to conduct or support medical civilmilitary operations in activities that build HN capacity in the public health sector. Close 

coordination between the JFS and civil affairs elements is essential to the success of 

medical civil-military operations. General guidance for civil-military operations is 

provided in JP 3-57, Civil-Military Operations. Medical civil-military operations’ 

actions may be in addition to activities covered under Title 10, United States Code

(USC), Section 401. These operations are often conducted in areas where social services 

have been disrupted, resulting in poor sanitation, inadequate and unsafe food and water 

(as well as distribution problems), civil disturbances, and general civil unrest, diseases, 

uncontrolled distribution of hazardous wastes and hazardous materials, and 

environmental extremes. In this environment, there are several HSS activities that may 

be appropriate for medical civil-military operations that include: public health activities, 

to include PVNTMED, personal sanitation and hygiene, safe food and water preparation 

and handling, infant and child care, preventive dental hygiene, immunizations of humans 

and animals, veterinary care and behavioral health surveillance and support; development 

of logistic programs, preventive health measures for local/intrinsic industry, continuing 

medical education programs and medical intelligence and threat analysis, and assistance 

in upgrading and devising methods for supplying and sustaining existing HN medical 

infrastructure and facilities. The focus of HSS initiatives during medical civil-military 

operations is to improve HN capacity to provide public health and medical services to its 

population, thereby enhancing legitimacy of the HN, enhancing force protection, and 

accomplishing the JFC’s political-military objectives. HSS initiatives during medical 

civil-military operations should emphasize long-term developmental programs that are 

sustainable by the HN.

(2) Medical elements of security cooperation activities encompass military 

health-related peacetime activities with other nations that are projected to shape the 

security environment by building the capability and interoperability of partner nations. 

Programs include military-to-military exercises and operations that establish, shape, 

maintain, and refine relations with other nations and capacity-building projects in the 

military health sector that transfer technical knowledge, skills, and other resources to 

individuals and institutions so they acquire the long-term ability to establish and deliver 

competent public services. 

(3) In assigned medical civil-military operations missions, JFSs and joint 

medical planners must consider, in consultation with counterparts in civilian USG 

departments and agencies, the different types of medical resources required to conduct 

such operations. Medical personnel must coordinate closely with civil affairs elements 
Health Service Support Operations 

V-5 

and information operations to ensure unity of effort. Every effort must also be made to 

ensure proper coordination with the USG department or agency that may have the lead 

for all or part of a given operation. Coordination with other agencies in the JOA may 

also be necessary. These agencies may include, but are not limited to multinational

partners, HN agencies, NGOs, IGOs, and other groups to include religious organizations. 

The JFC and JFS should not assume the lead for projects in the HN health sector (except 

during an occupation). The HN should have ultimate ownership of all projects, so that 

activities are sustainable. The JFC and JFS should ensure that medical planning for 

medical civil-military operations missions include cultural awareness and should take 

measures to guarantee that these operations support and not detract from the legitimate 

authority of an HN government. Furthermore, the JFC and JFS should consider that the 

unique venue for medical civil-military operations missions is contingent upon several 

factors that include, but are not limited to the level of hostilities, rules of engagement, 

political climate, economic status, cultural influences and biases, religious preferences 

and cultural standards, and other socioeconomic considerations. Accordingly, the JFC 

and JFS should ensure that during medical civil-military operations missions the medical 

staff includes an international health officer or SME with regional medical expertise and 

linguistic proficiency that can foster partnerships with military, civilian, multinational 

and USG personnel, IGOs and NGOs, and provide technical expertise, and assistance in 

identifying and assessing foreign national public and private health systems, sanitation 

systems, health services, personnel, resources, and facilities. Careful attention must be 

paid to avoiding the appearance of preferential treatment of individual ethnic groups 

during medical civil-military operations. Efforts should be made to support an equitable 

HN health system.

(4) The JFC and JFS should also organize medical elements based on the 

anticipated needs of both the joint force and the civilian populace, within the limits of the 

military mission and applicable laws and regulations. Medical representatives should 

seek to participate in all relevant civilian and military coordination mechanisms. Medical 

personnel should also interact with any existing coordination centers, such as the United 

Nations-Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance’s on-scene operational 

coordination center. In order to adequately anticipate noncombatant needs, JFSs and 

joint medical planners must conduct a health service assessment that examines the factors 

listed in Figure V-1. Standards of care should be agreed upon with HN and the lead USG 

department or agency during mission planning; normally, HN standards or international 

consensus minimum standards (such as the Sphere Project, Humanitarian Charter and 

Minimum Standards in Disaster Response and the International Health Regulation) 

should be used. The JFC, JFS, and civil affairs should monitor and assess medical civilmilitary operations throughout planning and execution and should utilize both measures 

of performance and measures of effectiveness. Planners should anticipate unintended 

consequences and should correct for these during and after execution. The JFC and JFS 

should be cognizant that in medical civil-military operations, the provision of health 

support and health education play a direct role in countering both medical and general 

threats and provide a noncontroversial and cost-effective means of utilizing the military 

element to support US national interest in another country by: 
Chapter V

V-6 JP 4-02 

(a) Assisting with the development and refinement of the HN medical 

infrastructure.

(b) Providing, assisting, and sustaining the basic necessities of life for the 

general population through development and/or enhancement of the HN civilian medical 

programs. 

(c) Providing assistance in establishing, repairing, or improving basic 

health and sanitation services, especially if these have been degraded by military 

operations. 

d. Significant health benefits can be derived from nonmedical interventions, such as 

improving the water supply, electrical grid, ensuring security of MTFs, waste 

management and disposal, and so on. JFSs and joint medical planners should coordinate 

with other sections of the JTF (such as the J-4 logistics and engineers, J-3 force 

protection operations, and so on), NGOs, IGOs, and other USG departments and agencies

to accomplish this.

Health Service Assessment Factors





















Population Demographics

Sanitation and Personal 

Hygiene

Endemic and Epidemic Disease 

Surveillance

Available Medical Intelligence

Availability and Accessibility of 

Health Care Delivery Systems 

and Process

Cultural Factors Related to 

Medical Support

Primary Care Capabilities

General Health of the 

Population

Baseline Health Indicators

Political Impact of Providing 

Care to the Local Population

















Anticipated Type, Number, and 

Capabilities of Relief 

Organizations

Secondary and Tertiary Hospital 

Facilities and Supporting 

Transportation

Local Facilities for Production of 

Medical Equipment and Supplies

Education and Training Levels of 

Medical Professionals and 

Technicians

Ongoing International and Local 

Civilian Assistance Efforts

Pandemic Response Capability

Incidence Response Capability

Host Nation Existing Military and 

Civilian Health Sector Plans and 

Goals

Figure V-1. Health Service Assessment Factors
Health Service Support Operations 

V-7 

e. Financial issues for consideration during stability operations and joint response 

contingencies include: 

(1) Maintenance costs, particularly the provision of medical materiel, resupply, 

and patient movement. 

(2) Medical supplies approved for donation, eligibility determination, 

credentialing, malpractice suits, and reimbursement procedures for health support and 

supplies. 

3. Limited Contingencies and Crisis Response

a. Limited contingencies are operations that are inherently joint and require strategic 

reachback. Medical planning during limited contingencies must remain flexible to 

unique support arrangements which capitalize on the strengths of all units employed in 

the JOA. As the military forces transform to a contingency force, medical units will also 

transform to a more modular flexible structure capable of providing health care.

b. One of the keys to success in contingency medical operations is to ensure that 

command relationships are clearly defined in the OPLAN and OPORD. Another key to 

the successful accomplishment of the contingency mission is the synchronization of 

health care activities through medical C2 and the technical supervision of ongoing 

clinical operations. Medical C2 provides a conduit to obtain reachback medical technical 

support during early entry and expeditionary operations conducted in austere 

environments prior to deployment of some medical specialty care assets. 

4. Defense Support of Civil Authorities

Requests for health support during disasters in the US will normally be initiated by 

Department of Health and Human Services through submission of a request for assistance 

or mission assignment. Requests typically flow from FEMA to Joint Director of Military 

Support and are processed forward to SecDef for approval. Additionally, DOD policy on 

immediate response addresses the authority delegated to military commanders to provide 

immediate assistance to civil authorities to save lives, prevent human suffering, or 

mitigate great property damage in the event of imminently serious conditions resulting 

from any civil emergency or attack. Immediate response is situation-specific and may or 

may not be associated with a declared or undeclared disaster.

For more information, see JP 3-27, Homeland Defense, and JP 3-28, Civil Support.
Chapter V

V-8 JP 4-02 

5. Special Operations Forces

a. Organic Medical Capability

(1) Medical Planning. The theater special operations command component 

commander coordinates conventional HSS packages to augment the SOF organic medical 

capability using the organic surgeon section. 

(2) SOF HSS. SOF HSS includes limited quantities of medical, critical care 

management, CASEVAC, patient holding, and primary care capabilities. Special 

operations combat medics (SOCMs) enlisted personnel receive enhanced medical 

training that allows independent duty capabilities, which exceed those of their 

conventional counterparts. HSS of special operations units is characterized by an austere 

structure and a limited number of medical personnel with enhanced medical skills, to 

include emergency treatment, advanced trauma management, CBRN casualty treatment, 

PVNTMED, and limited veterinary and dental care. The primary focus of SOF HSS is to 

provide essential care and manage casualties until force extraction from the operational 

area. Consequently, joint medical planners must develop a flexible medical structure 

linking the required conventional HSS as far forward as the joint special operations task 

force, forward operations bases, and intermediate staging bases. SOF currently possess a 

very limited number of organic forward resuscitative surgical capabilities. Critical 

support requirements that SOF need from conventional forces include forward surgical 

support, blood and blood products, resupply, AE, and linkage to strategic air movement.

b. Special Operations Forces Operational Medicine

(1) SOF medics are all advanced tactical paramedic certified. In addition, some 

SOF personnel are state certified or national certified emergency medical technicians or 

paramedics. SOF advanced tactical paramedics are capable of providing advanced 

tactical combat casualty care. Additionally, SOF medical elements are comprised of 

advanced medics with Service independent duty designations. These enlisted medics are 

trained as independent, interoperable combat medics with the Service-/mission-unique 

medical capabilities (for instance, sea-based, small unit operations, veterinary, or aviation 

medicine). SOF medical and medical service personnel from all organizational levels can 

provide augmentation, advice, and synchronization for HSS operations in support of SOF 

at forward operating bases depending on the mission requirements and availability of 

conventional medical support. SOF medical capabilities include advanced trauma 

management, sick call, logistic support, blood, laboratory, patient hold, and transportation 

capabilities to support special operations bed down locations. 

(2) United States Air Force Special Operations Forces (AFSOF). HSS for 

Army SOF is usually accomplished by unit-level organic HSS resources, Special 

Operations Support Battalion assets, and the theater or corps. A combination of organic 

and support resources are required for HSS. The special operations surgical teams and 

special operations critical care evacuation teams provided by Air Force Special 

Operations Command comprises a fraction of the total required capability to meet SOF 

forward resuscitative surgical requirements for each theater special operational 
Health Service Support Operations 

V-9 

commands’ mission to execute their respective regional plans. AFSOF medics uniquely 

provide aerospace medicine and CASEVAC support from forward areas to the SOF airground interface point. Pararescue jumpers (PJs)/specialists, because of their combat 

skills and training, are the most appropriate resource to render trauma medical support in 

threat environments and increased risk scenarios. PJs are specifically trained as crew 

members and for combat surface operations either independently or in conjunction with 

other SOF teams. USAF PJs are specifically organized, trained, and equipped to conduct 

the personnel recovery mission. PJs provide SOF and combat air forces with an air to 

ground personnel recovery capability and the ability for infiltration and exfiltration 

utilizing USAF (primary), USA, Navy, or partner nation vertical lift and fixed-wing 

aviation resources. USAF SOF medical elements and USA Special Operations Aviation 

Regiment medics provide SOF with a CASEVAC capability aboard USA special 

operations aviation assets. 

(3) Navy Special Operations Forces (NAVSOF) Operational Medicine. 

Medical assets assigned to NAVSOF SEAL platoons and vehicle delivery teams and 

special boat teams have first responder capabilities for basic clinical care, emergency 

medicine, trauma care, and other diverse types of casualties. NAVSOF units have no 

organic forward resuscitative care, AE, MEDEVAC, PVNTMED, laboratory, veterinary, 

or dental capabilities. Deployed NAVSOF rely on other conventional USA, USN, 

USAF, and sister SOF HSS for nonorganic medical capabilities. Medical personnel 

assigned to Naval SOF support units include undersea medical officers, physician 

assistants, independent duty hospital corpsmen, diving medical technicians, hospital 

corpsmen, and SOCM, providing first response capabilities. 

(4) Marine Corps Special Operations Forces (MARSOF) Operational 

Medicine. HSS for Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARFORSOC) 

is accomplished by unit-level organic HSS resources, Marine Special Operations 

Battalion assets, and Marine Special Operations Support Group resources. Marine 

special operations companies possess a limited number of Navy medical personnel with 

enhanced trauma skills including advanced tactical paramedics, PVNTMED, limited 

veterinary and dental capabilities, and are also capable of providing basic Role I care. 

All MARSOF elements are comprised of Navy Fleet Marine Forces reconnaissance 

independent duty corpsman or Navy Fleet Marine Forces reconnaissance corpsman. 

Recon independent duty corpsmen are independent duty corpsman qualified to practice 

independent of a physician in austere environments and provide advanced medical and 

trauma management to casualties. MARFORSOC has no organic forward resuscitative 

care. Navy medical personnel assigned to MARFORSOC support units include undersea 

medical officers, board certified physicians, physician assistants, surface force 

independent duty, diving medical technicians, and Fleet Marine Forces hospital 

corpsmen. 

(5) Civil affairs units have a highly limited organic HSS capability. Civil 

affairs medical sergeants provide a level of expertise between a SOCM and a special 

forces medical sergeant but are limited in number and typically assigned to the active 

duty brigades. USA reserve civil affairs units (battalion and higher) have Army Medical 

Corps and medical service personnel assigned to the public health functional specialty 
Chapter V

V-10 JP 4-02 

teams. These personnel are organized to primarily provide advice and expertise to the 

supported mission’s civil-military operations, not as HSS providers to the force. 

(Although ancillary benefits to the force may come through the regional expertise of civil 

affairs personnel on health and sanitation risks.) Medically trained personnel in civil 

affairs provide assistance in identifying gaps and capabilities and assessing foreign public 

and private health systems, to include health and sanitation systems, agencies, personnel, 

and facilities. Civil affairs personnel may work with NGOs and IGOs to rehabilitate or 

develop functional health care systems within the JOA. Much like other civil affairs 

specialists (typically members of the USA reserve) these Soldiers bring high levels of 

relevant skills to HSS.

c. Special Operations Forces Health Service Support Planning

(1) The goal of special operations HSS planning is twofold: first, provide 

integrated, augmented conventional support into the concept of the special operations 

mission without compromising the objectives; second, articulate the unique challenges of 

the operation that will complicate the delivery of HSS by conventional units (see Figure

V-2). The SOF HSS must ensure that the conventional HSS planner understands these 

aspects. The conventional medical planner must translate SOF-unique requirements into 

the conventional HSS infrastructure best suited to support the mission. 

(2) Unique challenges of HSS to SOF must be incorporated into HSS planning 

at the theater JFS staff level, with full knowledge and concurrence of special operations 

command planning staff. HSS must be planned and coordinated with subordinate joint 

force elements by the theater JFS staff.

(3) The JFS and the theater special operations command and/or SOF component 

medical planners develop comprehensive operational area-specific plans to support the 

special operations mission planning and execution cycle. Essential aspects of these plans 

link SOF with conventional HSS. Additionally, strategic and operational circumstances 





Absence of health care and 

dedicated evacuation

Forward resuscitative 

surgery and theater care is 

difficult to access.





Special missions are conducted 

forward of forward line of own 

troops, conventional support.

Patient movement may be 

precluded.

Challenges of Patient Movement During 

Special Operations

Figure V-2. Challenges of Patient Movement During Special Operations
Health Service Support Operations 

V-11 

may require arrangement for HN hospital support for special operations missions 

terminating in friendly territories within a theater.

(4) SOF missions that may require special management of personnel will be 

coordinated by the SOF medical planner or special mission unit medical or 

counterintelligence professionals to ensure SOF operations are integrated into 

conventional medical capabilities with the least opportunity of mission compromise. 

(5) SOF entry to the conventional HSS system may occur at the nearest forward 

resuscitative care capability but will normally occur at the first MTF of admission.

6. Multinational Operations 

a. Multinational support operations are complicated by a number of characteristics 

that impact fundamentally upon the provision of HSS. 

(1) Unique nature of every individual operation. 

(2) Geographic, topographic, and climatic variations of the operational area. 

(3) Numbers of individual nations involved in each operation. 

(4) Variations in national standards of HSS and equipment. 

(5) Language and communications differences. 

(6) Political complexity and dynamic nature of each operational scenario.

(7) Mission of medical support forces.

(8) Differences in individual national objectives and/or restrictions for 

participation in operations and integration of overall mission goals. 

(9) A medical staff may face numerous challenges affecting the health of 

multinational personnel deployed on operations. Therefore, multinational HSS 

operations require clearly defined guidance. Common HSS challenges in multinational 

operations are shown in Figure V-3. 

(10) Medical plans must be tailored to each operation and meet the demands of 

geography, individual national needs, language, and communication difficulties. Plans 

must be capable of rapid implementation but, at the same time, be flexible enough to 

manage rapidly changing operational demands. 

(11) Every deployed multinational force normally has a surgeon and/or chief 

medical officer who has direct access to the multinational force commander.

(12) Each deployed national contingent that has medical personnel must have a 

single designated individual who has the clinical responsibility for all national HSS 

matters. 
Chapter V

V-12 JP 4-02 

b. Principles of Multinational Operations

(1) Contributing nations bear ultimate responsibility for ensuring the provision 

of HSS to their forces allocated to multinational operations. This may be discharged in a 

number of ways, including agreements with other nations or the appropriate multinational 

planning staffs and multinational force commanders. 

(2) International Conventions for the Treatment of the Sick and Wounded. 

HSS for operations will comply with provisions of the Geneva Conventions. Persons 

entitled under the terms of the Geneva Conventions shall, without discrimination, receive 

medical treatment on the basis of their clinical needs and the availability of HSS 

resources. Treatment will be provided gratis up to the point of stabilization.

(3) Standards of HSS. Operational HSS to multinational forces must meet 

standards that are acceptable to all participating nations. Care provided to US forces 

participating in a multinational operation must meet US standards.

(4) Estimation of Medical Risk. Estimation of medical risk and the associated 

casualty rates is the responsibility of the individual nation with HSS advice of the 

multinational operational staffs.

(5) Multinational HSS Capabilities. In multinational operations, medical 

resources are typically distributed into four roles, according to their capabilities and are 

closely related, but are not directly interchangeable. Capability describes what function 

the medical resource can perform with capability increasing from Role 1 to Role 4. The 

minimum capabilities of each role are intrinsic to each higher role. As an example, a 

Role 3 facility has the ability to carry out Role 1 and Role 2 functions. A multinational 

force cannot be reduced below the minimum capabilities of its given numeric descriptor. 

Therefore, a medical asset cannot be described as a role “minus.” Under battle 







Difference in doctrine

Differing stockage levels

Logistics mobility







Interoperability concerns

Competition between 

participants for common 

support

Resource limitations

Health Service Support Challenges in 

Multinational Operations

Figure V-3. Health Service Support Challenges in Multinational Operations
Health Service Support Operations 

V-13 

conditions, the flow of casualties generally follows the pattern from Role 1 to Role 3 

facilities with further MEDEVAC to Role 4 hospitals taking place as appropriate.

(6) Multinational HSS capabilities are normally provided appropriately to a 

particular operation. Policy for national contributions will generally be as follows: 

(a) Role 1—National responsibility.

(b) Role 2—National and/or lead nation. For the US, Role 2 is a national 

responsibility. 

(c) Role 3—National and/or lead nation. For the US, Role 3 is a national 

responsibility. 

(d) Role 4—National and/or force provided (contracted). For the US, Role 

4 is a national responsibility. 

c. Multinational Planning Considerations

(1) Contributing nations retain ultimate accountability for the health of their 

forces, but the multinational force commander will normally share the responsibility for 

or has an interest in the health of assigned forces. To meet this requirement, the 

multinational force commander needs appropriate medical staff available at the early 

stages of planning HSS for an operation. 

(2) National medical systems should be retained as an organic force structure to 

the contributing nation’s forces as much as possible. However, medical planners must 

seek to take advantage of economies of scale which may be achieved from multinational 

concepts such as lead nation responsibilities, role specialization, and mutual assistance.

(3) The HN support resources available in the operational area are the key to 

determining the size and capability of the medical organization that the multinational 

force must establish. The more HN support available for use, the less that has to be 

found from contributing nations. Overall, a mixture of medical intelligence analysis and 

on-the-ground reconnaissance assesses HN support capabilities. A key issue will be the 

standards of HSS available, compared to the multinational force and national contingent 

criteria.

(4) HSS requirements are to be determined by the appropriate multinational 

force commander in consultation with contributing nations and the HSS planning staff. 

HSS resources will be specified as those necessary to prevent and control DNBI and to 

collect, evacuate, and treat casualties.

(5) Maximum effort must be made to tailor HSS mission requirements. 

Medical planners must find a balance of capabilities. An example may be to organize a 

single nation to provide a particular function, such as lead agent, for all contingents. 
Chapter V

V-14 JP 4-02 

(6) From the outset of an operation, policy must be established regarding the 

entitlement of non-US military and/or nonmilitary staffs and other authorized personnel 

in-theater and for all medical treatment other than emergency measures.

(7) Establishing the patient movement policy is a command decision of each 

nation. Medical and logistic staffs will advise. The CCMD surgeon will promulgate 

recommendations and will monitor the established patient movement policy.

(8) A comprehensive and effective communications system and intelligence 

plan is fundamental to multinational HSS planning considerations. It begins prior to 

deployment, with the establishment of a competent medical planning team at the 

multinational force HQ. It is also crucially dependent upon the following: 

(a) Clearly established lines of accountability and control agreed to by all 

participating contingents.

(b) Liaison at every level including HN support and any NGOs in theater. 

(9) The expertise to manage PVNTMED responsibilities must be made 

available at all levels. The requirement will be for PVNTMED units as well as individual 

experts. The provision of this capability lends itself well to a lead nation approach. The 

shape and size of the theater PVNTMED capability will be dictated primarily by the 

following: 

(a) The size of the multinational force to be supported, its dispersal, and the 

theater topography. 

(b) The capability of national contingents to implement preventive 

measures independently.

(c) The responsibility to ensure that personnel are prepared and 

appropriately trained in field PVNTMED measures prior to deployment to an operation. 

This must include the necessary pretreatments, chemoprophylaxis, barrier creams, and 

immunizations.

1. Recommendations for pretreatment, immunization, and 

chemoprophylaxis for the multinational force will be made by the chief medical officer 

during the initial planning stage, but it remains the responsibility of each nation 

ultimately to ensure that its personnel are adequately protected. 

2. A multinational force policy must be issued as early as possible 

regarding the prophylaxis measures that must be taken by all individuals deploying into 

the operational area. Instructions must cover measures to be taken prior to deployment, 

while in-theater, and during post-deployment. 

(d) It is a national responsibility to maintain high standards with regard to 

the provision of food and water, as well as field sanitation standards. 
Health Service Support Operations 

V-15 

1. The JFS and/or chief medical officer will inspect and audit national 

measures to ensure that acceptable standards are maintained in these areas.

2. Minimum standards acceptable to all participating nations must be 

maintained if the MTFs are to be used to support personnel outside the respective 

national force. 

(10) The chief medical officer’s force hygiene officer is responsible for 

coordinating PVNTMED services such as regional spraying or vector control and 

advising on placing local population centers and/or facilities off limits.

(11) Education on prevention of diseases is a national responsibility. 

d. Patient Movement in Multinational Operations. The theater patient movement 

policy, known in some nations as a holding policy, is the key to balancing the treatment 

capability available at each level of care against the required medical patient movement 

assets. The provision of resources will be coordinated by the multinational force HSS 

planning staff but will comprise assets from a number of sources, including HN support. 

Theater medical patient movement requires careful planning and an acquisition and 

cross-servicing agreement.

(1) Patient movement from point of injury to Role 1—National responsibility. 

(2) Patient movement from Role 1 to Role 2/3—National, force, and lead 

nation. 

(3) Patient movement to Role 4—National, force, and lead nation. 

e. Personnel in Multinational Operations

(1) National contingents will be expeditiously notified through designated 

national liaison POCs of individuals that become critically injured and/or ill or die.

(2) Medical obligations under international law will be particularly crucial to 

the management of personnel such as EPWs, detainees, refugees, internally displaced 

persons, and other civilians. Medical plans must detail the degree of care to be offered to 

these groups and how continuity of care is to be provided, when needed. 

(3) Only urgent medical treatment, within the capability of the deployed 

multinational medical force and not otherwise available, will be offered to refugees and 

internally displaced persons in conjunction with HN or United Nations High Commission 

of Refugees.

(a) Detainees and EPWs may receive urgent medical treatment in force 

MTFs but are unlikely to remain in theater hospitals or be evacuated to force-provided 

definitive and rehabilitative care MTFs for continuing treatment. An alternative source 

of definitive treatment must be organized as part of the overall medical plan.
Chapter V

V-16 JP 4-02 

(b) Customary international, US, and HN law will concern a range of 

issues, particularly regarding the provision of medical evidence for inquiries into deaths 

and severe injury. 

f. Medical Logistics in Multinational Operations. The holding, issuing, and 

accounting for all medical, dental, and veterinary supplies (equipment, pharmaceutical, 

and consumables) to a multinational force are a major undertaking. It is a joint 

responsibility of the chief medical officer and the MEDLOG officer, whose offices must 

cooperate to create a system with the necessary reliability, flexibility, and speed. The 

supply of blood and blood products to multinational operations is a complex and sensitive 

issue, stemming from the wide disparity of standards between nations and the legal 

constraints incumbent upon some of them. Consequently it is considered as a separate 

function within health service logistics. The availability of blood and blood products is 

essential for management of the seriously injured and sick. For the majority of 

multinational operations, this will require its provision at theater hospitals and at forward 

resuscitative care capabilities if providing resuscitative surgical care.

(1) For multinational operations, the general principle is that national 

contingents should be responsible for the supply of blood to their own injured and sick. 

In reality, this is not always a practical proposition. The requirement must, therefore, be 

that all blood and blood products used in theater comply with internationally agreed-upon 

standards. Where a particular nation cannot accept this as policy, they must organize 

their own system of supply at national expense. 

(2) The most cost-effective and rational approach is for the force medical 

planning staffs to coordinate supplies through the lead nation, using supplies from a 

nation whose blood and blood products are acceptable to all contingents. 

(3) Consider laws and regulations of each country applicable to their personnel. 

g. Legal Issues in Multinational Operations

(1) Both international and national law, particularly concerning the medical 

management of refugees, detainees, and non-entitled civilians, must be considered in 

multinational operations. The JFS should be particularly sensitized to the limits imposed 

by Title 10, USC, which outlines under what conditions non-DOD beneficiaries can 

receive medical treatment from US medical forces.

(2) Any pathological materials and/or tissues taken in the course of conducting 

an autopsy or preparing a death certificate must be turned over to the decedent’s national 

representative. Human remains are returned through designated mortuary affairs 

personnel. In addition to the legal issues, social and cultural customs with regard to the 

disposition of deceased personnel should be respected to the extent possible. 

7. Detainee Operations

a. During the conduct of joint and multinational operations, the JFS and component 

medical forces must be prepared to provide health support to a wide array of individuals 
Health Service Support Operations 

V-17 

that may be detained by US forces. Joint publication (JP) 3-63, Detainee Operations,

provides detailed guidance for planning and executing detainee operations. 

b. It is DOD policy that all persons detained by the Armed Forces of the US during 

the course of military operations shall be treated humanely from the moment they fall 

into the hands of US forces until their release. The inhumane treatment of detainees is 

prohibited by the Uniform Code of Military Justice, domestic and customary international 

law, and DOD policy. 

c. It is DOD policy that all DOD personnel (military and civilian personnel) and 

contractors authorized to accompany the force who obtain information about a reportable 

incident (such as abuse) as set forth in DODD 2311.01E, DOD Law of War Program, and 

DODI 2310.08E, Medical Program Support for Detainee Operations, will immediately 

report the incident through their chain of command or supervision. Reports also may be 

made through other channels, such as the military police, a judge advocate, a chaplain, or 

an inspector general, who will then forward a report through the appropriate chain of 

command or supervision. 

d. The medical program support for detainee operations shall comply with the 

principles, spirit, and intent of the international law of war and the Geneva Conventions. 

To the extent practicable, treatment of detainees should be guided by professional 

judgments and standards similar to those that would be applied to personnel of the Armed 

Forces of the US. Medical program support for detainee operations should: 

(1) Provide medical care that focuses upon emergency surgery and essential 

postoperative management to prevent probable death or loss of limb or body functions; 

essential care; and sanitary and PVNTMED measures to include isolation areas, as 

necessary to prevent epidemics, routine sick calls, and specialized medical care and 

treatment as appropriate.

(2) Ensure the provision of an initial detainee medical screening that includes 

an examination and documentation of the detainee’s physical and medical condition upon 

initiation of detention; a monthly medical screening to monitor the general state of health, 

nutrition, and cleanliness of detainees; and ensures that the detainee repatriation and 

release procedures include a medical screening, instructions for the use of prescribed 

medications, a supply of medications, and that all appropriate medical and dental records 

accompany the detainee.

(3) Ensure that the appropriate health care providers are available to address the 

health care needs of female and juvenile detainees. Copies of the medical record should 

accompany the detainee whenever they are transferred to another facility or repatriated.

(4) Establish accurate and complete medical records on all detainees. Medical 

records must be established and maintained for all detainee medical encounters, whether

in fixed facilities or through medical personnel in the field.

(5) Ensure that detainees are not utilized as human subjects for 

medical/scientific experimentation. 
Chapter V

V-18 JP 4-02 

(6) Ensure that health care professionals charged with any form of assistance 

with the interrogation process, to include interpretation of medical records are not 

involved in any aspect of detainee health care. Health care providers charged with the 

care of detainees should not be actively involved in the interrogation process, advise 

interrogators how to conduct interrogations, or interpret individual medical 

records/medical data for the purposes of interrogation or intelligence gathering. 

(7) Ensure that the psychologist assigned as the behavioral science consultant 

that assists interrogators and the detention staff with interrogations and the management 

of detainees is not assigned a mission of patient care. Personnel that comprise the 

behavioral science consultation team are not assigned to MTFs and employ their 

professional training not in a provider-patient relationship. Therefore, behavioral science 

consultation team members should not consult with the detainee medical treatment team 

on issues of detainee medical care.

(8) Advises the detention facility commander on the caloric content and dietary 

suitability of detainee rations. Account will also be taken of the habitual diet and 

religious/cultural requirements of the detainees.

For more information, see JP 3-63, Detainee Operations.

e. The JFS in conjunction with the staff judge advocate should develop detainee 

medical care policy recommendations for the JFC according to applicable laws and 

regulations. Additionally, the JFS should consider the following when developing 

medical plans for supporting detainee operations: 

(1) Ensuring that the medical annex (Medical Services) of OPLANs and 

OPORDs, and appropriate concept plans (CONPLANs) and fragmentary orders 

(FRAGORDs) includes procedures for the treatment of detainees that is guided by 

professional judgments and standards similar to those that would be applied to personnel 

of the Armed Forces of the US. Medical support should specifically include: emergency 

and essential medical care that provides for restoration of functional health, prevention of 

disease, and establishing policy for the medical repatriation of detainees. Services 

include professional medical services, medical supply, and medical nutrition therapy. 

Medical support should have oversight of all sanitary aspects of food service including 

provisions for potable water, field hygiene and sanitation, pest management, and 

entomological support, PVNTMED (to include immunizations as directed and established 

by applicable policies), and review/coordination of use and assignment of medically 

trained detainees and medical materials. 

(2) Tasking subordinate MTFs/units to support detainee operations and provide 

medical care that focuses upon emergency surgery and essential postoperative 

management to prevent probable death or loss of limb or body functions; essential care; 

higher medical care as required (including dental and optometry); isolation areas (for 

contagious disease) if necessary, and routine sick call.
Health Service Support Operations 

V-19 

(3) Recommending to the JFC an immunization policy for detainees as dictated 

by the disease health threat.

(4) Ensuring the provision for an initial medical screening of detainees that 

includes an examination and documentation of the detainees’ physical condition upon 

initiation of detention, and the examining of detainees for contagious diseases. 

(5) Ensuring that interpreters are available to translate patient complaints to 

attending medical personnel.

(6) Developing plans for prisoners who refuse meals and plans for prisoners

who refuse medical treatment.

(7) Ensuring that plans and appropriate procedures are developed to manage an 

outbreak of contagious disease within the detainee population. 

(8) A process to document detainee authorization for all surgical or invasive 

procedures performed on detainees. 

8. Operations in a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Environment

a. The JFC, at all levels, is faced with the possibility that any operation may have to 

be conducted in a CBRN environment. The term “CBRN environment” refers to the 

conditions found in an area resulting from immediate or persistent effects of CBRN 

attacks or unintentional releases, including toxic industrial material. The threat of having 

to conduct operations in a CBRN environment poses unique challenges to medical forces 

worldwide. 

b. The component command surgeons, working with the appointed JFS, are 

responsible for guiding and integrating all medical capabilities available to the command 

to support mission accomplishment in a CBRN environment. In planning for HSS in 

potential CBRN environments, preparations should include pre-exposure immunizations, 

pretreatments, prophylaxis, and medical barrier materials applicable to the entire force 

including multinational, interagency, and civilian participants.

c. CBRN contamination mitigation may require the efforts of specialized military 

forces. Medical forces may require coordination and cooperation with agencies, 

organizations, and individuals outside the military chain of command or direct control. 

In many situations, the JFC may be in a supporting role to civil authorities, or to HN 

authorities. Regardless of the role, the JFC and joint force elements must be prepared for 

CBRN contamination at any point, including the transition from a noncombat to combat 

environment. In the US, there may be a requirement to augment civilian medical 

capabilities in the handling of casualties resulting from CBRN incidents. The ability of 

domestic and HN MTFs to handle MASCALs from CBRN effects should be assessed and 

factored into US joint and multinational planning. Close coordination with health 

support and other public health providers in the theater is a vital means of detecting 

chemical or biological attacks, since casualties from such an attack may appear initially 

in the civilian medical system.
Chapter V

V-20 JP 4-02 

d. In planning CBRN defensive measures, the JFC should make good use of the 

numerous publications each Service produces and consider potential defensive measures. 

These defensive measures should include targeting key areas for surveillance, employing 

personal protective measures to help prevent exposure, and instituting detection 

strategies.

e. Adversary use of weapons of mass destruction can create large numbers of 

casualties who have been exposed to CBRN hazards, pathogens, toxins, and radioactive 

matter. The fact that the exposure was deliberate does not alter the basic principles of 

treatment. Medical treatment facilities should, however, be prepared to respond rapidly 

as casualty workload will likely peak quickly with little advance warning. As some 

biological agents are transmissible between humans, they may cause problems for some 

time after any initial attack.

f. PVNTMED specialists play an important role in assessing the health threat posed 

by a CBRN incident. They can identify potential health threats and determine when to 

use immunizations, prophylaxis, and other prevention measures. Following any CBRN 

incident, special emphasis should be placed upon food and water sanitation, hygiene, and 

common prevention measures that reduce the spread of disease. All food, except canned 

goods, must be thoroughly inspected before consumption. Insect and rodent control 

becomes more important following a CBRN incident because vectors can serve as 

continuing sources of infection and spread of contamination. Rigid enforcement of water 

sanitation and personal hygiene measures may reduce the incident’s effects.

g. One of the first considerations following a CBRN incident is to determine to what 

extent evacuation assets will be committed to contaminated areas. In rare cases, transport 

may be essential to preserve life or continue critical missions. Patients with known or 

suspected contamination with CBRN agents should be treated in-place and not be moved 

within the AE system. In rare cases, movement may be essential to preserve life or meet 

critical operational objectives. Prior to movement, decontamination must be performed 

to the extent possible and all efforts made to prevent the spread on contamination during 

movement. Concurrence for medical movement of contaminated patients is granted by 

referring and receiving geographic combatant commander (GCC), the USTRANSCOM 

Commander, and SecDef in consultation with medical authorities. 

h. Decontamination of patients serves three purposes: it reduces the amount of 

contaminant that is absorbed by the patient, prevents the potential spread of 

contamination, and protects medical assets (including medical personnel). 

Decontamination and triage of CBRN casualties will obviously vary with the situation 

and the contaminant. Therefore, medical units should have a basic CBRN MASCAL 

plan that can be modified to meet varying situations. Each medical facility must be able 

to establish its own decontamination area. As in any MASCAL situation, arriving 

casualties should be examined at a triage point and directed to the proper area. An 

additional triage decision in CBRN MASCAL situations is whether patients have medical 

conditions that take priority over decontamination. Ninety percent of all decontamination 

can be performed without interfering with medical treatment simply by removing a 

casualty’s outer clothing and shoes. 
Health Service Support Operations 

V-21 

i. Even if a CBRN attack produces few fatalities, it may likely result in numerous 

casualties who require extensive treatment, and a large number of patients who are well 

but will report for medical treatment anyway. Medical staffs will be taxed. Additionally, 

medical personnel may need to work in mission-oriented protective posture gear, which 

will reduce their effectiveness. Decontamination efforts may reduce staff available to 

perform medical functions. As a result, the unit will be considerably less effective. 

For more information, see JP 3-11, Operations in Chemical, Biological, Radiological, 

and Nuclear Environments. 

9. Contractor Support

a. Contracted support spans the spectrum of support functions and may include 

interpreter, communications, infrastructure, and other non-logistic-related support. 

b. This section provides the basic doctrine for DOD contractors and their 

subcontractors at all tiers under DOD contracts, including third country nationals and 

local national personnel, who provide support to US military forces in contingency 

operations or other military options designated by the GCC, under such contracts. It also 

addresses a subcategory of contingency contract personnel, which are provided with an 

appropriate identification card under the Geneva Conventions. The doctrine does not 

apply to those contractor personnel in the US and its territories; nor does it apply to 

contractor personnel who support long-term forward-stationed US organizations and 

facilities located outside any declared contingency area.

c. Prior to deploying, certain medical readiness requirements must be satisfied for 

contingency contractors authorized to accompany the force to deploy to an operational 

area. These predeployment requirements identified during the planning process and 

included in the appropriate contract, communicate to the contractor the specific theater 

medical readiness requirements. GCCs should ensure that contractors authorized to 

accompany the force are not permitted entry into their theaters without first being 

medically evaluated and prepared for entry into the operational area by processing 

through a deployment center or approved contractor run process. Medical and dental 

screening of contractors authorized to accompany the force should be accomplished prior 

to deploying to avoid returning medically unfit individuals from the theater. Similar to 

military personnel, contractors authorized to accompany the force should pass a complete

medical evaluation based on the functional requirements of the job required by contract 

in the operational area. Emphasis should be placed on diagnosing cardiovascular, 

pulmonary, orthopedic, neurologic, endocrinologic, dermatologic, psychological, visual, 

and auditory conditions, which may preclude performing the functional requirements of 

the contract, especially in austere work environments encountered in some contingency 

operations. Additionally, contractors authorized to accompany the force should have a 

thorough dental exam and complete all necessary dental work prior to deployment. 

Individuals that are deemed not medically qualified at the deployment center or during 

the deployment process, or require extensive preventive dental care, should not be 

authorized to deploy. 
Chapter V

V-22 JP 4-02 

(1) DOD contractors are responsible for providing medically, physically, and 

psychologically fit personnel to perform contracted duties in contingency or crisis 

operations as outlined in the contract. The fitness specifically includes the ability to 

accomplish the tasks and duties unique to a particular operation and the ability to tolerate 

the environmental and operational conditions of the deployed location. SecDef may 

direct immunizations as mandatory for contractors deploying with the force personnel 

performing essential DOD contractor services per DODI 6205.4, Immunization of Other 

Than United States Forces for Biological Warfare Defense. 

(2) Any contractors authorized to accompany the force deemed unsuitable for 

deployment due to medical or dental reasons should not be authorized to deploy with the 

military force. Additionally, contingency contractors authorized to accompany the force 

should not be authorized to deploy without collection of required medical, dental, and 

deoxyribonucleic acid reference specimens for accession into the Armed Forces 

Repository of Specimen Samples for the Identification of Remains, per DODI 5154.30, 

Armed Forces Institute of Pathology Operations. 

(3) GCCs should ensure that all contracts, with associated contractors 

authorized to accompany the force employees, contain minimum medical and dental 

requirements and a requirement for contractors to provide these records for their 

deploying personnel. 

(4) The CCMD surgeon and subordinate JFSs should ensure that HSS, either as 

a responsibility of the contractor or the GCC/JFC, is fully delineated in OPLANs, 

OPORDs, and operational specific policy to assure appropriate medical staffing in the 

area of responsibility/JOA; and should also include contractors authorized to accompany 

the force that are providing essential contractor services, in their medical surveillance 

plans. The supporting contracting office is responsible to ensure these requirements are 

documented in the contract. 

d. The austere environment that contractors authorized to accompany the force may 

deploy to and operate in, coupled with the potential for limited availability of indigenous 

medical capabilities in theater, dictates that GCCs through the contract, establish and 

enforce the requirements for health, dental, and physical standards. Contractors 

authorized to accompany the force who become unfit to perform their contractor duties in 

theater through their own actions (such as pregnancy, alcohol or drug abuse), should be 

removed from the theater at the contractor’s expense.

(1) During contingency operations in austere and nonpermissive environments, 

contingency contractor personnel may not have access to emergency medical support 

established by their employer. Medical treatment facilities within the theater of 

operations should provide resuscitative care, limited hospitalization for stabilization and 

short-term medical treatment, with an emphasis on return to duty or placement in the 

patient movement system; and assist with patient movement to a selected civilian facility, 

in emergencies where loss of life, limb, or eyesight could occur. All costs associated 

with the treatment and transportation of contingency contractor personnel to the selected 
Health Service Support Operations 

V-23 

civilian facility are reimbursable to the USG and is the responsibility of the contingency 

contractor personnel, their employer, or their health insurance provider. 

(2) Contingency contractor personnel are afforded resuscitative and medical 

care, when life, limb, or eyesight is jeopardized, and emergency medical and dental care 

while supporting contingency operations. Emergency medical and dental care include, 

but are not limited to, refills of prescription or life-dependent drugs (Note: contractor 

personnel are required to deploy with 180 days of required medication and cannot be 

assured that their specific medication will be included on the theater pharmaceutical 

formulary), broken bones, lacerations, broken teeth, or lost fillings. 

(3) Contingency contractors authorized to accompany the force are not 

authorized primary and routine medical or dental care unless specifically authorized 

under the terms of the DOD contract and approved by the supported JFC. Primary 

medical and dental care includes inpatient and outpatient services; nonemergency 

evacuation; pharmaceutical support; dental services and other medical support as 

determined by the GCC/JFC based on recommendations from the JFS and existing 

capabilities of the forward-deployed MTFs. Contractors authorized to accompany the 

force must make non-DOD arrangements to obtain all of their chronic prescription 

therapy.

(4) In instances where contractor personnel require patient movement for 

medical reasons from the area of responsibility/JOA to a MTF funded by the Defense 

Health Program, normal reimbursement policies would apply for services rendered by the 

facility. Should contractor personnel require MEDEVAC to the US, the sending MTF 

should assist the contractors authorized to accompany in coordinating arrangements for 

transfer to a civilian facility of their choice. When US forces provide emergency medical 

care to non-contractors authorized to accompany the force hired under theater or external 

support contracts, these patients should be evacuated/transported via national means 

(when possible) to the nearest local medical care facility. 

(5) Non-contractors authorized to accompany the force are not authorized to 

receive medical and dental support from US MTFs, but may receive resuscitative care 

from US medical sources when injured on the job while working within the confines of a 

US military facility or in the vicinity of US troops on a reimbursable basis. When 

resuscitative care is provided to non-contractors authorized to accompany the force 

personnel, they should be transferred to a local medical facility as soon as medically 

feasible.
Chapter V

V-24 JP 4-02 

Intentionally Blank
VI-1 

CHAPTER VI

JOINT HEALTH PLANNING 

1. Introduction 

This chapter presents an overview of joint health planning for the JFS and staff when 

faced with a specific contingency. More detailed guidance on joint planning is provided 

in JP 5-0, Joint Operation Planning. 

2. Health Support Planning Considerations 

a. Timely, effective planning and coordination are essential to ensure adequate and 

sustainable health support in a JOA. Proper planning permits a systematic examination 

of all factors in a projected operation and ensures interoperability with the campaign plan 

or OPLAN (see Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Manual [CJCSM] 3122.03C, Joint 

Operation Planning and Execution System Volume II, Planning Formats.) Organization 

of the health support system is determined by the joint force’s mission, the threat, 

intelligence, anticipated number of patients, duration of the operation, the theater patient 

movement policy, available lift, MEDLOG capabilities, and hospitalization requirements 

(see Figure VI-1). 

(1) Threat. The threat is a composite of ongoing or potential adversary actions; 

occupational, environmental, geographical, and meteorological conditions; endemic 

diseases that can reduce the effectiveness of the joint force through wounds, injuries, 

illness, and psychological stressors; and the employment of weapons of mass destruction. 

(2) Medical Intelligence. Medical intelligence is produced from the collection, 

evaluation, and analysis of information concerning the health threats and medical 

capabilities of foreign countries and non-state players that have immediate or potential 

impact on policies, plans, or operations. 

(a) Medical intelligence merges the capabilities of the medical and 

intelligence communities to gain a better understanding of potential threats and to 

identify mitigation and response options to minimize potential impacts. Through 

proactive analysis and increased situational awareness, medical intelligence is an 

essential component in understanding the threat environment and formulating policy and 

response options. Medical intelligence data is critical in enabling the JFS and medical 

planner to provide the joint force command with information to attain situational 

understanding of health threats; enable the development of HSS and FHP policies and 

strategies that mitigate natural, accidental, and intentional incidents; provide information 

to assist in the deterrence, prevention, mitigation, and destruction of CBRN threats and 

“A good battle plan that you act on today can be better than a perfect one 

tomorrow.” 

George S. Patton (1885-1945) 
Chapter VI 

VI-2 JP 4-02 

aggression; and redefine the operational environment from a medical perspective by 

employing strategic and PVNTMED response planning. 

(b) The JFS and medical planner must consider the entire scope of the 

threat to affect HSS and FHP, and make allowances for the medical intelligence 

preparation of the operational environment. Medical intelligence preparation of the 

operational environment is a component of the joint intelligence preparation of the 

operational environment process, and it assists JFSs and medical planners in analyzing 

enemy, environmental, and medical threats in the JOA. It includes data not only on 

health and disease threats in the JOA but also intelligence information on enemy 

Legend

MEDLOG medical logistics POW prisoner of war

Preventive 

Medicine and 

Health Surveillance

Prevention of 

Mass Casualty Stress Casualties

Situations

Veterinary Service

Dental Service

Health Service 

Support 

Planning 

Considerations

Threat Medical 

Intelligence

Patient Movement

Health Support for 

Returned US POWs 

and Detained 

Personnel

Patient Movement 

Items

Host-Nation 

Support

Clinical Capabilities 

and MEDLOG 

Support

Pharmacy 

Service

Health Support for 

Detainees

Health Support Planning Considerations

Figure VI-1. Health Support Planning Considerations
 Joint Health Planning 

VI-3 

capabilities (to include medical); the terrain; weather; the local medical infrastructure; 

potential humanitarian and displaced personnel situations; transportation issues; political, 

religious, and cultural beliefs; and social issues. 

(3) Patient Movement. Timely patient movement plays an important role in 

the design of health support. Patient movement is the result of collaborative lift-bed 

planning and involves selection of patients for movement based on medical condition, 

location of available beds, route planning, selection of movement platforms, and 

movement control. The medical planner should consider using all means of patient 

movement. 

(4) Patient Movement Items. PMIs are specific medical equipment and 

durable supplies that must be available to support patient movement. Examples of PMIs 

include ventilators, litters, patient monitors, and pulse oximeters. The purpose of the 

PMI system (see Figure VI-2) is to support patient movement through pre-positioning, 

exchanging, and recycling of PMIs so that MTF medical capability is not degraded. The 

originating MTF will identify, on the patient movement request, any special medical 

equipment for transport. The MTF cannot necessarily provide PMIs for patients. PMIs 

accompany a patient throughout the chain of movement, from the originating MTF to the 

destination MTF, whether it is an intratheater or intertheater transfer. Planners must 

ensure that PMIs are available at the correct location and ready for use and PMI centers 

are established (establishment of theater PMI centers and cells is the responsibility of the 

USAF). PMI centers, cells, and nodes are established at aerial ports of 

embarkation/debarkation, AE hubs and/or Role 3 facilities to support patient movement. 

Levels will be established based on the worst three days of patient movement, either 

based on planning factors for initial setup or six-month historical data for continuous 

operations. Centers, cells, and nodes track, receive, and refurbish (based on local 

capability) PMIs to ensure availability for patient movement. Patient movement centers 

can be augmented with personnel and equipment from the other Services; liaison 

personnel may also be assigned. At the time an MTF initiates a patient movement 

request requiring PMIs, the PMI center, cell, and/or node will initiate action for the 

replenishment or exchange of in-kind PMIs. 

(5) Clinical Capabilities and MEDLOG Support. Specific clinical 

capabilities, location, MEDLOG supportability, and bed requirements must be considered 

when planning health support and must be detailed in the respective OPLAN. Medical 

planners must consider the following: 

(a) Sufficient personnel with the clinical capabilities necessary to provide 

care for the expected number and types of patients in the theater. 

(b) Specific clinical capability, relative mobility, logistic supportability, 

and the necessity to ensure a logical expansion of capabilities in theater. 

(c) Critical time and distance factors that impact on morbidity and 

mortality rates. 
Chapter VI 

VI-4 JP 4-02 

(d) Medical logistic issues, including: 

1. Standardization. 

2. Use of a theater SIMLM. 

3. Establish liaison with the TLAMM. 

4. Items requiring special handling and storage. 

5. Transportation and distribution. 

6. Assessment and use of PMI asset tracking. 

7. Type and quantity of medical supplies needed. 

8. Supply procedures and sustainment requirements. 

9. Medical equipment maintenance and support requirements. 

Patient 

Movement 

Item System

Supports in-transit

medical capability

Provides a seamless

in-transit

patient/equipment

management process

Deploys with and is

managed through the

aeromedical evacuation

system and supplied

through the normal

supply system

Patient movement

item centers

responsible for

overall management,

in-transit visibility

Patient Movement Item System

Figure VI-2. Patient Movement Item System
 Joint Health Planning 

VI-5 

10. Disposition of medical waste in accordance with health and 

environmental considerations. 

11. Optical fabrication. 

12. MEDLOG information management systems. 

13. Medical facility planning and management. 

(e) Blood product supply and distribution. 

(6) Preventive Medicine and Health Surveillance. Risk assessment and 

analysis as well as PVNTMED measures must be included early in medical planning. 

The deployment health surveillance program is initiated and the means to counter the 

health threats in the operational area are identified to the greatest extent possible, before 

the forces arrive. Specific PVNTMED procedures are generally the responsibility of the 

component commands. The JFS advises the CCDR on specific PVNTMED procedures 

to be implemented, typically accomplished through the component commands. 

(7) Prevention of Stress Casualties. Prevention of stress casualties and 

control of combat and operational stress is a command and leader responsibility. Medical 

and other personnel at all levels play important supporting roles. A coordinated program 

must be planned for the prevention, treatment, and return to duty of combat stress 

reaction casualties. Active education, training, and prevention programs assist with 

controlling stress and preparing unit leaders and medical personnel to identify and 

manage stress reactions in units. 

(8) Mass Casualty Situations. Procedures for handling MASCALs must be 

established to include casualty management resulting from CBRN incidents (including 

the employment of weapons of mass destruction), combat, or other military operations. 

Particular emphasis is placed on the flexibility of medical units to respond to sudden 

changes in the casualty situation. Successful management of a MASCAL situation is a 

complex task where success relies as much on well-practiced logistics and 

communications as it does on skilled medical treatment. The JFS must ensure that the 

communications, transportation, triage and emergency management, patient movement, 

and MEDLOG management aspects of the MASCAL plan are thoroughly rehearsed. 

Additionally, JFSs must ensure that chaplains are present to support wounded or injured 

personnel as well as staff members both during and after the situation. 

(9) Veterinary Services. See Chapter IV, “Force Health Protection,” 

Paragraph 8, “Veterinary Services.”

(10) Dental Service. As a functional category of health support, dental service 

plays a significant role in FHP for the joint force. Dental services must be included in the 

early stages of planning. Dental resources and capabilities must be planned for and 

include the treatment, restoration, and maintenance of oral health. 
Chapter VI 

VI-6 JP 4-02 

(a) Dental Readiness. Dental readiness and dental health should be in 

accordance with policy requirements and available resources. 

1. A healthy and fit force provides the commander with optimally fit 

military personnel capable of withstanding the physical and mental rigors associated with 

combat and other military operations. In-garrison and operational dental care ensures a 

dental ready force. 

2. Dental care is preventive in nature, thereby ensuring protection. 

3. Dental’s secondary mission is to augment medical assets during 

MASCAL situations. Proper planning and training are essential to mission success. 

(b) Dental service planning must include the consideration of two 

categories of dental services in joint and multinational operations. One category of dental 

care is provided within the operational area, and another category of dental services is 

provided in the support base. 

(c) The planning process includes an evaluation of the size and anticipated 

duration of the operation, along with categories of dental care required to support the 

operation. 

1. Category I—Operational Care

a. Emergency Care. Care given for the relief of oral pain; 

diagnosis and treatment of infections; control of life-threatening oral conditions 

(hemorrhage, cellulitis, or respiratory difficulties); and treatment of trauma to teeth, jaws 

(maxilla/mandible), and associated facial structures is considered emergency care. It is 

the most austere type of care and is available to deployed military personnel. Common 

examples of emergency treatments are airway management, hemorrhage control, 

stabilization of maxillofacial injuries (fracture stabilization, soft tissue injury/laceration 

repair), simple extractions, management of maxillofacial infection (antibiotics, incision, 

and drainage), interim pulp therapy (pulpectomy), pain medication, and temporary 

restorations. 

b. Essential Nonemergency Care. Care necessary to intercept 

potential emergencies to prevent lost duty time and preserve fighting strength is 

considered essential nonemergency care. Personnel in Dental Class 3 (untreated oral 

disease with potential to cause an emergency within 12 months) should be provided this 

level of care as the tactical situation permits. Common examples of essential 

nonemergency care are basic restorations, extractions, definitive pulp therapy 

(pulpectomy, obturation), treatment of periodontal conditions, and simple prosthetic 

repairs. Essential nonemergency care is also intended to maintain the overall oral fitness 

of personnel at a level consistent with combat readiness. Most dental disease is chronic 

and recurring. Unit dental readiness and health will deteriorate from the day of 

deployment if essential dental care is not provided by deployed dental support. Joint task 

force dental units should provide essential nonemergency care to those in Dental Class 2 
 Joint Health Planning 

VI-7 

(untreated oral disease not anticipated to cause an emergency within 12 months) as the 

tactical situation and availability of dental resources permit. 

2. Category II—Comprehensive Care. Dental treatment to restore 

and/or maintain optimal oral health, function, and esthetics is comprehensive dental care. 

This category of care is usually reserved for medical support plans that anticipate an 

extended period of reception and training in theater and is also included as a component 

of the theater hospitalization capability. The scope of facilities needed to provide this 

level of dental support could equal that of theater hospitalization capability MTFs. 

(11) Pharmacy Service. Ensure a pharmacy capability is established as 

required by the mission and any requirement to support recurring prescriptions for 

deploying forces. 

(12) Host-Nation Support. HN support can be a significant force multiplier. 

HN support must be equivalent to US standards for services provided to US forces. The 

JFS must assess HN medical capabilities and make recommendations to the JFC on their 

use for deployed US forces. Descriptions of HN medical capabilities should be sought 

from sources such as the NCMI (http://www.intelink.gov/ncmi or analogous classified 

site), Foreign Clearance Guide (http//www.fcg.pentagon.mil/fcg.cfm), US embassy 

health unit personnel in-country, base support plan surveys, and recent exercise or 

operation after-action reports. In many operations, HN blood supplies do not meet US 

standards of care. The JFS should make arrangements to store and use blood products 

from United States-approved sources even if HN MTFs are planned to support the 

deployed force. HN support may reduce the lift requirements necessary to deploy health 

support to the JOA. 

(13) Health Support for Returned United States Prisoners of War and 

Detained Personnel. The CCDR establishes a theater plan on the proper handling and 

provision of health support for returned US prisoners of war (POWs) and detained 

personnel. 

(14) Health Support for Detainees. The JFS and medical planner in 

conjunction with the staff judge advocate should develop detainee medical care policy 

recommendations for the JFC in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The 

JFS and medical planner should ensure that the approved detainee medical care policies 

are published in the medical annex of OPLANs and OPORDs, and appropriate 

CONPLANs and FRAGORDs. Additionally, when developing medical plans for 

supporting detainee operations, the JFS and medical planner should consider, at a 

minimum, that the medical annex of OPLANs and OPORDs includes procedures to the 

extent practicable, for the treatment of detainees that are guided by professional 

judgments and standards similar to those that would be applied to personnel of the Armed 

Forces of US. Additional considerations should include, but are not limited to 

appropriate intervention procedures for prisoners on hunger strikes or who refuse 

treatment; appropriate procedures that manage an outbreak of contagious disease within 

the detainee population; the provision for an initial medical screening of detainees; 

interpreters that are available to translate patient complaints to attending medical 
Chapter VI 

VI-8 JP 4-02 

personnel; and an immunization policy for detainees as dictated by the disease health 

threat. 

b. Additional Health Support Considerations

(1) Health Support in Multinational Operations. US military operations are 

often conducted with the armed forces of other nations in pursuit of common objectives. 

Each multinational operation is unique, and key considerations involved in planning and 

conducting multinational operations vary with the international situation and 

perspectives, motives, and values of the organization’s members. JFSs and medical 

planners should be cognizant of the following regarding multinational operations: 

(a) Cultural Differences. Medical personnel should remain mindful of the 

fact that each force has a unique cultural identity. The JFS and medical planner should 

identify key staff positions with language and regional expertise requirements and ensure 

adequate interpreters or translators and area specialists are appropriately planned for to 

support medical operations. 

(b) Liaison. The JFS and medical planner should establish multinational 

medical liaison officer requirements early in the planning process. 

(c) Medical Intelligence. Members of the multinational force may operate 

separate intelligence systems in support of their own policy and military forces. These 

national systems may vary widely in sophistication and focus and may not have 

capabilities similar to the US to collect and process medical intelligence. The JFS and 

medical planner should collaborate with the J-2 to provide appropriate information early 

in the planning process, so the JFC may determine what information can be shared with 

multinational forces. 

(2) Health Support in JRSOI Operations. JRSOI operations encompass all 

of the activities needed to receive a unit’s equipment and personnel at aerial ports of 

debarkation and seaports of debarkation. The JFS and medical planner’s scope of 

responsibilities during JRSOI activities typically begins prior to the reception of units at 

the aerial port of debarkations and seaport of debarkations. Medical planning for JRSOI 

operations should include an assessment of HN medical facilities and services for 

potential HN support, predeployment planning activities for FHP, and planning for 

medical capabilities to sustain health support operations during the four phases of JRSOI 

operations. The JFS and medical planner should also ensure JROSI, HSS, and FHP 

requirements are appropriately detailed in the appropriate OPLANs and OPORDs. 

(3) Health Support for Contractors Authorized to Accompany the Force. 

The JFS and medical planner should ensure that health support, either as a responsibility 

of the contractor or the JFC, is fully delineated in OPLANs, OPORDs, and contracts to 

assure appropriate medical support in the JOA for contractors deploying with the force. 

Additionally, the JFS and medical planner should ensure specific theater medical 

readiness requirements to include predeployment and FHP requirements and requisite 

individual medical training to include safety, first aid, sanitation, health risks, and health 
 Joint Health Planning 

VI-9 

protection measures, including those related to CBRN, and environmental and/or 

industrial threats are identified in the medical annex of OPLANs and OPORDs. 

(4) Health Support for Medical Civil-Military Operations. The JFS may be 

tasked to support or execute civil-military operations, in coordination with civil affairs 

elements. If assigned medical civil-military operations missions, the JFS and medical 

planner must consider the different types of medical resources required to conduct such 

operations and must coordinate closely with civil affairs elements, information 

operations, the USG department or agency or other agencies such as multinational 

partners, HN agencies, IGOs, NGOs, and other groups to include religious organizations, 

that may have the lead for all or part of a given operation, to ensure unity of effort. 

Coordination and support planning should be appropriately identified in the civil-military 

and interagency annexes of OPLANs and OPORDs. The JFS and medical planner should 

also ensure that during the various phases of planning for medical civil-military 

operations missions, consideration is given to ensuring the medical staff includes an 

international health officer or SME with regional medical expertise. The international 

health officer or SME should foster partnerships with military, civilian, HN, 

multinational and USG personnel, NGOs, and IGOs, and provide technical expertise, and 

assistance in identifying and assessing foreign national public and private health systems, 

sanitation systems, health services, personnel, resources, and facilities. 

(5) Medical Waste and Other Environmental Considerations. The JFS, 

medical planner, and PVNTMED personnel in conjunction with the J-4, should develop 

plans to address the disposal of regulated medical and radiological waste. This plan 

should consider all aspects of operations to prevent pollution, protection of the 

environment, compliance with pertinent regulatory guidance/policy to mitigate exposure 

of US and multinational forces or subject the US to unfavorable publicity and future 

claims for damages. The JFS and medical planner should ensure the plan for medical 

waste and other environmental considerations are published in the medical annex and 

environmental consideration annex of OPLANs and OPORDs and appropriate 

FRAGORDs. 

(6) Interagency Coordination. As the US military increasingly integrates its 

operations with other organizations and nations, joint medical operations will require an 

increased contact and collaboration between the US military, USG departments and 

agencies, foreign governments, NGOs and IGOs, all of which will influence the 

development and execution of HSS and FHP operations. Close coordination and 

cooperation with these groups may prevent duplication, lessen the friction of potential 

rivalry, and improve results. The JFS and medical planner must consider processes and 

procedures to fully integrate the interagency perspective and position into medical 

planning, execution, and the assessment process; and should consider how joint HSS and 

FHP operations, and the actions of involved interagency organizations contribute toward 

the desired end state. This consideration requires extensive liaison and coordination with 

all involved parties. 

For additional doctrine on interagency coordination, see JP 3-08, Interorganizational 

Coordination during Joint Operations. 
Chapter VI 

VI-10 JP 4-02 

c. Other Planning Considerations. Other planning considerations that the medical 

planners must take into account to support joint operations include: 

(1) Ensuring that adequate joint medical communications architecture is 

established to provide compatible and responsive communications for the medical 

system. 

(2) Medical Engagement Protocols. While it is anticipated that medical care 

may be provided by the HN or other IGOs, the US may be requested to provide for 

certain categories of forces and other personnel within the JOA. Consequently, medical 

planning consideration may include many different populations, such as DOD civilians, 

contractors (including third country nationals and contractors deploying with the force), 

indigenous civilians, multination forces, other government agencies, NGOs, IGOs, and 

other personnel requesting assistance in circumstances of life, limb, or eyesight 

emergencies. JFSs and medical planners should review entitlements, applicable laws, 

and regulations for the provision of US military medical care to nonmilitary beneficiaries 

and military and nonmilitary personnel of other nations (to include eligibility for AE 

movement and procedures for obtaining SecDef designee status) and in consultation with 

the staff judge advocate, establish medical engagement protocols recommendations for 

the CCDR/JFC. Once established, JFCs, JFSs, and medical planners should ensure that 

the approved medical engagement protocol policies are published and disseminated to all 

joint force personnel. 

(3) Coordinate medical requirements in support of natural disasters. (Such 

coordination can be facilitated by conferring with the United Nations Office for 

Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, http://www.reliefweb.int, to prevent duplication of 

efforts by other countries, solicit current needs, and increase the effectiveness of response 

efforts from multiple responding countries and NGOs.) 

(4) Coordinate support with outside relief agencies (Red Cross, NGOs, and 

IGOs) in theater to ensure complete visibility for overall medical situation and 

requirements, including integrated transfer of responsibilities for policies and procedures. 

(5) Amphibious Task Force. Amphibious task force medical planning 

responsibilities are closely related to those of the landing force. Detailed, coordinated, 

and parallel planning is required between the commander of the amphibious task force 

and the commander of the landing force. Each surgeon of these commands has specific 

medical planning responsibilities that are detailed in JP 3-02, Amphibious Operations. 

(6) Airborne Operations. Airborne operations establish a lodgment in an 

isolated uncertain or hostile environment. Detailed, coordinated, and joint planning is 

required between the commander of the airborne task force and the joint force 

commander. Each surgeon of these commands has specific medical planning 

responsibilities that are detailed in JP 3-17, Air Mobility Operations, and JP 3-18, Joint 

Forcible Entry Operations. 
 Joint Health Planning 

VI-11 

(7) During planning and while supporting joint operations coordinate with the 

joint force chaplain’s office, the J-1, component commands, Service HQ, and others as 

required, to provide pastoral care and religious support at hospitals and MTFs. 

3. Planning Joint Medical Logistics 

a. Health support is reliant upon the specialized materiel and services provided by 

MEDLOG; therefore, the joint MEDLOG plan is an integral and critical component of 

annex Q (Medical Services). Medical units as well as maneuver units usually begin 

requesting MEDLOG support immediately upon arrival as they provide area medical 

support to organic personnel, identify unit shortages, or begin early operations in support 

of forces in the JOA. 

See Appendix D, “Medical Logistics Support,” for MEDLOG planning factors.

b. The MEDLOG planner must understand the CCDR’s CONOPS and the medical 

concept of support. This includes understanding any requirements to provide or receive 

MEDLOG. This includes anticipated medical risks and planned countermeasures for 

environmental and occupational threats and contingency plans to respond to a CBRN 

incident. The MEDLOG planner should also assess the possibility for mission expansion 

into FHA or ‘nation building’ and identify the additional capabilities that may be required 

to support these missions. 

c. The MEDLOG planner must coordinate with the command J-4 and other 

designated movement control organizations. Medical materiel will typically flow 

through the same distribution channels and is subject to the same movement controls as 

all other classes of supply. MEDLOG capabilities should be located at or near theater 

distribution nodes to enable access to intratheater distribution capabilities. Medical 

materiel normally flows into the theater by strategic air (military or commercial); 

therefore, primary medical theater distribution activity should be located at an aerial port 

of debarkation that has access both to strategic and intratheater distribution channels. 

d. The MEDLOG planner must consider several key aspects of support to ensure the 

appropriate supplies, equipment, and MEDLOG services will be available to meet 

medical requirements. 

See Appendix D, “Medical Logistics Support,” for key aspects of support considerations. 

e. The MEDLOG planner and JFS must identify the MEDLOG capabilities that are 

necessary to support the medical plan for incorporation into the CCDR’s force 

requirements and ensure they are programmed for movement into the theater. The timephased force and deployment data (TPFDD) is the portion of the OPLAN containing 

movement data for both cargo and personnel. Strategic lift into the theater is typically 

limited, and the CCDR establishes guidance on movement priorities. The arrival of 

MEDLOG capabilities must be phased to permit the accomplishment of all theater 

preparatory tasks and enable support to forces as they arrive in theater.
Chapter VI 

VI-12 JP 4-02 

4. Systems and Planning Tools 

a. In addition to coordinating joint force medical requirements, medical planning for 

joint operations involves other major considerations, including coordinating health 

support requirements with other CCMDs and other friendly forces. The tool approved for 

calculating medical requirements is the Joint Medical Planning Tool (JMPT). The JMPT 

will take Service-specific casualty rates, admission rates, and population at risk from 

TPFDD, contingency planning, theater patient movement policy, and merges those 

figures to generate joint medical requirements. The planners then perform a risk 

assessment and COA analysis to assess the most effective use of medical forces. The 

JMPT estimates medical requirements for beds, patients to be evacuated, Class VIII (both 

medical resupply and blood), losses to be replaced, and numbers of hospital admissions. 

In addition, it provides medical requirements for population at risk reports, planning 

factors used, and bed capabilities (as compared to bed requirements) report. The JMPT 

can input a population at risk report from the TPFDD and merge Service scenarios to 

create a joint scenario. Services are responsible for generating and maintaining casualty 

rates for contingency operations. JFSs should obtain Service-specific casualty rates 

through the CCMD. 

b. Theater Patient Movement Policy

(1) The theater patient movement policy is documented in the Logistics 

Supplement to the Joint Strategic Capabilities Plan, HSS Enclosure. The supported 

commander, in conjunction with supporting commanders and USTRANSCOM/AMC set 

the specific theater policies prior to OPLAN execution. Upon execution, the GCC 

adjusts the theater patient movement policy as needed. 

(2) The theater patient movement policy is executed by the GCC. The theater 

patient movement policy delineates the maximum number of days that patients may be 

held within the command for treatment prior to further movement or return to duty. 

Patients who cannot return to duty within the specified number of days are evacuated to 

the next higher level of care for further treatment. Shorter movement policies within the 

theater reduce theater bed requirements and increase the number of beds required 

elsewhere. Shorter movement policies also increase movement requirements. The 

theater patient movement policy is flexible and can change as the tactical situation 

dictates. 

(3) The theater evacuation policy is established by SecDef with the advice of 

the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and upon the recommendation of the GCC. The policy 

establishes, in number of days, the maximum period of non-effectiveness (hospitalization 

and convalescence) that patients may be held within the theater for treatment. This 

policy does not mean that a patient is held in the JOA for the entire period of noneffectiveness. A patient who is not expected to be ready to return to duty within the 

number of days established in the theater evacuation policy is treated, stabilized, and then 

evacuated out of theater. This is done providing that the treating physician determines 

that such evacuation will not aggravate the patient’s disabilities or medical condition. 

For example, a theater evacuation policy of seven days does not mean that a patient is 
 Joint Health Planning 

VI-13 

held in the theater for seven days and then evacuated. Instead, it means that a patient is 

evacuated as soon as possible after the determination is made that he cannot be return to 

duty within 7 days following admission to a Role 3 MTF. 

c. Planning Factors for Blood Products

(1) Blood planning factors, which are historically founded, are resident in the 

JMPT. Those planning systems can be utilized by the respective CCMD’s medical 

planners to generate daily blood product requirements for the theater. 

(2) Theater-wide blood planning factors are: 

(a) RBCs; 3.0 units for each initial admission of wounded in action (WIA) 

and NBI. 

(b) Fresh frozen plasma (FFP)/PF24 [plasma frozen within 24 hours]; 1.60 

units for each initial admission of WIA and NBI. 

(c) Platelet concentrates; 0.15 units for each initial admission of WIA and 

NBI. 

(d) Cryoprecipitate; 0.40 units for each initial admission of WIA and NBI. 

(3) The heads of the DOD components shall apply current casualty rates to 

forces at risk for each OPLAN. Those numbers shall be used with the appropriate 

planning factors listed above, to determine the blood product requirements and are 

incorporated in the respective OPLANs, as appropriate. 

(4) The blood product requirements calculations are performed utilizing an 

JMPT. Manual calculations are most appropriate for time-sensitive planning calculations 

used during execution periods or for a joint force requirement. 
Chapter VI 

VI-14 JP 4-02 

Intentionally Blank 
A-1 

APPENDIX A

HOSPITALIZATION 

1. This capability delivers health support via modular hospital configurations and/or 

a hospital ship required to medically sustain forces in a theater. This medical capability 

involves hospitals purposely positioned to provide in-theater support. Theater 

hospitalization capabilities deploy as modules or multiple individual capabilities that 

provide incrementally increased medical services from Role 1 to Role 3 in a 

progressively more robust theater. The theater hospitalization capability offers essential 

care to either return the patient to duty (within the theater patient movement policy) 

and/or stabilization to ensure the patient can tolerate evacuation to a definitive care 

facility outside the theater. 

2. In addition to the availability of substantial medical personnel skills, theater 

hospitalization capability has the facilities and materiel (equipment and consumable 

supplies) to render significant preventive and curative health care. These highly robust 

services encompass primary inpatient and outpatient care; emergent care; and enhanced 

medical, surgical, and ancillary capabilities. 

3. Theater hospitalization capabilities can vary from theater to theater according to 

the regional infrastructure, JOA, and operating tempo. However, a robust theater 

capability would contain the following additional services not normally resident at the 

lower levels in the continuum of care: advanced burn management; optometry and 

ophthalmology; pediatric, obstetric, and gynecological; dental and PVNTMED; 

veterinary services; internal medicine and cardiology; eye surgery, maxillofacial surgery, 

and neurosurgery; intensive/critical care beds and nursing; blood bank service; pathology; 

infectious disease; medical nutrition therapy; behavioral health; occupational health; 

MEDLOG; and other medical specialties. 
Appendix A 

A-2 JP 4-02 

Intentionally Blank 
B-1 

APPENDIX B

PATIENT MOVEMENT

Annex A Aeromedical Evacuation

 B Patient Movement Items

1. Introduction

a. The primary mission of the DOD patient movement system is to transport US

military casualties from within the JOA to the appropriate role of care provided in or out 

of the theater, as required. Timely patient movement plays an important role in health 

support and supports the JTF CONOPS and evacuation requirements. Patient movement

is a system that provides a continuum of care and coordinates the movement of patients 

from site of injury or onset of disease, through successive roles of care, to a MTF that can 

meet the needs of the patient. Each Service component has an organic patient movement

capability and is responsible for evacuation from point of injury to initial treatment at an 

MTF.

b. CASEVAC, a term used by all Services, refers to the unregulated movement of 

casualties aboard ships, vehicles, or aircraft. MEDEVAC traditionally refers to USA, 

USN, USMC, USAF, and USCG patient movement using predesignated tactical or 

logistic aircraft (both fixed-wing and rotary), boats, ships, and other watercraft 

temporarily equipped and staffed with medical attendants for en route care. The USA is 

the only Service that has dedicated air MEDEVAC assets. AE refers to the Air Force 

system providing time-sensitive en route care to regulated patients to and between MTFs. 

The Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) and contracted civilian aircraft carriers will not be 

used to airlift contaminated patients in the AE system. 

c. The operational environment during major operations and campaigns may present 

lethal threats requiring the evacuation of casualties to highly developed medical 

capabilities in the JOA and locations outside the JOA for advanced medical services and

rehabilitative care. The decreased medical footprint and the increased patient movement

requirements demand a more interdependent medical community, improved interagency 

and multinational partnerships, and developing joint solutions. 

2. Roles and Responsibilities 

a. The GCC, in conjunction with the supporting commanders, sets the theater patient 

movement policy for contingency planning. USTRANSCOM, as Distribution Process 

Owner (with the exception of intratheater patient movement) and single “point” manager 

for patient movement shall coordinate with the GCCs and the Services on the 

implementation and enforcement of patient movement policies. Upon execution, the 

GCC adjusts the theater patient movement policy as required. All changes shall be 

coordinated through the affected, supporting, and gaining theaters. 

b. GCCs are responsible for patient movement within their theater. The joint 

command validates theater requirements for peacetime and contingency patient 
Appendix B 

B-2 JP 4-02 

movement and identifies potential channel movement to USTRANSCOM transportation 

validation process. CCMD OPLANs will include appropriate information to support 

Service planning for patient evacuation.

c. USTRANSCOM is the DOD single point manager for intertheater and US patient 

movement services. As such, it is responsible for validating all patient movement

requests and coordinating with the appropriate transportation agencies to meet these 

requirements.

d. USTRANSCOM is responsible for patient movement in the US and worldwide. 

This includes support for natural disasters, terrorist activities, and the redistribution of

normal support through a direct support relationship rather than transferring forces. 

USTRANSCOM will most likely not transfer operational control (OPCON) of Service 

assets to United States Northern Command, as is typical with other CCDRs.

e. Each Service is responsible for organizing, training, and equipping their forces to 

ensure the capability to meet their patient movement requirements. Evacuation may 

require any combination of air, ground, or sea resources. To ensure that patients receive 

continuous, timely, and quality care, all personnel involved in the evacuation system 

must be fully trained, and essential evacuation assets (such as, personnel, platforms, 

equipment, and supplies) must be programmed, procured, and sustained. Establishing a 

seamless evacuation system requires close coordination with the Services on employment 

of evacuation doctrine, CONOPS, modernization and sustainment of equipment and 

platform capabilities, and interoperability of PMIs. 

f. PMRCs are a joint activity responsible for patient movement management, 

validation, and coordination in their respective theaters. PMRCs should normally exist at 

the joint level to ensure visibility of joint assets for patient movement. The PMRC

validates patient movement requests, maintains visibility of bed availability and medical 

capability within the theater, regulates patients to the appropriate MTFs for continued 

medical care, and determines the mode of transportation (air, sea, ground). The PMRC

matches available beds to available transport modes and passes this transport to bed plan 

to the appropriate transportation service component to execute the patient movement

mission. A theater validating flight surgeon is assigned, or delegated by the theater 

command surgeon, to provide physician medical direction and oversight of patient 

movement validation and transfer/en route care, as needed, during evacuation. Patients 

that require transportation, but do not require en route care (such as those requiring 

transportation for further medical care, recuperation, or to their home to convalesce or 

unit of record to be reintegrated with their unit) may also be moved using commercial 

tickets, when appropriate. This option allows the member to reach their destination faster 

and more direct. Using commercial tickets also decreases the organic patient movement

requirement and reduces the stress on Service lift.

(1) Global Patient Movement Requirements Center. The GPMRC is a joint 

activity reporting directly to the Commander, USTRANSCOM, through the command 

surgeon. The PMRC provides medical regulating services, including clinical validation, 

limited patient in-transit visibility and evacuation requirements planning for intertheater 
Patient Movement 

B-3 

patient movement and intratheater for the US. The PMRC coordinates with supporting 

resource providers to identify available assets and communicates transport to bed plans to 

Service components, or other agencies, to execute the mission.

(2) Theater Patient Movement Requirements Center. Both the United States 

Pacific Command and United States European Command have a permanent PMRC that 

manages the validation and regulation of intratheater patient movement within their 

respective theaters. The TPMRC is responsible for theater-wide patient movement (e.g., 

medical regulating and, in coordination with the AE control team, AE scheduling) and 

coordinates with theater MTFs to allocate the proper treatment assets required to support 

its role. The TPMRC communicates this transport to bed plan to the theater Service 

transportation component or other agencies responsible for executing the mission. The 

PMRC coordinates with the TPMRC for intertheater patient movement.

(3) Joint Patient Movement Requirements Center. The JPMRC is a 

deployable PMRC, under the OPCON of the JFC. The PMRC maintains coordinating 

relationships and is normally collocated with the JTF joint movement control center and 

communicates movement requirements to the transportation component responsible for 

executing the mission. The JPMRC coordinates closely with the TPMRC and GPMRC

for movement into theater controlled beds outside the JOA. 

3. Patient Movement Process

a. Various forms and formats (such as voice, radio, and message) are used by each 

Service to request initial evacuation. To request further evacuation, a patient movement 

request is normally submitted by the Service MTF patient administration or medical 

regulating office to the appropriate PMRC. The PMRC evaluates the request for 

necessity, acuity, eligibility, precedence, and mode (see Figure B-1). Patient movement 

requests are normally submitted through transportation command regulating and C2 

evacuation system for patient in-transit visibility. Patient movement requests may also be 

submitted by facsimile (FAX), voice telephone, radio and/or satellite communications, 

using a standard patient movement request worksheet, when transportation command and 

regulating and C2 evacuation system is inaccessible. Patient information items required 

to request patient movement will be determined by the PMRC and will depend on the 

operational environment. 

b. The PMRC is responsible for maintaining visibility of medical capability within 

its area of responsibility, clinically validating patients, and coordinating with Service 

components for patient evacuation. This process matches the patient to a facility with the 

necessary capabilities and bed availability. Once the patient movement request is 

validated, it is passed to the appropriate Service component for execution. 
Appendix B 

B-4 JP 4-02 

c. The PMRC coordinates patient movement, validates requirements, and maintains 

in-transit visibility. Lift operations centers may request other destinations due to 







Number of patient requirements

Originating location(s)

Destination location(s)





Pick-up and deliver times

Special considerations

US Navy US Army

Pass requirement*

*Pass requirement:









Determine transport best suited for 

mission

Schedule mission and routes

Task mission to units

Monitor mission execution

Service Transportation 

Control Center

US Air Force

Source/Requestor

(Medical Unit)











Validate requirement

Determine mode (ground, sea, air)

Assign to service component

Monitor performance (quality 

assurance)

Oversight of medical treatment 

facility beds and capabilities

Joint Movement Center –

Patient Movement 

Requirements Center

Patient Movement Requirements Center

Component Lift Interface

Figure B-1. Patient Movement Requirements Center Component Lift Interface
Patient Movement 

B-5 

availability of lift and routes to support evacuation. Delivery to alternate or other 

destinations can be executed, with the approval of the PMRC, upon evaluation to ensure 

patient care is not compromised. 

d. Patient administration director (clerk/officer) or the medical regulating officer is 

responsible for contacting the PMRC with patient movement requirements and 

submitting patient movement data. This individual manages patient numbers and bed 

classifications, determines availability of facility-based resources to assist with the 

movement of patients, and coordinates the use of those assets. The patient administration 

director/medical regulating officer is responsible for inputting patient data for patient 

movement requests and serves as the liaison between the referring physician and medical 

staff, the patient, and the patient requirements center. 

e. Unregulated casualties due to being in imminent danger that require immediate 

movement may be moved without prior PMRC validation. However, a validating flight 

surgeon or medical authority will be identified to clear the patients for evacuation.

4. Patient Movement Operations 

a. Movement of patients between points within a GCC’s area of responsibility is 

referred to as intratheater, while movement of patients between GCC’s area of 

responsibility to points outside the area of responsibility, is referred to as intertheater. 

(1) Intratheater operations are regional in nature and serve a single CCDR’s 

requirements. These operations are normally conducted using forces assigned, attached, 

or made available for tasking to the CCDR’s requirements. Patients enter the system at 

the point of injury or onset of disease and are moved to appropriate capabilities of care 

within the theater. Patients are most likely to enter the joint system for evacuation and 

medical regulation at the theater hospitalization capability. However, casualties can enter 

at the forward resuscitative care capability, depending on the type of operation and forces 

supported. Intratheater patient movement requires a coordinated effort between Service 

and HN MTFs, the responsible PMRC, and Service component organic and theater 

evacuation assets. The JFS is responsible for developing intratheater policies in 

coordination with Service component evacuation representatives. 

(2) Intertheater operations are generally global in nature and serve the 

transportation needs of the CCMD outside the JOA that support the conduct of operations 

within the JOA. USTRANSCOM directs policies and procedures for intertheater patient 

movement and identifies transport resources. Currently intertheater patient movement is 

primarily conducted utilizing airlift assets as long evacuation distances may preclude 

other modes of patient movement in supporting rapid evacuation out of the CCMD area 

of responsibility. However, circumstances permitting other modes and lift assets may be 

used for intertheater patient movement. Patients are most likely to enter the intertheater 

system from a theater hospitalization capability for movement to a definitive care 

capability, outside the theater, and eventually to the US. Intertheater patient movement

requires a coordinated effort between Service or HN MTFs, responsible PMRCs, 

GPMRC, and transportation agencies. 
Appendix B 

B-6 JP 4-02 

b. Patient Movement and Joint Capabilities of Care

(1) Point of Injury or Illness to Forward Resuscitative Care Capability 

Operations. Generally, the component commands are responsible for evacuation of the 

casualty from point of injury or illness to MTFs and casualty movement from the first 

responder care capability to forward resuscitative care capabilities via dedicated, 

designated, or opportune ground or air transportation. This is accomplished through a 

combination of litter carries, manual carries, ground transportation, and limited air (fixedor rotary-wing) transport. The USA generally employs dedicated MEDEVAC assets 

such as ground and air ambulances. The USN normally relies on lifts of opportunity. 

The USMC has some dedicated ground evacuation and relies on designated air and other 

lifts of opportunity. If USAF assets are required, at this level, lifts of opportunity may be 

used. 

(2) Forward Resuscitative Care Capability to Theater Hospitalization 

Capability Operations. Movement within and from forward resuscitative capabilities is 

normally a Service component responsibility; however, some operations may require 

evacuation by the joint common-user patient movement system. For example, the USMC 

has no organic theater hospitalization capabilities, and this capability of care is provided 

by the USN. The USN does not have dedicated or designated evacuation vehicles with 

the capacity to go forward and retrieve patients from units with first responder and 

forward resuscitation care capabilities and evacuate them to the theater hospitalization 

capability. Requests to the joint common-user patient movement system are submitted to 

the PMRC for coordination. 

(3) Theater Hospitalization Capability to Definitive Care Capability 

Operations. If a patient cannot be returned to duty within the limits of the theater patient 

movement policy, the originating MTF will normally request patient movement to 

another MTF for more definitive care and disposition. The originating MTF will submit 

a patient movement request, in accordance with prescribed procedures, using 

USTRANSCOM Regulating and C2 Evacuation System. Patient movement requests are 

submitted to the appropriate PMRC, if a JPMRC is established. The JPMRC validates 

and regulates movement requirements and coordinates the requirements with the TPMRC

for intratheater patient movement or with the GPMRC for intertheater patient movement. 

The JPMRC will identify intratheater patient movement requirements through the theater 

Air Force air and space operations center (AOC) or joint air operations center (JAOC), 

air mobility division’s (AMD’s) AE control team, and the TPMRC will coordinate with 

the theater air mobility operations control center to identify theater airlift assets available 

and with the GPMRC to identify intertheater patient movement requirements through the 

USTRANSCOM’s Joint Mobility Control Group. 

(4) First Responder/Forward Resuscitative Care Capability to Definitive 

Care Capability or US Operations. Some joint operations may present unique 

situations and considerations where a theater hospitalization capability may not exist. 

Stabilized casualties may enter the joint common-user patient movement system near the 

first level of formalized medical care and be evacuated directly to a definitive care 

capability in another theater. In such cases, the component command medical regulating 
Patient Movement 

B-7 

officer will submit a patient movement request to the JPMRC. Continental US

movement includes redistribution of patients to their home or unit of record. Members 

discharged from medical care and requiring movement to their home station instead of 

the theater will typically be managed through the personnel system in a duty passenger 

status.

5. Planning Considerations 

a. Wartime patient movement requirements are documented in CCMD OPLANs 

using casualty output from the approval medical planning tool (see Figure B-2). The 

CCMD validates Service-projected casualties and merges them into one integrated 

casualty stream. A key component in determining the casualty stream is the theater 

patient movement policy.

Troop population

(time-phased force 

and deployment 

data)

Combat intensity 

rates

Casualty rates

Evacuation 

asset capability

Medical 

treatment facility 

capability

Theater patient 

movement policy

Casualty 

streams

Course of 

action analysis

Patient 

requirements by 

category

Medical 

resources 

required

Evacuations by 

echelon, day, and 

category

Joint Medical 

Planning Tool

Components, 

then theater

Components

Determining Patient Flow Requirements

Figure B-2. Determining Patient Flow Requirements
Appendix B 

B-8 JP 4-02 

(1) The theater patient movement policy is a planning factor that delineates the 

maximum number of days that patients may be held within the theater for treatment prior 

to further movement or return to duty. Patients who cannot be returned to duty within the 

specified number of days are moved to the next higher role of care for further treatment. 

The length of the patient movement policy impacts the number of casualties requiring 

movement, as well as the infrastructure required to treat patients in both the theater and 

the evacuation system. A short evacuation policy reduces the forward medical footprint, 

in terms of MTFs and associated infrastructure, and normally places a higher demand for 

more frequent evacuation missions. Conversely, a longer patient movement policy 

increases the forward medical footprint and requires fewer evacuation missions.

(2) The theater patient movement policy is set by the GCCs and approved 

during the deliberate planning cycle prior to OPLAN execution. Upon execution, the 

GCC adjusts the theater patient movement policy as needed. In accordance with SecDef 

policy and CJCS guidance, the theater evacuation policy is normally seven days. This 

does not imply that the patients must be held in theater for the entire period. Patients not 

expected to return to duty within the number of days expressed in the policy will 

normally be evacuated: 

(a) As soon as their medical condition permits or when local stabilization 

capabilities have been reached.

(b) When medical authorities have determined that travel will not aggravate 

patient condition (at a minimum, patients will have their airway secured, bleeding 

stopped, shock treated, and fractures immobilized). 

(c) When suitable receiving MTFs and appropriate patient movement 

means have been coordinated.

b. Each OPLAN also identifies the infrastructure necessary to support medical care, 

MEDEVAC, and CASEVAC. Planners use infrastructure lay down data, population at 

risk, and casualty rates defined by Service personnel components and combat intensity 

identified within the theater OPLAN to generate joint casualty streams. The user must 

define the casualty rates and adjust them by day and/or casualty source as necessary. 

Casualty rates fall under the following categories: WIA, DNBI, NBI, combat and 

operational stress control, and CBRN rates. The planners use the JMPT to combine the 

user-defined population at risk and casualty rates to create a joint stream of patients 

requiring medical attention. The tool estimates daily number of evacuees, beds, blood 

products, medical staffing, and other logistic requirements by role. The JMAT estimates 

supportability and sustainability requirements in terms of evacuations, beds needed, staff, 

operating rooms, and gross medical materiel requirements for a theater.

c. The joint patient movement system can support US/domestic patient movement 

requirements identified under activation of the National Disaster Medical System 

(NDMS) and the National Response Framework under the auspices of defense support to 

civil authorities. USTRANSCOM is the validating authority for patient movement

requirements as the supporting command to United States Northern Command in its civil 
Patient Movement 

B-9 

support mission under the National Response Framework. The Services provide patient 

movement assets from existing active, reserve, and National Guard forces in execution of 

the National Response Framework in the US. These include activities and measures 

taken by DOD components to foster mutual assistance and support between DOD and 

any civil government agency in planning or preparing for, or in the application of 

resources for response to, the consequences of civil emergencies or attacks, including 

national security emergencies. National Guard patient movement assets may be 

mobilized as part of their state’s emergency management plan, or executed through an 

emergency management assistance compact with a requesting state, and 

deployed/employed in a state activated status prior to federalization. If federalized, in 

response to the National Response Framework, the National Guard will coordinate the 

lay down of patient movement assets with United States Northern Command in order to 

facilitate coordinated patient movement. 

d. Medical CONOPS. Each Service component is responsible for all functions of 

the Service-specific patient movement system, including operational guidance, 

intelligence, medical direction, logistics, and communications support. From initial 

injury to definitive care, the treatment and evacuation of patients from the battlefield 

transcends many levels of communication and coordination, routinely crossing Service 

boundaries. Thorough knowledge of the patient movement systems will expedite 

casualty care and save lives. Patient evacuation must be planned to support any 

operation. JFCs should integrate and coordinate the use of evacuation resources towards 

the common purpose of reducing mortality while maintaining the medical continuum of 

care. It is therefore critical that each Service component properly plan to operate its 

portion of the overall patient movement system. Planning ensures a coordinated effort in 

providing timely and effective patient movement that involves determining theater 

movement estimates, identifying frequency channel lift requirements, and regulating to 

appropriate MTFs. All available forms of transportation must be considered within the 

constraints of the tactical situation and the details of patient handling. 

(1) Evacuation plans should integrate and include ground ambulances rotaryand fixed-wing evacuation platforms, crew, and attendants. Plans should also include en 

route (ground and air) critical care teams for transporting patients with critical care needs, 

Service staging or holding facilities, Service liaisons, appropriate Service operational 

requirements, C2 elements, equipment, and handling to include 

reconstitution/reintegration of PMIs. 

(2) The USA is responsible for providing medical rotary-wing support for shipto-shore and shore-to-ship patient transport operations in support of patient movement

requirements for the hospital ships. USA MEDEVAC support to a theater is conducted 

as an area support mission that includes support to all Services operating within the 

assigned grid coordinates. Requests for USA evacuation support under the auspices of its 

area support role from the USN and/or USMC will be prioritized by urgency and not by 

Service of origin. Plans should reflect this arrangement when it supports the 

commander’s CONOPS. If USA MEDEVAC assets are not available or are not deployed 

as part of the operation, the USN and USMC have responsibility for ship-to-shore and 

shore-to-ship movement of patients. 
Appendix B 

B-10 JP 4-02 

(3) The USAF is responsible for providing AE. The AE system provides time 

sensitive mission critical en route care to patients to and between medical treatment 

facilities MTFs. Care is delivered by specially trained USAF medics to operate within a 

global AE system. The USAF’s AE capability comprises a system of systems including 

ground and airborne forces providing and supporting medical care within MTFs, patient 

staging platforms, and in the air. AE personnel—crews, critical care air transport team 

and other specialty teams—execute patient movement predominately on mobility air 

force aircraft, as well as aboard sister Service, contracted, and international partner 

airframes. AE forces operate as far forward as air operations occur in support of full 

range of military operations, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response. The system 

is designed to be flexible to enable it to operate across the spectrum of potential scenarios 

and interface with joint, multinational, and SOF. 

(4) The Commander, USTRANSCOM, with approval of SecDef, is the 

activation authority for all three stages of CRAF. The activation and utilization of the 

USAF AE segment of the CRAF should be considered when CRAF Stage II (major 

theater war) is implemented. AE CRAF should be planned for if appropriate. Planners 

should note, however, that per USTRANSCOM policy for movement of CBRNcontaminated or contagious casualties/personnel, CRAF will not be used to support 

movement of contagious biological casualties. 

e. Integration of Multinational Evacuation Support. Other Services and 

multinational forces use various ground transportation and rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft 

for patients. They also use their own medically trained crew members or medical 

attendants. US medical personnel may perform appropriate duties on non-US evacuation 

platforms if it is in the interest of the USG and approved by the GCC. Conversely, 

multinational forces may also integrate with US medical forces. Planners will identify 

the potential need and the operations center will work inter-fly agreements.

f. Service Component Transportation Assets. A detailed listing of Service 

component evacuation resources and their capabilities can be found in Appendix C, 

“Service Component Transportation Assets.” 

g. Protection Under the Geneva Conventions. Depending upon the designation of 

patient evacuation assets, protection under the Geneva Conventions differs. 

(1) Dedicated patient movement assets are configured for patient evacuation, 

externally marked with a Red Cross and specifically dedicated to support the patient 

movement mission (a USA ambulance for example). Dedicated assets need not be 

organic to the unit. Dedicated evacuation assets are authorized protection under the 

Geneva Conventions. 

(2) Designated patient movement assets are USN/USMC and USAF evacuation 

assets whose primary mission is nonmedical, are not externally marked, and are allocated 

on the air tasking order and configured for patient movement. While patients are 

protected under the Geneva Conventions, these conveyances are not. Movement of 
Patient Movement 

B-11 

patients with designated assets must have medical personnel and medical equipment 

aboard commensurate with patient condition to provide appropriate care for the patient. 

(3) Opportune Lift. That portion of lift capability available for use after 

planned requirements have been met. These nonmedical assets convey cargo/passengers 

throughout the JOA and could be used to move patients. While patients are protected 

under the Geneva Conventions, these conveyances are not. Movement of patients with 

opportune lift should have medical personnel and medical equipment aboard 

commensurate with patient condition to provide appropriate care for the patient.

(4) Commercial. Patients that require transportation but do not require medical 

en route care (such as those requiring transportation for further medical care, 

recuperation, transport to home of convalesce or unit of record to be reintegrated with the 

unit) may also be moved using commercial airlift when appropriate. This option allows 

the member to potentially reach their destination faster and more directly. Using 

commercial airlift also decreases the organic patient movement requirement and reduces 

the stress on DOD organic lift.

For more information on how the Geneva Conventions affect health support, see 

Appendix K, “Impacts of the Law of War and medical Ethics.” 

h. Patient Movement Items. The medical equipment and supplies required to 

support the patient during evacuation are referred to as PMIs. The handling and return of 

equipment to the originating theater through the evacuation system requires a reliable 

supporting logistic infrastructure to ensure that PMIs are available and serviceable. A 

plan for PMI recycling, replacement, and the return of evacuation equipment and PMIs to 

the originating theater should be addressed in the respective theater OPLAN. Large 

MEDLOG units will support smaller units (MEDEVAC and special operations) without 

an organic MEDLOG capability. 

For more information on PMIs, see Annex B, “Patient Movement Items,” to Appendix B, 

“Patient Movement.” 

i. Categories of Evacuation Precedence. The process of patient categorization 

determines how quickly a patient will be evacuated within the patient movement system 

and has a significant impact on lift assets. Patient movement priorities will be derived 

from situational factors and/or individual patient clinical conditions. Refer to Joint 

Operation Planning and Execution System (JOPES) Annex Q directives for specific joint 

operation priorities. Senior medical personnel or if no medical personnel are present, the 

senior military personnel recommends the precedence for patient movement to the PMRC

based on each patient’s condition/status. Patient condition/status may be upgraded or 

downgraded at each succeeding role of care. Timeframes to provide evacuation assets 

on-site ready to conduct patient movement begin once a patient movement request is 

passed to the responsible PMRC. The tables in Appendix C, “Service Component 

Transportation Assets,” identify these timeframe objectives within which the patient 

movement system should respond. 
Appendix B 

B-12 JP 4-02 

(1) Priority I—URGENT. Patients requiring emergency, short notice 

evacuation (within a maximum of one hour for MEDEVAC or immediately for AE) to 

save life, limb, or eyesight and to prevent serious complications of the injury, serious 

illness, or permanent disability. NOTE: It may be necessary, in some cases, to skip a 

medical capability and evacuate a patient directly to a greater medical capability in order 

to increase the survivability of the patient. To do so, the patient must be stable enough to 

endure the additional flight time to the greater medical capability. This may result in an 

overall MEDEVAC time which exceeds the 60 minute standard for Urgent/Urgent 

Surgical patients but is justifiable to ensure patients are evacuated to the right level of 

care based on their injuries.

(2) Priority IA—URGENT-SURGICAL. Patients requiring forward 

resuscitative care for life and limb saving measures, and to attain stabilization for further 

evacuation within a maximum one hour. (Not used for AE.) 

(3) Priority II—PRIORITY. Patients requiring prompt evacuation (within a 

maximum of four hours for MEDEVAC or within 24 hours for AE), to prevent the 

medical condition from deteriorating to an URGENT precedence, to prevent unnecessary 

pain or disability, or who require treatment not available locally.

(4) Priority III—ROUTINE. Patients who do not require immediate medical 

attention and whose condition are not expected to deteriorate significantly. They should 

be evacuated within 24 hours for MEDEVAC or 72 hours for AE. 

(5) Priority IV—CONVENIENCE. Patients for whom evacuation by medical 

vehicle is a matter of medical convenience rather than necessity. (Not used for AE.) 

6. Multinational Considerations 

a. Patient Movement in Multinational Operations. GCCs are responsible for 

intratheater patient movement. This may include the movement of multinational forces, 

neutrals, and even EPWs/detainees. The GCC’s policy should be recorded in his patient 

movement policy. 

(1) The theater patient movement policy, known in some nations as a holding 

policy, is the key to balancing the treatment capability available at each role of care

against the required patient movement assets. The provision of resources will be 

coordinated by the multinational force planning staff and will be comprised of assets 

from a number of sources, including HN support. Theater patient movement requires 

careful planning and is dependent on whether the US partners and other partner nations 

require the establishment of an acquisition and cross-servicing agreement. Other 

standing agreements may already cover support arrangements between the US and the 

participating nations such as members of the United Nations or the North Atlantic Treaty 

Organization. Establishing the patient movement policy is a command decision of each 

nation. Medical and logistic staffs will advise. The CCMD surgeon and/or JFS will 

provide recommendations and monitor the established patient policy.
Patient Movement 

B-13 

(2) Contributing nations bear ultimate responsibility for ensuring the provision 

of health care to their forces allocated to multinational operations. This may be 

discharged in a number of ways, including agreements with other nations or the 

appropriate multinational planning staffs. 

(3) Medical planners should always consider the quality, suitability, and 

availability of multinational and HN support to meet patient movement requirements. 

Partner nations/HNs may possess unique evacuation assets that could augment national 

capabilities. The use of these evacuation assets, regardless of mode, should be 

coordinated through appropriate multinational and HN agreements.

b. Host-Nation Support. See Chapter VI, “Joint Health Planning,” paragraph 

2.a.(12) “Host-Nation Support.”

7. Patient Stability

Patients validated for movement must be stabilized (secure airway, controlled 

hemorrhage, treated shock, and immobilized fractures) as much as the local situation and 

resources allow. Interventions (such as, intravenous or foley catheter) should be initiated 

prior to flight, if possible. Patients not clinically stable due to severity of wounds or 

medical condition, limited medical resources, or time constraints may require advanced 

clinical capability while awaiting transport at an airhead or during flight. At times, the 

patient’s clinical instability may be the very reason that they are being moved by air from 

a lesser capable facility to another of greater capability. Each Service evacuation system 

must consider en route care requirements to provide this capability. The USAF AE en 

route care system provides qualified flight nurses and AE technicians. Critical care air 

transport team or other medical attendants can be added based on patient acuity, stability, 

and conditions. 

a. Stable. One who, in the best clinical judgment of the responsible physician, can 

withstand a bed to bed evacuation of up to 12 hours for intratheater movement and 48 

hours intertheater that is unlikely to require intervention beyond the scope of standard en 

route care capability during the evacuation.

b. Stabilized. Patient condition may require emergency, but not surgical 

intervention, within the evacuation phase. Patient’s condition is characterized by secure 

airway, control or absence of hemorrhage, shock adequately treated, and major fractures 

immobilized.

c. Unstable. A patient whose physiological status is in fluctuation. Emergent, 

treatment and/or surgical intervention are anticipated during the evacuation. Unstable 

patients rapidly changing status and requirements are beyond the standard en route care 

capability and require medical/surgical augmentation. Patient transport validation is 

essential to ensure the evacuation environment is conducive to an optimal outcome. 
Appendix B 

B-14 JP 4-02 

8. Contaminated Patients

a. Decontamination and processing procedures must be in place to prevent the 

spread of contamination and ensure the appropriate protection for patients, medical and 

support staff, and evacuation platforms. Patients exposed to CBRN agents must be 

decontaminated prior to entering the intertheater patient movement system unless the 

applicable GCC and Commander, USTRANSCOM, and SecDef approve. Once patients 

are externally contaminated, further evacuation decisions are based on actual or suspected 

clinical diagnosis and patient condition(s). Commanders, evacuation elements, and 

medical personnel should apply specific contamination control measures.

b. Patients with known or suspected or highly contagious diseases will not be 

transported within the patient movement system. These include infections with any agent 

that may hose a potential threat to national security, require special public health action, 

and/or have the potential to cause public panic and social disruption. Patients known or 

suspected to be infected with a highly contagious disease should be treated “in place” or 

with minimal transportation to medical authorities. In extreme circumstances there may 

be a requirement to move index cases (approximately two) for evaluation or critical 

medical care. If patient movement is required, prior approval must be given by the 

involved GCCs, Commander, USTRANSCOM, and SecDef in consultation with medical 

authorities. The preferred solution is to treat contagious or potentially contagious 

patients in place to reduce transmission risk.

c. Radiologically contaminated casualties must be decontaminated before admission 

to an MTF. Although casualties may have received substantial radiation exposure, this 

exposure alone does not result in the individual being contaminated. Normally, 

contaminated casualties do not pose a short-term hazard to the medical staff; rather the 

contamination is a hazard to the casualty’s health. Radioactive decontamination is 

simple: removing all outer clothing and a brief washing or brushing of exposed skin will 

reduce 99 percent of contamination; vigorous bathing or showering is unnecessary. 

Radiological contamination should not interfere with immediate lifesaving treatment or 

the best possible medical care.

9. Communications System Support

a. A responsive communications system is essential to the conduct of patient 

movement. The JFC should establish a system that integrates the available capabilities of 

the patient movement system, synchronizes its application, and prepares to employ air, 

land, and sea forces to achieve patient movement objectives. This system should also 

support the operational requirements of medical information management as it relates to 

patient accounting and reporting, medical regulating, and patient in-transit visibility. 

b. Service component commanders are responsible for C2 of their respective 

transportation agencies involved in joint patient movement. However, the JFS is 

responsible for establishing a joint patient movement CONOPS and identifying 

communications requirements necessary to integrate the functional aspects of the joint 

patient movement, medical regulating, and evacuation protocols out of the theater. This 
Patient Movement 

B-15 

may include defining the requirements needed for intratheater and intertheater support. 

Effective patient movement during joint operations will require a closely coordinated and 

mutually supportive effort of all participating forces carefully balancing mission 

requirements while contributing to the total theater patient movement effort.

c. The JFC may provide detailed theater communications plans or assign theater 

communication management responsibilities to a single-Service component for specific 

functions during joint patient movement operations. Early identification of a theater’s 

communications system requirements for evacuation connectivity is essential. At a 

minimum, medical communications in support of patient movement must provide 

reliable, real time and, when possible, redundant communications within a theater and 

from theater to the US. They must also provide a link between the most forward point 

where the patient enters the patient movement system, long haul communication to 

PMRC, and each role in the medical system to the destination MTF or medical element.

d. The degree of success of patient movement operations is a function of the 

availability of reliable communications over dedicated and interoperable systems. 

Planners must identify frequencies that are common between Service component support 

forces assigned a patient movement mission. If no commonality exists, the JFC develops 

a theater plan that ensures adequate communications support to all Service components. 

All frequency requirements for organic equipment must be coordinated with the GCC’s 

plans staff.

e. Short-range radio communications should be provided by each Service 

component to ensure communication between MTFs, evacuation vehicles, boats, aircraft, 

and evacuation operational C2. 

f. When available, theater-based, long-range communications will be provided by 

high-frequency radios, satellite communications, defense voice services, such as the 

Defense Switched Network (DSN), Defense Information Systems Network, and the 

Defense Messaging System.

g. Satellite communications offering access to commercial telephones or point-topoint systems should be used when available. 

h. Secure communications are provided through voice and data security 

communications equipment. 

i. CJCSM 3150.01, Joint Reporting Structure General Instructions, outlines 

responsibilities and message text format requirements for operational patient movement 

requests and evacuation procedures. User Services should have the communication 

equipment and personnel to identify their requirements to the PMRC. These messages 

include the following: 

(1) Medical regulating report.

(2) Patient movement request. 
Appendix B 

B-16 JP 4-02 

j. Transportation command regulating and command and control evacuation system 

(TRAC2ES) provides a responsive communications system essential to the conduct of 

patient movement. TRAC2ES is a web-based system, which maximizes the internet 

while maintaining and protecting patient privacy and troop strength information. 

TRAC2ES provides global support throughout the full operational medical continuum: 

fixed and deployable MTFs and a GPMRC and PMRCs. TRAC2ES links the global, 

theater, and joint PMRCs through global communications. 
B-A-1 

ANNEX A TO APPENDIX B

AEROMEDICAL EVACUATION 

1. Introduction 

a. The USAF AE system provides a critical patient movement capability that cuts 

across traditional Service lines. Since World War II, the preponderance of AE patients 

generated during wars and contingency operations have come from USA and USMC 

ground combat units. Therefore, it is important that the AE system integrates well with 

the medical components of all Services. Moreover, during the past decade, it has become 

increasingly important that the USAF AE system continue to develop its capability to 

integrate with components of our Nation’s allies. 

b. The USAF lead command for AE is the AMC. The AMC is charged with the 

responsibility to operate the common-user USAF fixed-wing AE system, to procure and 

execute commercial augmentation, and administer and execute the AE CRAF. The 

USAF AE provides fixed-wing movement of patients requiring in-flight care and 

supervision by AE crew member to locations offering appropriate roles of medical care. 

AE can significantly improve casualty recovery rates by providing rapid transportation of 

the sick and wounded to MTFs for treatment. The AE system can operate as far forward 

as conventional fixed-wing aircraft are able to conduct air/land operations. 

c. The AE system provides: 

(1) Integrated control of casualty movement by air transport. 

(2) Specialty trained aircrew clinicians and operational support personnel. 

(3) Equipment for in-flight supportive medical care and ground support 

operations. 

(4) Critical care air transport team to monitor and manage specific patients 

requiring intensive care. 

(5) En route staging capability/patient preparation at or near secure airstrips for 

the processing and care of casualties entering, en route, or leaving the AE system. 

(6) AE Categories of Evacuation Precedence. Due to the nature of AE 

operations and the use of mobility airframe to provide this expeditionary patient 

movement asset, the AE precedence categories are different than those utilized for other 

patient movement options. AE patient movement categories: 

(a) Urgent: Patients who must be moved immediately to save life, limb, or 

eyesight, or to prevent complication of a serious illness. 

(b) Priority: Patients requiring prompt medical care who must be moved 

within 24 hours. 
Annex A to Appendix B 

B-A-2 JP 4-02 

(c) Routine: Patients who should be picked up within 72 hours and moved 

on routine/scheduled flights. 

2. Aeromedical Evacuation Command and Control 

a. C2 of AE is consistent with overall USAF air mobility C2. In contingency 

operations, AE-specific items will be outlined in annex C (Operations) of the OPORD 

and general patient movement guidance should be outlined in annex Q (Medical 

Services). Aeromedical assets should be integrated within the inherent mobility structure 

established to support airlift operations from the AMD to the wing and down to each 

element. 

b. Steady-State/Peacetime AE Structure. The AE system has been standardized 

to ensure peacetime processes mirror wartime processes. This allows for the system to 

exercise its wartime infrastructure in peacetime and enhance wartime training. C2 of AE 

assets, to include tasking authority for AE and mobility forces, resides with the normal 

airlift and mobility C2 structure. Field and AE squadron operations will be conducted 

through operational wing C2 channels. Intratheater air mobility operations are defined by 

geographic boundaries. Air mobility forces assigned or attached to that GCC 

normally conduct these operations. Intratheater common-user air mobility assets are 

normally scheduled and controlled by the theater Air Force AOC or JAOC if established. 

The ability to identify and coordinate movement requirements (visible in Joint 

Deployment and Distribution Enterprise-common systems) is critical to providing theater 

reachback support from the AMC 618th Air and Space Operations Center (Tanker/Airlift 

Control Center) (618th AOC/TACC). When intratheater air mobility requirements 

exceed the capability of assigned or attached forces, other mobility forces can support 

intratheater airlift using a support relationship. The supported commander may also 

request augmentation from SecDef through the request for forces process. 618th 

AOC/TACC serves as the AOC for the AMC air mobility mission and is responsible for 

tasking and controlling operational missions for all activities supporting AMC’s global 

air mission. 

c. JTF Air Mobility Operations. During joint operations, it may be necessary to 

establish a JTF within a GCC’s area of responsibility. This allows the GCC to maintain a 

theater-wide focus and at the same time respond to a regional requirement within the 

theater. When this occurs, a JTF force will be designated and forces made available for 

this operation. The commander Air Force forces (COMAFFOR) will normally be 

delegated OPCON of Air Force assets, and if designated the joint force air component 

commander (JFACC), will typically exercise tactical control over air mobility forces 

made available to the JFACC. If the JTF requires additional air mobility forces beyond 

those already made available for tasking, additional augmentation may be requested.

(1) The COMAFFOR may appoint a director of mobility forces 

(DIRMOBFOR) to function as coordinating authority for air mobility with all commands 

and agencies, both internal and external to the JTF, including the JAOC, the 618th 

TACC, and the JDDOC and/or the joint movement center.
Aeromedical Evacuation 

B-A-3 

(a) The DIRMOBFOR is normally a senior officer who is familiar with the 

operational area and possesses an extensive background in air mobility operations. The 

DIRMOBFOR serves as the designated agent for all air mobility issues in the operational 

area, and for other duties as directed. At the discretion of the JFC, the DIRMOBFOR 

may be sourced from the theater’s organizations or USTRANSCOM. The DIRMOBFOR 

should be colocated with the JAOC AMD to maximize effectiveness. 

(b) The DIRMOBFOR will ensure the effective integration of intertheater 

and intratheater air mobility operations, and facilitate intratheater air mobility operations 

on behalf of the COMAFFOR. The DIRMOBFOR provides guidance to the AMD on air 

mobility matters, but such guidance must be responsive to the timing and tempo of 

operations managed by the JAOC director.

(2) DIRMOBFOR also has distinct responsibilities in relation to JFC staffs. 

Air mobility requirements do not originate in the AOC. They originate at the component 

level and are validated by either the theater joint movement center/JDDOC (when 

established) or by the GCC’s J-3 in coordination with the J-4. This may vary slightly in 

different theaters. Consequently, an essential role for DIRMOBFOR is to serve as the 

principal interface between the AOC, the theater’s J-4, and the joint movement 

center/JDDOC to obtain appropriate prioritization of air mobility tasks while balancing 

requirements and air mobility capability. 

For more discussion of the DIRMOBFOR, see JP 3-17, Air Mobility Operations. 

d. Routine Operations. To assist in the employment of mobility forces, each of the 

GCCs has a USTRANSCOM transportation liaison officer. GCCs with assigned air 

mobility forces have combatant command (command authority) over those forces and 

normally delegate OPCON over those forces through Service component commanders. 

The COMAFFOR executes the C2 of USAF air operations in the theater or operational 

area through the AOC. One of the AOC divisions, AMD, usually oversees intratheater 

air mobility operations. 

e. Contingency AE Structure (see Figure B-A-1). Deployed expeditionary air 

forces are organized to ensure unity of command. Deployed AE forces will be organized 

within the constructs of the air expeditionary task force and will be tailored based on the 

size and scope of the operation. C2 of theater AE forces in contingency operations will 

be defined in the warning/execution/OPORD. 

(1) When a JTF is formed, command relationships for air mobility forces will 

be established by the JTF establishing authority. The command relationship established 

for these forces will normally be exercised through the JFACC and/or COMAFFOR. The 

JAOC director is charged with the effectiveness of joint air operations and focuses on 

planning, coordinating, allocating, tasking, executing, and assessing air operations in the 

operational area based on JFACC guidance and DIRMOBFOR coordination. 
Annex A to Appendix B 

B-A-4 JP 4-02 

(2) The AMD is made up of an air mobility control team, airlift control team, 

air refueling control team, and AE control team. The AMD will integrate and direct the 

execution of theater assigned or attached Service organic mobility forces operating in the 

operational area in support of objectives. OPCON of USTRANSCOM assigned air 

Legend

Geographic Combatant Commander JFC USTRANSCOM

AE Elements 

Under EAES:

AECM

AELT

AEOT

AESC

CCATT

MASF

Multiple 

Forward 

Deployed 

Secure 

Airfields

AEW

AEG

CCATT

AEOT

AECM AESC

CCATT

Air 

Mobility 

Base

AECM EAES

MASF

CCATT

AECM

CCATT

AELT

AE

AE

AE

618th TACC

AMC/CC

AFTRANS/CC

AOC

Theater 

COMAFFOR

Numbered 

AF/CC

Theater Assigned 

Air Mobility Forces

Attached

Air Mobility Forces

JAOC 

Director

JAOC Division

Theater Assigned 

and Attached 

Service Organic 

Military Forces 

Attached to JTF

DIRMOBFOR

Air Mobiliity 

Division

JFACC

Notional Aeromedical Evacuation Structure

618th TACC

AE

AECM

AEG

AELT

AEOT

AESC

AEW

AF

AFTRANS

AMC

AOC

CC

CCATT

COCOM

COMAFFOR

DIRMOBFOR

EAES

JAOC

JFACC

JFC

JTF

MASF

OPCON

USTRANSCOM

Tanker Airlift Control Center

aeromedical evacuation

aeromedical evacuation crew members

air expeditionary group

aeromedical evacuation liaison team 

aeromedical evacuation operations team

aeromedical evacuation support cell

air and space expeditionary wing

Air Force

Air Force Transportation Component

Air Mobility Command

air and space operations center 

(USAF)command center

critical care air transport team

combatant commander (command authority)

commander, Air Force forces

director of mobility forces

expeditionary aeromedical evacuation 

squadron

joint air operations center

joint force air component commander

joint force commander

joint task force

mobile aeromedical staging facility

operational control

United States Transportation Command

command

COCOM

OPCON

as designated

coordination

Figure B-A-1. Notional Aeromedical Evacuation Structure 
Aeromedical Evacuation 

B-A-5 

mobility forces supporting, but not attached to, the JTF or subordinate command will 

remain with AMC. This expansion of C2 systems requires the AMD to interface with the 

618th TACC, other AMDs if required, and the JAOC combat operations and combat 

plans divisions to ensure air mobility missions are included in the air tasking order. 

Figure B-A-1 illustrates the arrangement of the JAOC and associated command 

relationships with respect to air mobility operations. 

For more information on air mobility operations, see JP 3-17, Air Mobility Operations. 

3. Aeromedical Evacuation Operations 

a. The AMC manages and operates the intertheater and AE subsystems, CRAF, and 

provides AE elements and planning assistance to the theater, in intermediate supporting 

theaters, or in the US. The USAF in Europe and United States Pacific Air Forces are 

responsible for their theater-assigned AE units and associated airlift units. When 

contingencies exceed theater AE capabilities, AMC will provide mission-specific 

augmentation forces to support increased theater requirements and will expand or 

establish the intertheater capability to support movement between theaters, or to and 

within the US, as required. 

b. AE forces are modular by design and can be tailored and deployed to meet 

situational requirements. The AE process is dependent upon reliable, pertinent, and 

timely communication and coordination between the originating requestor, the PMRC, 

the appropriate airlift agency, AE elements, and the destination MTF (see Figure B-A-2). 

c. The airlift agency (AOC/JAOC/AMD) will execute the AE mission by optimizing 

the use of available multi-mission aircraft, mixing cargo and AE on mobility missions, 

and integrating AE requirements into cargo channel routes. Airlift for urgent and priority 

patients will be tasked from alert AE crews, diversion of in-system select aircraft, or 

contracting with a civilian air ambulance. Each patient’s clinical requirements may also 

dictate specific airframe use. To enhance responsiveness, AE crews and critical care 

transport teams should be strategically positioned based on airlift and key patient 

originating locations. During contingencies AE CRAF may also be called into service. 

On execution, AE plans may integrate allied and/or other Services’ airlift capabilities, 

when appropriate. AE and airlift elements are tasked through the air and space 

expeditionary wing using an air tasking order. The air and space expeditionary wing will 

provide airlift, aircrews, and augmentation assets (equipment and/or specialized medical 

personnel) to comply with the tasking. AE assets are placed at strategic locations 

throughout the JOA for rapid response. 

See Appendix C, “Service Component Transportation Assets,” for more information on 

air transportation assets. 
Annex A to Appendix B 

B-A-6 JP 4-02 

d. AE interface with special mission operations and rescue. Some special mission 

operations and expeditionary forward deployed operations, such as USMC expeditionary 

Legend

 

Example of the Aeromedical Evacuation Process

AE aeromedical evacuation

AECT AE control team

AELT AE liaison team

AEW air and space expeditionary wing

AMD air mobility division

AOC air and space operations center

ATO air tasking order

IAW in accordance with

JFACC joint force air component commander

MASF mobile aeromedical staging facility

MRO medical regulating officer

MTF medical treatment facility

PAD patient administration director

PMRC patient movement requirements center

5. AEW







Receive ATO

Task aircrew(s)

Launch aircraft to on-load 

airfield

Info to Originating 

and Destination MTF

Information

1. ORIGINATING MTF 3. PMRC





Determines 

requirement for 

patient evacuation

MRO/PAD requests 

patient evacuation







Validates clinically and 

administratively

Determines destination options

Determines appropriate 

component

2. AELT









Identify resources

Collaborate with PMRC

Decide appropriate 

airframe

Send ATO





Communicates patient 

movement requirements 

with user

Confirms patient 

preparation IAW 

applicable instructions

Relay Lift 

Decision

4. JFACC





Produce Lift and Bed Plan

Coordinate with MTFs

AOC

AECT

7. DESTINATION AIRFIELD

6. MASF











Stage patient for evacuation

Provide supportive patient 

care

Load patient on aircraft

Brief AE crew on patient 

load

Notify AELT, AMD/AECT of 

departure

Figure B-A-2. Example of the Aeromedical Evacuation Process 
Aeromedical Evacuation 

B-A-7 

forces (to include MARSOF), and combat search and rescue at times may not possess 

organic AE capability augmentation support and must identify requirements to obtain 

conventional AE support at forward airbases. Supporting SOF requires the HSS planner 

to understand both MEDEVAC and CASEVAC platforms (sea, air, and land) and be 

prepared for unconventional transport methods. 

(1) The evacuation of casualties within the joint special mission arena can be a 

particularly complex issue since these forces often operate in small, widely dispersed 

teams, and in locations not easily accessible. Flexibility and sensitivity to the particular 

needs of the special mission community, both clinically and administratively, is 

important to consider in determining how to best support their AE requirements. The 

special mission forces are responsible for care and evacuation of casualties from the 

forward location to the secure airfield where AE forces will assume responsibility for the 

casualties, freeing special mission medical assets to return to forward locations. The AE 

planner must understand the need for limited resources and yet versatile, flexible 

capability to support special missions. 

(2) The United States Air Force Special Operations Critical Care Evacuation 

Team is a specially trained and equipped form of critical care air transport team; special 

operations critical care evacuation teams are organic to USAF SOF to meet their unique 

mission requirements. These teams provide care to casualties transiting the SOF casualty 

evacuation system and provide continued trauma and post-operative casualty 

management aboard organic SOF aircraft and other opportune evacuation platforms. 

e. Detainee missions fall under the responsibility of security forces and are 

politically sensitive. Normally a CONOPS is written to outline roles and responsibilities. 

AE policies and processes exist for moving patients/EPWs on AE missions. Transport 

missions that move detainees between holding locations are not AE missions and are not 

supported by AE personnel. 

f. The USAF AE aircrew members may perform appropriate duties in non-USAF 

aircraft if it is in the interest of the USG and approved by both the GCC and the 

controlling aircraft authority. Conversely, multinational forces may also integrate with 

AE forces. The AE planner will identify these requirements. The operations center, in 

peacetime or wartime, will work inter-fly agreements through the line of the USAF. In 

peacetime, Service component commands may require inter-fly agreements to be 

processed before AE crews from one command can fly with others. 

4. Operations Phasing and Force Sequencing 

AE forces provide a rapid, flexible, incremental, mobile response. Unit type codes 

are employed to provide command, control, communications, patient care, and system 

support. The AE system needs to have the capability to move casualties after minimal 

stabilization from forward areas. The concept is to employ an immediate, versatile, and 

flexible AE presence to respond to the needs of the deployed forces. After the initial 

buildup, the planners can augment the deployed teams with more manpower and 
Annex A to Appendix B 

B-A-8 JP 4-02 

equipment (augmentation packages), as required, to support more intense or ongoing 

operations. 

a. Aeromedical Evacuation Crews. AE crews are specially trained to perform inflight medical care, are experts on aircraft configuration, and provide the operational 

interface between the patient, medical equipment, and aircraft systems. 

b. Critical Care Air Transport Team. Critical care air transport teams provide 

specialized care, in conjunction with AE crews, to evacuate critical patients requiring 

advanced care during transportation. Critical care air transport teams represent a 

specialty or critical care team that can be added to the basic AE crew in order to offer a 

higher level of care to stabilized patients during AE staging and flight. AE missions that 

require the addition of a critical care air transport team will be validated by the PMRC 

and tasked by the AE control teams. 

c. Mobile Aeromedical Staging Facility (MASF). The MASF provides rapid 

response patient staging in support of small-scale contingencies, humanitarian/disaster 

response, and initial stages of major theater war. The MASF is designed to provide 

forward support with the smallest footprint and is usually the AE interface with SOF. 

MASF facilities will be located at or near airheads capable of supporting conventional 

mobility airlift. A critical care air transport team can be assigned to forward-based 

MASF to enhance rapid evacuation of high acuity categories of casualties. The MASF 

may be augmented with additional personnel and equipment to increase patient staging 

capability as needed. 

d. Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility (CASF). The CASF may be used at 

major intertheater hubs to support the full spectrum of contingency operations. The 

CASF interfaces with the AE mission and falls under the C2 of the medical group. 

e. Aeromedical Evacuation Liaison Team (AELT). The AELT provides support 

between the forward user and the AE system in the form of operational and clinical 

interface. This interface may occur at locations that do not otherwise have USAF 

personnel on them such as far forward/bare bases and shipboard. The flight nurse liaison 

assists the local medical unit in preparing AE patients for flight. The administrative 

officer is responsible for working with the airlift center and aerial port elements to ensure 

the aircraft is properly configured and equipment pallets, patients, and AE support 

personnel are properly manifested on the AE mission. The communications personnel 

may be integrated into the airlift operations element supporting flight line operations or 

the wing operations center. Establishing a communication network with airlift operations 

is essential for rapid evacuation. 

f. Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (EAES). The EAES may be 

assigned to an expeditionary wing, air expeditionary operations group, or expeditionary 

operations support squadron. The EAES provides command functions for all AE 

personnel assigned to the air and space expeditionary wing. The EAES ensures all 

elements are prepared to conduct AE operations as tasked by the AOC and will provide 

AE assets to support the wing operations center. The EAES can arrange support 
Aeromedical Evacuation 

B-A-9 

requirements for follow-on AE forces, as required. In larger contingencies, there may be 

more than one expeditionary AE squadron assigned to an air and space expeditionary 

wing or air expeditionary group. 

g. Aeromedical Evacuation Operations Team (AEOT). The AEOT may be 

integrated into the air mobility control center (a permanent en route C2 function). 

AEOTs are located at strategic airlift hubs or en route locations to support aircrews, 

equipment, and launch and recover operations. The AEOT provides direct supervision 

and crew management for assigned, attached, and transiting AE crews and critical care 

air transport teams in conjunction with the air mobility operations control center, AE 

control team and base operations, as applicable. The AEOT coordinates requirements to 

include launch and recovery, life support, billeting, food service, transportation, and 

administration for AE crew members/critical care air transport teams. The AEOT 

supports AE missions through assigned aircraft configuration and equipment to include 

CRAF support, patient loading interface, and resupply of in-flight kits, medications, and 

patient liquid oxygen. They provide oversight and operational support on flight line 

activities, patient loading and unloading, and aircraft arrival and departure times. 

h. Aeromedical Evacuation Support Cell (AESC). The AESC provides 

communications and air and space ground equipment maintenance support to all unit type 

codes assigned to the theater AE system. The AESC should be staged with equipment at 

key locations, normally with the expeditionary AE crew member support, within the area 

of responsibility to support AE requirements. Communications networks will be 

integrated with airlift operations. 

5. Planning for Aeromedical Evacuation 

AE planners are an integral part of the airlift planning team and should build 

appropriate AE support into the en route structure. The AE planner should interface with 

medical planners to ensure appropriate medical capability along airlift routes. 

Comprehensive planning will ensure a coordinated effort in providing timely and 

effective AE. 

a. Aeromedical Evacuation Planning Factors. AE planners must take many 

factors into account to select the best or most appropriate means of executing each AE 

mission. Airlift routes must be identified in order to establish potential AE plans. Based 

on planning directives the CCMD OPLANs/CONPLANs will include beddown of AE 

capable airlift, strategic aerial port of debarkations and/or aerial ports of embarkation, 

planned mission routing, availability of intra/intertheater retrograde airlift for AE 

missions, and planned patient movement requirements (evacuees) by C-Day (the 

unnamed day on which movement for forces, support, and transportation from origin 

begins). 

b. Airframe Considerations. It is critical to identify airframe availability and 

capability based on patient load and the clinical requirements of the patients expected to 

be moved. 
Annex A to Appendix B 

B-A-10 JP 4-02 

(1) Organic Mobility Lift and In-System Select. Organic aircraft are airframe 

assets that have been obtained primarily through mission tasking or through en route 

diversion and mission reprioritization for AE use. Organic airlift is the major airframe 

component of expeditionary AE. Requirements can vary from obtaining seat space to 

move ambulatory patients, or procuring a pallet position to move litter patients, to tasking 

an entire aircraft to perform a single mission or routine channel mission. The airlift 

operations centers have visibility of airlift operating in the JOA and may divert a mission, 

in-system select, to support the patient request. 

(2) Aeromedical Evacuation Civil Reserve Air Fleet. The AE CRAF 

program provides airlift platforms, upon contract activation, from commercial airlines 

specifically to perform/support AE missions. The Aeromedical CRAF is the intertheater 

AE solution in contingency planning. Aeromedical CRAF aircraft will not be used to 

move contaminated patients. 

c. Airfield Capability. The mobility en route structure and proximity of MTFs to 

the airfield determines AE laydown. Proposed onload, en route, and offload airfields 

must be able to support the operation. Mission planners must consider flight line 

security, secured launch, and PHOENIX Raven requirements for designated airfield 

locations. 

d. Potential Hostile or Terrorist Locations. The requirements for security forces 

to support aircraft during AE missions must be considered in the planning process. The 

PHOENIX Raven program provides these specially trained security forces personnel to 

protect AMC aircraft and will be included on all AE missions to locations designated 

“Ravens required.” AE crews will carry weapons, when appropriate and authorized, to 

protect themselves and their patients. 

e. Base Operating Support. AE operations depend on integration with the line of 

the USAF and the joint host Service to provide base operating support. This support is 

needed for AE units attached to specific locations as well as en route transient support 

during patient evacuation through the system and must be coordinated with appropriate 

agencies prior to deployment. These requirements include, but are not limited to, 

transportation (including patient transportation), messing and other consumable materials, 

water, fuels, cryogenics, liquid oxygen and other gases (obtained from fuels or on a 

contract basis), billeting, latrines, showers, laundry, and security. Additional 

requirements include alternate generator support, fire protection, vehicle maintenance 

support, vehicle decontamination, maintenance and logistics, life support, contracting, 

supportive information/communications systems maintenance, waste management, and 

personnel decontamination. 

f. Medical Equipment Technician Support. Equipment repair is essential in the 

theater for routine maintenance and minor repair. Deployed MTFs (and potentially 

civilian and multinational facilities) can support AE equipment repair and maintenance in 

steady state but not surge periods. Therefore, the AE planner should insert AE medical 

equipment technician capability into airlift hubs and align with local medical treatment 

facilities to ensure AE equipment is processed to meet mission requirements. 
Aeromedical Evacuation 

B-A-11 

g. Communications. Planners must ensure AE communication capability is 

integrated with the mobility airlift and communication squadron network. 

Communication must be maintained with subordinate deployed AE elements that may 

not be on or near a USAF wing. 

h. Ground Transportation. Most AE units deploy with integral transportation 

capability specifically designated for the movement of assigned equipment packages with 

limited capability to transport AE personnel. AE planners should ensure proper aircraft 

support equipment is available at the airfield, such as, support pallets and loading 

systems. The MTF is responsible for transport to the aircraft. Medical planners should 

determine the availability of other Service ambulances, other vehicles and, if necessary, 

establish contracts or obtain HN support. 
Annex A to Appendix B 

B-A-12 JP 4-02 

Intentionally Blank 
B-B-1 

ANNEX B TO APPENDIX B

PATIENT MOVEMENT ITEMS 

1. Patient Movement Item System 

a. The objective of the PMI system is to sustain the patient movement/evacuation 

system without diminishing the capability of forward medical units. This is done by prepositioning or providing in-kind exchange of equipment for treatment continuity or by 

using Service specific GPMJAB approved PMI equipment. Determination of the specific 

items that make up the PMI asset pool are identified by the Services as medical 

equipment items required for patient movement and facilitated through USTRANSCOM 

Surgeons Office. Equipment listings are maintained by the Service medical logistic 

agencies. Prompt recycling of PMI is essential for minimal inventory investment. The 

USAF PMI system comprises the management of PMI equipment and materiel. The PMI 

system will provide a seamless in-transit equipment management process from initial 

entry to the equipment’s final destination. The PMI system will deploy with the AE 

system, be managed and supplied through the AE system, and collocated with AE 

intratheater and/or intertheater interfaces in order to provide initial AE operational 

capability, sustainment of AE operations, and minimize equipment turnaround time. 

b. USTRANSCOM is the PMI system manager. HQ AMC/Headquarters, 

AMC/Surgeon (SGXM) is the program execution office. All Services will fund their 

original initial quantities of approved PMI in-kind assets. PMI in-kind assets are defined 

as the exact medical equipment by type and model approved for AE patient movement. 

All Services will maintain initial quantities of approved PMI in-kind equipment in their 

medical assemblages, kits/sets/outfits, table of allowance, or allowance standards. This 

will ensure equipment standardization and the PMI programs ability to seamlessly 

support patient movement. This capability is critical to enabling the PMI system to 

properly recycle/replace medical equipment in medical assemblages and to ensure their 

designed operational capability is not diminished due to equipment shortfalls. The USAF 

manages and receives Defense Health Program funds to support DOD operational plan 

patient movement requirements and is responsible for life cycle management of those 

equipment assets that reside in the PMI centers. 

c. PMI center levels are based on projected casualty flow and prompt recycling of 

PMI assets. Timely recycling is essential to maintain and manage our total inventory 

investment. Key to successful patient treatment and movement is ensuring PMI medical 

equipment assets are available for patient treatment, tracked during in-transit, and 

recycled to medical treatment facilities. All Services are responsible for tracking and 

returning PMI assets to the closest PMI Center. 

d. PMI equipment is tested and certified for use on applicable service rotary and 

fixed-wing aircraft by the joint airworthiness certification-testing agency. An Air Force 

(AF) Form 4033 (PMI/AE Certification Label), is required to designate airworthiness 

certification for all PMI equipment. This is a joint label and must be affixed to each 

piece of PMI certified equipment. 
Annex B to Appendix B 

B-B-2 JP 4-02 

e. Service en route care teams (i.e., USAF AE crews and critical care air transport 

teams) will be trained to operate PMI equipment items. 

f. The USAF is the PMI program execution agency responsible for resourcing, 

maintaining, and recycling PMI to support contingency operations for patient movement. 

Headquarters AMC/SGXM is the program management, execution, and action office for 

the Air Force. Pre-positioned PMI equipment is placed on the patient by the sending 

MTF. PMI centers will recycle or replace particular PMI equipment removed from the 

Service medical facilities to support a patient movement event. The PMI system provides 

the capability to track medical equipment from initial entry to the patient’s final 

destination. This is accomplished by responsible personnel scanning the PMI out with 

hand held scanners at the originating MPF and scanning it back in at the receiving MTF 

to update the Patient Movement Item Tracking System (PMITS). If the equipment is not 

scanned as it leaves one MTF and scanned again when it arrives at the next location, intransit visibility is lost. The PMI system will deploy with the Air Force AE system, be 

managed and supplied through the Air Force AE system, and co-locate with AE 

intratheater and/or intertheater interfaces in order to provide initial AE operational 

capability, sustainment of AE operations, and minimize equipment turnaround time. 

Levels will be established based on the worst three days of patient movement, either 

based on planning factors for initial setup or six-month historical data for continuous 

operations. 

g. PMIs are tracked using PMITS. The use of PMITS is mandatory for asset 

visibility and tracking of PMIs to provide accurate information to allow proactive support 

to deployed organizations. HQ AMC/SGXM is responsible for PMITS operational 

control, advice, and counsel. PMITS utilizes bar code technology to scan PMIs and share 

PMI data with other authorized users of the system. Bar codes will be issued only at PMI 

centers and designated units or by HQ AMC/SGXM using established bar code 

guidelines in accordance with PMI Bar Coding Methodology and Codes. All users will 

ensure bar code labels are attached to all PMI equipment assets prior to use and or patient 

movement. The bar code label should have the HQ AMC/SGXM phone number, 1-877-

286-1931, for easy return if found. If the label is worn or does not have the phone 

number, contact the nearest PMI center or AMC/SGXM to obtain a new label 

immediately. Non-PMI equipment will not be tracked in this system unless coordinated 

with USTRANSCOM Command Surgeon and HQ AMC/SGXM.

h. PMIs must be returned promptly, particularly from US MTFs to the closest PMI 

center to prevent equipment shortages in theater. Once patient care is transferred from 

the patient movement system to an MTF or other such provider, it is critical that the PMI 

equipment be immediately returned for inspection and redistribution. Services must 

ensure all medical personnel are trained to not only recognize PMIs but to also 

understand and execute recycling PMIs back to PMI centers. MTFs will decontaminate 

and clean PMI equipment before returning it to a PMI center, PMI cell, or transportation 

point. To reduce medical equipment shortfalls experienced within the theater, the JFC 

must ensure detailed procedures are established to resupply, refurbish, and properly 

recycle PMIs. MTFs recycling PMIs to PMI centers will obtain the transportation access 

code to pay for shipping from their Service MEDLOG office. 
Patient Movement Items 

B-B-3 

2. Patient Movement Item Centers 

a. Establishment of theater PMI centers is a Service and CCMD responsibility. Air 

Force medical units will be tasked, trained, organized, and equipped to perform AE 

missions, including PMI operations. The USAF has established six PMI centers to 

support worldwide AE operations based on theater requirements. Service PMI centers 

should be located at ports of embarkation and/or debarkation within the US and outside 

the continental US that best support patient movement/evacuation/treatment plans as 

identified in CCMD OPLANs and Service/agency support plans (e.g., National Disaster 

Medical System activation). PMI centers are responsible for the overall management, intransit visibility, tracking, and recycling of PMIs. These centers will receive, refurbish 

(i.e., technical inspection, calibration, repair), provide one day of expendable supplies, 

redistribute, and quickly return PMIs collected from MTFs to their origination. The US 

Army Medical Materiel Agency may be required to provide the same level of 

maintenance support in the US if required. PMI centers can be augmented with 

personnel and equipment from the other Services in the event of surge and sustained 

requirements. Service liaison personnel can also be assigned. Intratheater movement of 

PMI equipment is the responsibility of the GCC. 

b. Contingency PMI cells can also be established and augmented with personnel 

from all services in the event of surge and sustained requirements. These cells will be 

equipped to provide the same maintenance and tracking support capability as permanent 

PMI centers. If required, Services can coordinate with USTRANSCOM and HQ 

AMC/SGXM to request a deployable biomedical maintenance package (equipment only) 

to outfit a contingency PMI cell with required maintenance test equipment assets.

3. Patient Movement Item Teams

a. PMI teams are composed of medical material and biomedical equipment repair 

specialists. Combined, this logistics team provides manpower for operational 

management of a PMI center. Medical material teams will manage PMI equipment and 

supplies, maintain asset accountability, acquisition replacement material, and facilitate 

equipment recycling/tracking. Equipment repair teams support regional maintenance and 

repair capability for equipment in PMI centers and/or cells. These teams will provide 

scheduled preventative maintenance and calibration, repair and maintenance services, and 

update the PMI information system. 

b. The host medical equipment maintenance activity may request repair-and-return 

maintenance support from the GCC TLAMM or PMI center by telephone, e-mail, or 

letter. If the GCC TLAMM or PMI center approves shipment of the equipment, send the 

equipment through auditable and insurable transportation channels. Include a thorough 

description of the problem and identification of the organization originating the shipment. 

c. The medical equipment maintenance activity will ensure AF Form 4033 (PMI/AE 

Certification Label), and AF Form 4368 (Scheduled Maintenance and Certification), or 

Department of Defense (DD) Form 2163 (Medical Equipment Verification Certification), 
Annex B to Appendix B 

B-B-4 JP 4-02 

are affixed to each PMI medical equipment item to designate its airworthiness 

certification and maintenance record. 

d. During any maintenance of PMI equipment, the servicing biomedical electronics 

technician (BMET) will coordinate with the closest PMI center to verify equipment 

ownership, ensure the equipment location is current in the PMITS, and provide the latest 

calibration date for update in the tracking system. 

e. The closest medical equipment maintenance activity performs all corrective 

maintenance required for equipment being used on a patient mission. The medical 

equipment maintenance activity documents the work performed on a manual work order 

and forwards it to the owning activity. 

f. The local BMET who works on equipment belonging to another organization 

records it as an unscheduled work order with no index number/equipment control number 

to account for time and parts. 

4. USAF Patient Movement Item Centers

a. 60th Medical Support Squadron PMI Center Travis Air Force Base (AFB), CA 

Shipping Address: 

60th MDG Travis PMI Center 

102 Bodin Circle Bldg 795 

Travis AFB, CA 94535-1800 

DSN Phone: 799-2379 

Commercial Phone: (707) 423-2379 

FAX: (707) 423-3638 

b. 374th Medical Support Squadron PMI Center Yokota Air Base (AB), Japan 

Shipping Address: 

374th MDG Yokota PMI Center 

Building 4145 Unit 5225 

Yokota AB, JAPAN 96328-5225 

DSN Phone: 315-225-5234 

Commercial Phone: 011-81-311-755-5234 

FAX: 011-81-425-30-3352 

c. 18th Medical Support Squadron PMI Center Kadena AB, Japan 

Shipping Address: 

18th Kadena PMI Center 

Unit 5268 FM5270 Davis Ave, Bldg 625 

Kadena AB, AP 96368-5268 

DSN Phone: 315-630-4467 

Commercial Phone: 011-81-611-730-4467 

FAX: 011-481-611-730-4681 
Patient Movement Items 

B-B-5 

d. 375th Medical Group PMI Center Scott AFB, IL 

Shipping Address: 

375th MDSS/SGSL/PMI Center 

120 South Adams Street, Bldg 4020 

Scott AFB, IL 62225-5300 

DSN Phone: 576-1173 

Commercial Phone: (618) 256-1173 

FAX: (618) 256-1175 

e. 86th Medical Group PMI Center Ramstein AB, Germany 

Shipping Address: 

435th MDG Ramstein PMI Center 

Lincoln Blvd Bldg 2497 

Ramstein-Flugplatz, Germany 66877 

DSN Phone: 314-479-2437 

Commercial Phone: 011-49-6371-46-2437 

FAX: 011-49-6371-46-2569 

f. 779th Medical Group PMI Center Andrews AFB, MD 

Shipping Address: 

779th MDG Andrews PMI Center 

3244 Tennessee Avenue 

Andrews AFB, MD 20762-5184 

DSN Phone: 857-7957 

Commercial Phone: (240) 857-7957 

FAX: (240) 857-7951 
Annex B to Appendix B 

B-B-6 JP 4-02 

Intentionally Blank 
C-1 

APPENDIX C

SERVICE COMPONENT TRANSPORTATION ASSETS

1. General

a. This appendix provides a listing of the evacuation capabilities of Service 

component transportation assets and also includes rail transport resources. Although 

railway transportation assets are not Service owned or within the DOD inventory, it is 

important to know their capacities in the event they become available as evacuation 

platforms through wartime HN support agreements. The majority of the Service 

transportation assets listed in Figures C-1–6 are not dedicated patient movement 

platforms, and when they are employed for patient movement, their crew must be 

augmented with medical personnel to provide in-transit care. A listing of the 

recommended augmented medical personnel is provided for each transportation asset.

b. The role of the theater AE system and associated assets is to support joint force 

operations with an AE system that can be deployed worldwide to provide support across 

the range of military operations. The AE unit type codes were developed based on the 

building block principle, which allows planners to select specific unit type codes required 

to support a pending joint force operation or those used for developing OPLANs. Each 

unit type code was developed to support C2, patient staging, support, operational or 

patient care requirements, and has specific mission tasks and responsibilities. At a 

minimum, in order for a theater AE system to exist, unit type codes must be deployed to 

establish a C2 structure and a communication link between the user and the AE system; 

provide patient staging at an airfield; and provide in-flight care. Force packages are 

groupings of unit type codes that are deployed to meet a unique or enhanced capability 

requirement. Aeromedical unit type codes are specifically designed to provide the 

maximum amount of flexibility to commanders and planners to meet the requirements of 

AE. The unit type codes are divided into three categories, C2, patient care, and AE 

support. The following sections provide a brief description of these unit type codes.

SECTION A. SUPPORTING UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AEROMEDICAL 

EVACUATION ELEMENTS AND TRANSPORTATION ASSETS 

2. Aeromedical Evacuation Command and Control Assets

a. Aeromedical Evacuation Command Squadron. Provides C2 of assigned AE 

forces. The AE command squadron can deploy in advance of other AE unit type codes to 

establish the support required for AE forces and establishment of a theater AE system. 

The AE command squadron will advise wing and operations group commanders, as well 

as other appropriate personnel/agencies, on AE CONOPS, doctrine, capabilities, and 

requirements. This unit type code provides procedural guidance, technical guidance, and 

management oversight for assigned, attached, and transiting AE elements. The AE 

command squadron may be augmented by other AE unit type codes (UTCs), such as the 

AE support cell, based on operational requirements. 
Appendix C 

C-2 JP 4-02 

SERVICE COMPONENT FIXED-WING AIRCRAFT TRANSPORTATION ASSETS

NOMENCLATURE SERVICE CONFIGURATION LITTER AMBULATORY 

(SEATED) ATTENDANTS

C-5 GALAXY USAF MAXIMUM NOT 

EQUIPPED 70 2 FLIGHT NURSES 3 AEROMED EVAC TECHS

KC-135 

STRATOTANKER USAF MAXIMUM 8 24 2 FLIGHT NURSES 3 AEROMED EVAC TECHS

KC-10 EXTENDER USAF MAXIMUM 8 24 2 FLIGHT NURSES 

3 AEROMED EVAC TECHS

C-21 LEARJET USAF MAXIMUM 1 2 1 FLIGHT NURSE 

1 AEROMED EVAC TECH

C-130 HERCULES USAF MAXIMUM 74 92 2 FLIGHT NURSES AND 3 

USMC COMBINED 50 24 AEROMED EVAC TECHS 

C-17 

GLOBEMASTER USAF MAXIMUM 36 54 2 FLIGHT NURSES 3 AEROMED EVAC TECHS

C-27J SPARTAN USAF, USA MAXIMUM 24 34 4 MEDICAL ATTENDANTS

CIVIL RESERVE 

AIR FLEET (CRAF) 

(STAGE II 

ACTIVATION)

CRAF MAXIMUM 87 Carrier Specific 4 FLIGHT NURSES 

6 AEROMED EVAC TECHS

C-23 SHERPA USA MAXIMUM 18 30 2 MEDICAL ATTENDANTS

MV-22 OSPREY USAF 

USMC,USN MAXIMUM 12 24 2 MEDICAL ATTENDANTS

C-12 HURON USAF, USA

USN/USMC

MAXIMUM 2 8

1 MEDIC COMBINED NOT 

EQUIPPED 8 

C-2 (COD) USN MAXIMUM NOT 

EQUIPPED 28 2 CORPSMEN 

P-3 (SUB 

HUNTER) USN MAXIMUM 10 19 2 CORPSMEN 

LEGEND

AEROMED aeromedical

COD carrier onboard delivery

EVAC evacuation

TECHS technicians 

USA US Army

USAF US Air Force

USMC US Marine Corps

USN US Navy

Figure C-1. Service Component Fixed-Wing Aircraft Transportation Assets

SERVICE COMPONENT ROTARY-WING AIRCRAFT TRANSPORTATION ASSETS

NOMENCLATURE SERVICE CONFIGURATION LITTER AMBULATORY 

(SEATED) ATTENDANTS

UH-1N IROQUOIS USMC MAXIMUM 6 12 1 CORPSMAN COMBINED 3 5

CH-46 SEA KNIGHT USMC/USN MAXIMUM 15 22 2 CORPSMEN 

COMBINED 6 15 1 CORPSMAN

CH-53D SEA STALLION 

CH53E SUPER SEA 

STALLION 

USMC/USN MAXIMUM 24

37 (55 WITH 

CENTER LINE 

SEATING) 2 CORPSMEN 

COMBINED 8 19

UH-60A/L/M USA MAXIMUM 2 11 2 CREWMEMBERS COMBINED 1 4

UH-60A BLACKHAWK AIR 

AMBULANCE CAROUSEL 

EQUIPPED

USA 

MAXIMUM 6 7

1 MEDIC

COMBINED 3 1 

HH-60L/M BLACKHAWK 

AIR AMBULANCE USA MAXIMUM 6 6

COMBINED 3 3

UH-1H/V IROQUOIS AIR 

AMBULANCE USA MAXIMUM 6 9

COMBINED 3 4

CH-47 CHINOOK USA MAXIMUM 24 31

COMBINED 8 19

UH-72 LAKOTA USA MAXIMUM 2 4

COMBINED 1 2

UH-1Y USMC 6 12

LEGEND

USA US Army USMC US Marine Corps

USN US Navy

Figure C-2. Service Component Rotary-Wing Aircraft Transportation Assets
Service Component Transportation Assets 

C-3 

SERVICE COMPONENT MEDICAL GROUND VEHICLES TRANSPORTATION ASSETS

NOMENCLATURE SERVICE CONFIGURATION LITTER AMBULATORY 

(SEATED) ATTENDANTS

M996 TRUCK, 4X4 

AMBULANCE ARMORED 

HMMWV-MINI 

USA 

MAXIMUM 3 6

2 MEDICS COMBINED 1 3 

M997 TRUCK, 4X4 

AMBULANCE ARMORED 

HMMWV-MAXI

USA 

MAXIMUM 4 8

2 MEDICS COMBINED 2 4 

M1035 TRUCK 4X4 

AMBULANCE SOFT-TOP 

HMMWV-MINI

USMC 

MAXIMUM 2 3 DRIVER ONLY

COMBINED 1 3 1 CORPSMAN 

M113 CARRIER, PERSONNEL, 

FULL-TRACKED ARMORED, 

WITH LITTER CONVERSION 

KIT 

USA 

MAXIMUM 4 10 1 DRIVER, 

1 MEDIC, 

1 TRACK 

COMMANDER 

COMBINED 2 4 

M1133 STRYKER-MEDICAL 

EVACUATION VEHICLE (MEV) USA 

MAXIMUM 4 6 1 DRIVER, 

1 MEDIC, 

1 TRACK 

COMMANDER

COMBINED 2 3 

MRAP MAXX PRO-PLUSE 

(AMB) USA 

MAXIMUM 2 4 1 DRIVER, 

1 MEDIC, 

1 TRACK COMMANDER COMBINED 2 1 

MRAP RG33L HAGA 

NOT 

SERVICE

-

UNIQUE

MAXIMUM 3 6 1 DRIVER, 

1 MEDIC, 

1 TRACK 

COMMANDER

COMBINED 1 3 

MRAP COUGAR (AMB)

CAT2A2 USMC 

MAXIMUM 2 3 1 DRIVER, 

1 MEDIC, 

1 TRACK 

COMMANDER

COMBINED 1 3 

BUS, AMBULANCE

NOT 

SERVICE

-

UNIQUE 

MAXIMUN 20 44

2 MEDICS COMBINED

CAPACITY 

VARIES

BY SIZE OF 

BUS

 

Legend

AMB ambulance

HAGA heavily armored ground ambulance

HMMWV high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle

MRAP mine-resistant, ambush-protected

USA US Army

USMC US Marine Corps

Figure C-3. Service Component Medical Ground Vehicles Transportation Assets

SERVICE COMPONENT NONMEDICAL GROUND VEHICLES TRANSPORTATION ASSETS

NOMENCLATURE SERVICE CONFIGURATION LITTER AMBULATORY 

(SEATED) ATTENDANTS

LAV 25, LIGHT ARMORED VEHICLE USMC MAXIMUM 0 4 CREW ONLY

LAVL, LIGHT ARMORED VEHICLE, 

LOGISTICS VARIANT USMC MAXIMUM 4 7 1 CORPSMAN

AAV, LAPT-7 AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT

VEHICLE, LANDING VEHICLE 

PERSONNEL

USMC MAXIMUM 6 21 1 CORPSMAN

M998 4X4 TRUCK CARGO/TROOP 

CARRIER

USA, 

USMC MAXIMUM 5 6 1 MEDIC OR CORPSMAN

M1078 LIGHT MEDIUM TACTICAL 

VEHICLE (LMTV) 4X4 2.5 TONE CARGO 

TRUCK

USA MAXIMUM 7 12 1 MEDIC

M1083 MEDIUM TACTICAL VEHICLE 

(MTV) 6X6 5 TONE CARGO TRUCK USA MAXIMUM 8 14 1 MEDIC

M1083 MTV, LONG WHEELBASE USA MAXIMUM 12 22 1 MEDIC

M813, M923 5-TON 6X6 CARGO TRUCK USA MAXIMUM 12 32

1 MEDIC OR 

CORPSMAN

M977 HEAVY EXPANDED, MOBILITY 

TACTICAL TRUCK (HEMTT) 8X8, 

CARGO

USA, 

USMC MAXIMUM 9 

LEGEND

USA US Army

USMC US Marine Corps

Figure C-4. Service Component Nonmedical Ground Vehicles Transportation Assets 
Appendix C 

C-4 JP 4-02 

SERVICE COMPONENT RAIL TRANSPORTATION ASSETS

NOMENCLATURE SERVICE CONFIGURATION LITTER AMBULATORY 

(SEATED) ATTENDANTS

SLEEPING CAR

NATO/HOST-NATION 

SUPPORT (HNS) 

(CAPACITY VARIES BY 

NATION)

MAXIMUM 32 32 1 NURSE

AMBULANCE RAILWAY 

CAR

NATO/HNS (CAPACITY 

VARIES BY NATION) MAXIMUM 24 30 1 NURSE

AMBULANCE RAILWAY 

CAR, PERSONNEL

NATO/HNS (CAPACITY 

VARIES BY NATION) MAXIMUM 21 21 2 WARD 

ATTENDANTS RAIL BUS GERMANY COMBINED 40 16

LEGEND

NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Figure C-5. Service Component Rail Transportation Assets 

SERVICE COMPONENT WATER CRAFT TRANSPORTATION ASSETS

NOMENCLATURE SERVICE CONFIGURATION LITTER AMBULATORY 

(SEATED) ATTENDANTS

SLEEPING CAR

NATO/HOST-NATION 

SUPPORT (HNS) (CAPACITY 

VARIES BY NATION)

MAXIMUM 32 32 1 NURSE

AMBULANCE RAILWAY 

CAR

NATO/HNS (CAPACITY 

VARIES BY NATION) MAXIMUM 24 30 1 NURSE

AMBULANCE RAILWAY 

CAR, PERSONNEL

NATO/HNS (CAPACITY 

VARIES BY NATION) MAXIMUM 21 21 2 WARD 

ATTENDANTS RAIL BUS GERMANY COMBINED 40 16

LEGEND

NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Figure C-6. Service Component Water Craft Transportation Assets 

b. Aeromedical Evacuation Control Team. Located within the AMD of the AOC, 

this team is responsible for operational planning, scheduling, and execution of scheduled 

and unscheduled AE missions through the appropriate AE elements. Once the AE

control team receives the transport-to-bed plan from the PMRC, the AE control team 

coordinates airlift to meet AE requirements, tasks the appropriate AE elements, and 

notifies the patient movement requirements center when mission taskings are scheduled 

in order to maintain full patient in-transit visibility. The AE control team also monitors 

execution of AE missions and coordinates/communicates with theater planning cells and 

AE command elements as necessary. The AE control team advises the DIRMOBFOR

and liaises with joint force/component surgeons on AE issues. The AE control team must 

be able to establish communication links with other AE components and PMRC. 

3. Aeromedical Evacuation Patient Care Assets 

a. Aeromedical Evacuation Crew. The AE crew is an AE building block unit type 

code that manages in-flight care and safety for patients aboard fixed-wing AE missions. 

An AE crew is used to move stabilized patients, who have been regulated by the PMRC, 

between roles of care using intertheater or intratheater fixed-wing airlift.

b. Critical Care Air Transport Team. Critical care air transport teams provide a 

highly specialized capability to AE missions to evacuate critical patients requiring 

advanced care during transportation. Recognized as clinical experts, these teams are 

medically responsible for their patients and function under the in-flight direction of the 

medical crew director and aircraft commander. The critical care air transport team

physician is clinically responsible for care given to critical care air transport teamassigned patients and may be asked to assist or advise on the care of the other patients. 
Service Component Transportation Assets 

C-5 

Aeromedical missions that require critical care air transport team augmentation will be 

identified and validated by PMRC/AE control team. The theater validating surgeon, in 

conjunction with the critical care air transport team director, designated by the AE 

squadron command center, normally coordinates individual critical care air transport 

team mission requirements.

c. Mobile Aeromedical Staging Facility. The MASF provides rapid response 

patient staging in support of small-scale contingencies, humanitarian/disaster response, 

and initial stages of major theater war. Normally located at or near airheads capable of 

supporting mobility airlift, the MASF is designed to provide forward support with the 

smallest footprint. It is made up of administrative personnel, communications, and 

patient care teams. For contingency planning, patient throughput is 40 patients per 24 

hours. Critical care air transport teams can be assigned to forward-based mobile AE 

staging facilities to enhance rapid evacuation of stabilized patients. 

d. Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility. The CASF may be used at major 

intertheater hubs to support military operations. The CASF provides patient staging 

support to the MTF and differs from the mobile staging facility in that the CASF is fixed, 

not mobile. 

4. Aeromedical Evacuation Support

a. Aeromedical Evacuation Operations Team. The AEOT is a building block 

team with force augmentation packages that conducts the activities associated with 

management and direction of assigned, attached, and transiting AE crews, critical care air 

transport teams, and associated equipment. AEOT equipment includes office, 

communications, and logistical support items to accomplish the mission. The AEOT unit 

type code supports AE operations at inter- or intratheater hubs including those at forward 

operating airfields. The team works directly with airlift C2 agencies to coordinate AE 

missions and ensure on-time launch and recovery. The AEOT works closely with other 

theater AE system elements, including MASFs and CASFs, along with Service 

component medical treatment elements, to accomplish its mission.

b. Aeromedical Evacuation Liaison Team. The AELT provides support between 

the forward user and the AE system in the form of operational and clinical interface. 

This interface may occur at locations that do not otherwise have USAF personnel on 

them such as far forward/bare bases and shipboard. An AELT may be geographically 

separated from the other USAF assets.

c. Aeromedical Evacuation Communication Team. The AE communications 

team provides communication augmentation to any AE UTC (primarily the AELT, 

AEOT, and any patient staging UTCs) when mission needed communications are 

unavailable. 

5. Air Force Airlift Resources

a. Preplanned AE can be scheduled in either as preconfigured or retrograde 

(opportune) airlift at the discretion of the GCC and the theater’s joint movement center. 
Appendix C 

C-6 JP 4-02 

When using retrograde (opportune), the aircraft flies into an airfield, off-loads the cargo 

and/or passengers, and then is quickly reconfigured for AE on the return, or retrograde 

leg. Retrograde aircraft utilize litter configuration equipment organic to the aircraft. To 

use preplanned airlift, the GCC must apportion airlift for the AE mission. These aircraft 

can then be configured for AE prior to mission origination. Preconfigured preplanned 

aircraft enable AE mission planners to use the same aircraft to make multiple stops, 

facilitate scheduling of the mission(s) to meet AE requirements (such as, increased 

flexibility with aerial port of debarkation and/or its selection), and permit an increased 

litter AE configuration and decreased ground times. However, using preconfigured 

preplanned AE does reduce the number of airframes available to the GCC for other 

missions.

b. Aircraft characteristics for theater support aircraft are outlined below. Patient 

stability may dictate changes in the mix of patients to crew members, crew augmentees, 

and medical attendants affecting standard planning assumptions. 

(1) The C-130 is the primary USAF intratheater AE capable airlift aircraft 

available to support the GCC. This is a high wing, four engine turboprop cargo aircraft 

that can be fully pressurized, heated, and air conditioned. The C-130 aircraft can 

maintain a sea-level cabin altitude at an ambient altitude of 19,000 feet and an 8,000 foot 

cabin altitude at an ambient altitude of 35,000 feet. It can land and take-off on short 

runways, which allows rapid transportation of personnel and equipment. The C-130 

aircraft can be readily configured for AE by using seat and litter provisions stowed in the 

cargo compartment. The AE planning factor is for 50 patients. The C-130 aircraft poses 

several constraints for AE operations. These include cabin noise, which can make patient 

evaluation difficult and inadequate lighting for many patient care activities. The aircraft 

oxygen system needs to be supplemented by a self-contained AE system for therapeutic 

oxygen delivery. The single lavatory is on the cargo ramp and is impossible for some 

otherwise ambulatory patients to use. During engines-running on load and off-load 

operations at unimproved airfields, blown objects and dust can present eye hazards and 

stress to crew and patients.

(2) The C-17 aircraft is the nation’s newest operational strategic airlifter 

capable of transporting patients. The C-17 aircraft has 3 AE stations stowed on the 

sidewall to accommodate 9 litters. If additional litter stanchions are added to the aircraft, 

the C-17 aircraft can transport a total of 36 litter patients. The C-17 aircraft can also be 

configured with patient support pallets. Five therapeutic oxygen outlets are provided, and 

there are 12 designated AE utility receptacles for electrical power.

(3) KC-135 tanker aircraft are also routinely used to conduct AE missions. 

While the number of patients able to be transported is limited, the extended range makes 

it possible to fly non-stop to the US from many theaters of operation. The KC-135 has no 

inherent capability to convert to and AE configuration. It requires either patient support 

pallets or stacking litter systems be available in order for it to be configured for AE.

(4) Instances may occur that require the use of aircraft other than those 

normally used to support AE operations (C-5, KC-10, and C-21 aircraft). AE missions 
Service Component Transportation Assets 

C-7 

can be flown on these aircraft with careful planning consideration for the loading and 

unloading of patients and placement of patients during flight. On those occasions when 

AE crew members may be required to accompany patients on nontraditional aircraft, AE 

crew members should work closely with the flight crew and receive, at a minimum, a 

briefing on emergency egress, oxygen, and electrical system capability as it relates to 

patient and/or emergency use. Guidelines followed on other AE missions should be

observed as much as possible. AE crew members should refer to AE regulations for 

further guidance on utilizing specific aircraft.

6. Civil Reserve Air Fleet

In order to overcome shortfalls in fulfilling wartime AE requirements with retrograde 

airlift, Commander, USTRANSCOM, in conjunction with a number of airlines and the 

Department of Transportation, can activate the AE CRAF segment to provide aircraft 

dedicated to the strategic AE mission. The CRAF is composed of civil air carriers who 

contractually commit themselves to provide operating and support personnel, facilities, 

and aircraft to USTRANSCOM under stated conditions. The primary aircraft to be 

provided to support AE airlift is the Boeing 767 aircraft. Once activated, each Boeing 

767 aircraft would be reconfigured from its passenger configuration to an AE

configuration. With airline delivery time factored in, planning estimate is 72 hours from 

notification to the airlines to deliver an aircraft until the aircraft can be reconfigured. 

Planning factors to be used when moving patients is 87 patients per mission. Each 

Boeing 767 so configured would remain in the AE system until such time that the 

operation no longer requires it. 

7. Ambulance Bus

The ambulance bus is organic to the table of allowance for contingency hospitals and 

aeromedical staging squadrons. The ambulance bus has an inherent capability to 

transport 12 litters or a combination of litter and ambulatory patients from 4 litters and 24 

ambulatory or up to 12 litters and zero ambulatory. 

SECTION B. SUPPORTING NAVY/MARINE CORPS/COAST GUARD

EVACUATION ELEMENTS 

8. United States Navy 

a. Currently, the USN has no dedicated AE resources at theater level MTFs to go 

forward and retrieve casualties. Evacuation continues to be provided by lifts of 

opportunity from USN as well as other JTF resources as identified during the planning 

process.

b. Casualty Receiving and Treatment Ships. Designated ships of the amphibious

task force that can provide forward resuscitative care capability and medical and dental 

support to the landing force. General-purpose amphibious assault ships are suitable for 

use as casualty receiving and treatment ship. Aeromedical to casualty receiving and 

treatment ship is by USN or USMC lift of opportunity or in some cases by USA

helicopter.
Appendix C 

C-8 JP 4-02 

c. A Navy expeditionary medical facility (EMF) consists of health services, 

construction and support personnel as well as deployable medical system equipment, 

materials and consumables configured to support and provide up to theater 

hospitalization capability. The EMF mission is to set up, operate, and maintain a 

deployable medical facility ashore in an advanced base environment. The EMF will 

receive patients from forward medical facilities or directly from combat areas in order to 

provide full resuscitation and emergency stabilizing surgery within the prescribed 

evacuation policy throughout the range of military operations. 

d. Hospital Ships. Two hospital ships operated by Military Sealift Command are 

designed to provide emergency, on-site care for US forces during military operations. No 

USN or USMC dedicated evacuation support currently exists for USN ships. The USNS 

Mercy (T-AH 19) and USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) each contain 12 fully-equipped 

operating rooms, a 1,000 bed hospital facility, digital radiological services, a diagnostic 

and clinical laboratory, a pharmacy, an optometry lab, a cat scan, and two oxygen 

producing plants. Both vessels have a helicopter deck capable of landing large military 

helicopters, as well as side ports to take on patients at sea. The actual patient capacity 

will vary based on the type and severity of casualties anticipated, as well as mission 

tasked. For further information, see the Chief of Naval Operations Instruction 

3501.161D, Required Operational Capabilities and Projected Operational Environment 

for the T-AH 19 Mercy Class Hospital Ships. 

For more information on hospital ship capabilities, see NTTP 4-02.6, Hospital Ships.

e. The USN currently has no dedicated AE resources at definitive care capability 

MTFs. Therefore, USN doctrine relies on the collocation of a staging facility with FHP 

elements to facilitate patient evacuation. Although movement assets are primarily 

provided by the USAF, Figure C-1 depicts fixed-wing USN assets which could be 

employed on a case-by-case basis.

9. United States Marine Corps

The USMC depends on USN and other JTF evacuation assets for support. The 

USMC has no theater hospitalization capability assets.

10. Coast Guard 

The USCG depends on USN and other JTF evacuation assets for support. The 

USCG has limited first responder care capability and no forward resuscitative care

capability or theater hospitalization capability.

SECTION C. SUPPORTING UNITED STATES ARMY EVACUATION

ELEMENTS AND REQUEST PROCEDURES

11. General

a. The USA typically is the primary provider of air and ground MEDEVAC assets to 

the CCDR. The USA has dedicated assets specifically organized to provide this function. 
Service Component Transportation Assets 

C-9 

USA MEDEVAC provides forward patient movement to members of the joint force as 

well as HN, interagency, NGOs, detainees, and DOD and non-DOD civilians and 

contractors.

b. USA MEDEVAC in a theater may be provided in a general support or direct 

support role based on the requirements of the joint force. If available and allocated, team 

or company sized elements of USA air or ground ambulances can be tasked to directly 

support those elements of the joint force that do not have sufficient organic evacuation 

assets.

c. The support roles and allocation of MEDEVAC units are directed through the 

CCMD joint patient movement system (appendix 1 [Joint Patient Movement System] to 

annex Q [Medical Services] of the OPLAN or OPORD). The plan is based on many 

factors including casualty estimates based on supporting the HN, DOD and interagency 

populations, MTF locations, air and ground ambulance maintenance support locations, 

supported joint force units, missions, and theater geography. 

d. USA air and ground ambulance units are dedicated medical units and are afforded 

the protection of the Geneva Conventions. In compliance with the Geneva Conventions, 

these units may only perform the MEDEVAC mission (and other associated medical 

missions). Personal weapons are carried for self-defense and the defense of patients. All 

platforms are marked with a Red Cross or equivalent symbology. 

12. Evacuation Through the Joint Capabilities of Care 

a. Within the area JOA, patients are collected, triaged, treated, and returned to duty 

as far forward as possible. The patients are evacuated to the MTF most capable of 

providing the required treatment in the shortest possible time. The amount of evacuation 

activity is dependent upon combat intensity, environmental conditions, terrain, and other 

special circumstances.

b. USA patient evacuation of casualties in the JOA occurs from point of injury or 

illness to the appropriate capability of care. The USA uses this system to move its 

patients from point of injury through theater hospitalization capabilities of care and 

coordinates with the PMRC to ensure a seamless and cogent integration with the joint 

intertheater patient system. CASEVAC is a part of the USA doctrine. However, when 

utilized it requires deliberate and distinct planning used when dedicated patient 

movement assets are overwhelmed.

13. United States Army Medical Evacuation Units 

a. Air Ambulance Company

(1) Configuration. An air ambulance company consists of 15 MEDEVAC 

HH-60/UH-72A’s and approximately 109 assigned personnel. An air ambulance 

company is assigned to a general support aviation battalion.
Appendix C 

C-10 JP 4-02 

(2) Search Helicopter/MEDEVAC HH-60 Air Ambulance. Each 

MEDEVAC HH-60 is capable of carrying either six litter patients and one ambulatory 

patient, seven ambulatory patients, or some combination thereof. A litter-only 

configuration for 15 MEDEVAC HH-60 aircraft results in a total lift capacity of 90 litter 

or 84 ambulatory patients.

(3) UH-72A Air Ambulance. Each LUH-72 is capable of carrying two litter 

patients resulting in a total lift capacity of 24 litter patients.

(4) Mission. The air ambulance company’s mission is to conduct MEDEVAC 

within an operational area. 

(5) Capabilities. A typical air ambulance company provides the following: 

(a) Evacuation of patients from point of injury or illness to the required 

capability of care.

(b) The ability to task organize into four forward support MEDEVAC 

teams of three air ambulances each and one area support MEDEVAC platoon consisting 

of three aircraft. 

(c) Air crash rescue support, less fire suppression, in combat search and 

rescue operations.

(d) Rapid delivery of blood and blood products, biologicals, and medical 

supplies to meet critical requirements.

(e) Rapid movement of medical personnel and their accompanying 

equipment and supplies in response to MASCAL, reinforcement and/or reconstitution, or 

emergency situations.

(f) Movement of patients between MTFs, airheads, and/or ships.

b. Ground Ambulance Company

(1) Configuration. A ground ambulance company is 100 percent mobile and 

normally consists of 24 ground ambulances and 124 assigned personnel. 

(2) Mission. The ground ambulance company’s mission is to provide ground 

evacuation of patients within the operational area.

(3) Capabilities. There are a variety of Army ground ambulances. For light or 

varied operations, high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle and high mobility 

multipurpose wheeled vehicle derivatives are used. Each has a four-litter or eight

ambulatory patient capacity. For airborne or high mobility operations the mechanized 

M996 derivative is used, with a two litter capacity. For heavy (armor) operations, an 

armored personnel carrier (M113) derivative is used in some units. The Stryker 

MEDEVAC vehicle is a highly mobile armored evacuation vehicle and is the newest 
Service Component Transportation Assets 

C-11 

USA ground evacuation platform. The ground ambulance company provides the 

following: 

(a) Evacuation of patients (consistent with evacuation priorities and 

operational considerations) from point of injury or illness.

(b) Movement of patients between MTFs, airheads, or seaports. 

(c) Emergency movement of medical supplies.

14. Evacuation Request Procedures

a. General Instructions. Procedures for requesting MEDEVAC are derived from 

an established joint patient movement system (appendix 1 [Joint Patient Movement 

System] to annex Q [Medical Services] of the OPLAN or OPORD). The same format is 

used for requesting both air and ground evacuation. Before initiating an evacuation 

operation, a unit must have an established medical evacuation plan. The plan may be an 

SOP or it may be designed for a particular operation. 

b. Unit Responsibilities in Evacuation. A request for MEDEVAC places certain 

responsibilities on the requesting unit. To prepare for and assist evacuation operations, 

the unit must ensure the following: 

(1) The tactical situation permits evacuation and patient information is ready 

when the request is submitted. 

(2) An English-speaking representative at the pickup site when the evacuation is 

requested for non-US personnel. 

(3) Patients are moved to the safest aircraft approach and departure point or 

ground ambulance exchange point.

(4) Unit personnel are familiar with the principles of helicopter operations. The 

unit typically: 

(a) Prepares the landing site. 

(b) Loads and unloads the helicopter according to the crew’s instructions. 

(c) Briefs the pilot on the location of enemy troops. 

(d) Guides the helicopter using hand signals. 

c. Medical Evacuation Request Formats and Procedures. The MEDEVAC 

request is used for requesting evacuation support for both air and ground ambulances. 

There are two established MEDEVAC formats and procedures: one for wartime use and 

one for peacetime use. The differences that exist between these two formats are noted in 

lines six and nine in Figure C-7. Additionally, under all non-war conditions clear text 
Appendix C 

C-12 JP 4-02 

transmissions of MEDEVAC requests are authorized. During wartime, evacuation 

requests are transmitted by secure means if possible.

d. Transmission of the Request. Medical evacuation requests should be made to 

the unit that controls evacuation assets, by the most direct communications means 

available. The communications means and the channels used will depend on factors such 

as the organization, location on the battlefield, distance between units, and the 

communications means available at the time. Primary and alternate channels to be used 

are specified in the unit evacuation plan. 

(1) Transmission Security. Wartime conditions dictate all requests be 

transmitted by secure means if possible. Regardless of the type of communications 

equipment used in transmission, it is necessary to: 

(a) Make the proper contact with the intended receiver.

(b) Use accurate call signs and frequencies from the unit at the pickup site. 

(c) Provide the opening statement: “I HAVE A MEDEVAC REQUEST.”

(d) The unit requesting the MEDEVAC must monitor the frequency they 

provided in the 9 line request (Figure C-7, line two of the request) in order to receive 

contact from the evacuation vehicle. 

(2) Receiver Acknowledgment. After the opening statement is made, the 

transmitter breaks for acknowledgment. 

e. Relaying Requests. If the unit receiving the request does not control the 

evacuation means, it must relay the request either to the HQ or unit that has control or to 

another relaying unit. 
Service Component Transportation Assets 

C-13 

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Appendix C 

C-14 JP 4-02 

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Service Component Transportation Assets 

C-15 

DESCRIPTION OF MEDICAL EVACUATION 

REQUEST PREPARATION (cont’d)

LINE ITEM FORMAT SOURCE

NORMAL 

SOURCE REASON

7

Method of 

Marking Pickup 

Site

Encrypt the brevity 

codes.

A - Panels.

B - Pyrotechnic signal. 

C - Smoke signal.

D - None. 

E - Other.

Based on 

situation 

and 

availability 

of 

materials.

Medic or 

senior 

person 

present

Required to assist the 

evacuation crew in 

identifying the specific 

location of the pickup. 

Note that the color of 

the panels or smoke 

should not be 

transmitted until the 

evacuation vehicle 

contacts the unit (just 

prior to its arrival). For 

security, the crew 

should identify the color 

and the unit verify it.

8

Patient 

Nationality 

and Status

The number of patients 

in each category need 

not be transmitted. 

Encrypt only the 

applicable brevity 

codes. 

A - US military. 

B - US civilian.

C - Non-US military. 

D - Non-US civilian.

E - Enemy Prisoner of

War

From 

evaluation 

of patient

Medic or 

senior 

person 

present

Required to assist in 

planning for destination 

facilities and need for 

guards. Unit requesting 

support should ensure 

that there is an Englishspeaking representative 

at the pickup site.

9

(Wartime) 

Chemical, 

Biological, 

Radiological, 

or Nuclear 

Contamination

Include this line only 

when applicable. 

Encrypt the applicable 

brevity codes. 

C – Chemical.

B - Biological. 

R - Radiological.

N - Nuclear.

From 

situation

Medic or 

senior 

person 

present

Required to assist in 

planning for the mission. 

(Determine which 

evacuation vehicle will 

accomplish the mission 

and when it will be 

accomplished).

9

(Peacetime) 

Terrain 

Description

Include details of 

terrain features in and 

around proposed 

landing site. If 

possible, describe 

relationship of site to 

prominent terrain 

feature (lake, 

mountain, tower).

From area 

survey

Personnel 

at site

Required to allow 

evacuation personnel 

to assess route/avenue 

of approach into area. 

Of particular 

importance if hoist 

operation is required.

Legend

Pnt patient

RTO radio/transmitter operator

SOI signal operating instructions

SURG surgical

Figure C-7. Description of Medical Evacuation Request Preparation (cont’d)
Appendix C 

C-16 JP 4-02 

15. Medical Evacuation Request and After-Action Record

Once the evacuation mission is completed, an after-action record of the mission will 

be completed to provide historical data and lessons learned. A sample of this record is 

shown in Figure C-8. 

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Appendix C 

C-18 JP 4-02 

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D-1 

APPENDIX D

MEDICAL LOGISTICS SUPPORT 

1. Introduction 

a. MEDLOG provides life cycle management for the specialized products and 

services required to support HSS and FHP. These products and services are used almost 

exclusively by the medical system, are critical to its success in delivering health care, and 

are usually subject to strict standards and practices that govern the health care industry in 

the US. MEDLOG functions are managed within the health system using DOD standard 

business processes and medical information systems, and are supported by organizations 

and business processes that are adaptable, scalable, and tailored to the medical mission. 

Primary MEDLOG functions provided in support of the CCDR include: 

(1) Medical supply chain management (Class VIIIA), including gases. 

(2) Medical equipment and technology management. 

(3) Medical equipment maintenance and repair. 

(4) Optical fabrication and repair. 

(5) Blood storage and distribution (Class VIIIB). 

(6) Medical facility planning and management. 

(7) Medical logistic services. 

(8) Medical contracting support. 

b. MEDLOG support requires intensive management and close collaboration among 

medical logisticians and clinicians throughout all roles of care to ensure that MEDLOG is 

responsive to clinical demands. The vast majority of medical supplies and equipment 

used in health support are commercial, non-developmental items that are subject to rapid 

changes in technology and clinical practice. MEDLOG support is characterized by a 

lean, intensively managed supply chain that extends from the national supplier network to 

customers deployed far-forward in the theater. Effective management of this supply 

chain has led to close collaboration and formal partnerships that integrate strategic 

programs managed by DLA with the Services’ operational MEDLOG capabilities. 

2. Organization for Medical Logistics Support 

a. The ASD(HA) establishes DOD policies, programs, and standards that govern the 

provision of military health care. This includes the establishment, in coordination with 

the DLA and the Military Service Surgeons General, of performance standards for the 

provision of medical materiel support to the Military Health System. 
Appendix D 

D-2 JP 4-02 

b. The Military Departments provide fully equipped and provisioned operational 

medical units, to include the necessary force structure to provide MEDLOG support for 

their respective Services. The Services also provide the requirements data necessary to 

forecast and source the types and quantities of medical materiel to be procured by DLA 

for health support across the range of military operations. 

c. The GCC is ultimately responsible for the MEDLOG and the required medical 

materiel and equipment for their assigned and attached units. 

(1) A designated CCMD surgeon advises the GCC on all MEDLOG support 

matters and provides the following MEDLOG functions: 

(a) Prepares the detailed MEDLOG guidance, tasks, and joint MEDLOG 

CONOPS. 

(b) Develops the theater pharmaceutical formulary in conjunction with the 

senior pharmacy officer and other medical materiel policy guidance and planning factors 

for the GCC, to include: 

1. Preparatory requirements for pre-positioning of medical materiel, 

including medical biological chemical defense materiel, medical countermeasures (such 

as antimalarial drugs), and terminal prophylaxis. 

2. Theater policy for the individual issue of controlled substances, such 

as diazepam or morphine auto-injectors to appropriate medical personnel. 

3. Theater policy for the refill of prescription medications for 

preexisting chronic medical conditions. 

4. The management and disposal of regulated medical waste. 

5. Review and recommend approval/disapproval of requests for 

nonstandard medical equipment beyond unit authorized allowances. 

(c) Advises the GCC on the joint application of MEDLOG resources to 

promote efficiency and minimize the MEDLOG footprint. This includes 

recommendations for establishment or designation of a SIMLM and coordination with 

the DLA for designation of a TLAMM. 

(d) Maintains liaison with component surgeons and resolve MEDLOG 

conflicts surfaced by component commands. 

(e) Maintains liaison with attached medical units responsible for execution 

of the MEDLOG mission(s), as well as theater MEDLOG organizations, to include the 

DLA and its regional command, TLAMM (if designated), the JDDOC, the joint mobility 

control group, and the MEDLOG management center. 
Medical Logistics Support 

D-3 

(f) Monitors MEDLOG support, to include status of critical and/or special 

interest materiel or systems, MEDLOG staffing, and supply chain performance. 

(g) Supervises the activities of the AJBPO. 

(h) Advises the GCC on the disposition of captured enemy medical 

materiel in accordance with the Geneva Conventions. 

(2) The GCC establishes capabilities for theater MEDLOG by requesting the 

operational MEDLOG forces required to support the medical plan. To the extent 

possible, theater MEDLOG leverages distribution capabilities and information 

technology to minimize layers of storage and MEDLOG management, and employ 

MEDLOG capabilities that support all Service components and designated multinational 

partners to minimize unnecessary redundancy and promote supply chain efficiency. 

Theater MEDLOG is employed as part of the integrated medical system typically under 

the management control of the Service component. MEDLOG support functions are 

performed at every role of the medical system and are dependent upon integrated plans 

and processes that are fully synchronized with theater medical operations. 

(a) First responder and forward resuscitative care capabilities are the 

theater’s most far-forward, highly disbursed, and fast-moving medical elements. These 

units are very limited in the amount of materiel and equipment they carry, and are 

typically self-sufficient for not more than 72 hours of operations. Their primary 

MEDLOG functions are management of organic medical sets and equipment, and 

initiating and managing requests for replenishment or maintenance support. Management 

and replenishment of organic medical equipment sets relies heavily upon end users who 

have clinical or other primary responsibilities that are non-logistics functions. Forward 

resuscitative care also includes limited medical supply and maintenance provided by 

organic Service component tactical MEDLOG elements. Successful MEDLOG is reliant 

upon processes and supporting systems that are simple to use and reliable. The 

MEDLOG system also relies heavily upon intratheater distribution capabilities that 

provide time-definite delivery and timely and accurate in-transit visibility. First 

responder and forward resuscitative care MEDLOG capabilities are controlled by the 

medical or maneuver unit of which they are an organic part. 

(b) Theater hospitalization units include hospitalization as well as modular, 

specialty capabilities that comprise an integrated, multifunctional medical system. It 

represents the most complex supply and equipment requirements for MEDLOG. Most of 

these units include organic MEDLOG capabilities to manage unit-level inventory and 

medical maintenance, support internal customers, and provide limited area support to 

external customers or attached medical teams. These units are supported by theater-level 

and/or strategic MEDLOG units or organizations provided by the Services in response to 

the GCC plan. 

(c) Theater level MEDLOG is tailored to the mission, supported force, 

threat, and geography of the supported theater. It is comprised of operational MEDLOG 

units requested by the GCC and task organized within the theater medical system to 
Appendix D 

D-4 JP 4-02 

responsively and efficiently sustain all supported forces. Theater-level MEDLOG 

capabilities reach directly into national commercial supplier networks or institutional 

MEDLOG organizations of the Military Health System. Theater MEDLOG units are 

typically under the control of the senior medical commander within a joint medical task 

force or Service component command tasked with providing theater MEDLOG to 

supported forces.

d. The SIMLM responsibility is assigned, as required, by a the GCC to a Service 

component command or element of a JTF to provide MEDLOG support to other Services 

and designated multinational partners. Single integrated MEDLOG management is 

established to promote supply chain efficiency and minimize the theater MEDLOG 

footprint. When directed, the SIMLM, in coordination with the JFS, DLA, and 

supporting TLAMM (if designated), will develop a MEDLOG plan and identify 

additional requirements necessary to provide MEDLOG support to all designated 

customers and effectively extend MEDLOG into the theater in support of forward 

medical elements. 

(1) The additional requirements may include capabilities essential to sustain an 

OPLAN or augment existing organizations that provide routine support to theater 

MEDLOG operations in order to meet expanded mission requirements. 

(2) The assignment of the SIMLM is mission-specific and depends upon the 

composition of the supported force (such as, one Service versus multiple Service 

components) and the complexity of intratheater distribution (such as, that dictates the 

need to deploy intermediate medical storage and distribution nodes in order to meet 

customer requirements). 

(3) The designated SIMLM may be augmented as required with MEDLOG 

capabilities provided by other Services at the direction of the GCC, or by the other 

Services providing forces to the GCC. SIMLM supports optimization of supply chain 

management without claim to authority. 

(4) A MEDLOG organization or unit of any Service may be tasked to support a 

SIMLM mission. The tasking should specify the scope of services provided such as 

customers supported and functions provided. The tasked organization or unit may be 

augmented and scaled to provide the capabilities required to support the specified 

mission. Planning and support responsibilities performed by an organization or unit 

performing a SIMLM mission may include: 

(a) Class VIII storage and distribution, to include storage and management 

of critical items and other materiel of special interest to the JFS. 

(b) Coordinating Class VIII support from the national-level, to include 

cross-docking materiel from strategic sources of supply. 

(c) Monitoring the status of critical items, such as PMI and blood/blood 

products, and other items determined by the JFS. 
Medical Logistics Support 

D-5 

(d) Assessing Class VIII readiness and advising the JFS. 

(e) Planning and synchronizing medical maintenance and repair support, 

including contracted maintenance services. 

(f) Planning and coordinating medical assemblage production, optical 

fabrication and repair, medical gas production, and similar in-theater support. 

(g) Coordinating support from foreign sources of supply and support 

provided to multinational partners. 

(h) Planning and coordinating redeployment to include reconstitution and 

reutilization of assets in theater and use of material for FHA or civil affairs projects in 

conjunction with NGOs or HN governments. 

(5) The SIMLM mission and capability will evolve in relation to the phases of a 

supported operation and needs of the deploying forces. Initially, the SIMLM will 

coordinate the flow of logistics information/flow of Class VIII materiel from US sources 

of supply and the US based Class VIII national inventory control point and Service item 

control centers. It will also coordinate the distribution/transportation of Class VIII (A & 

B) materiel to US forces deployed to the operational area. As the operation continues and 

the theater matures, the SIMLM will also maintain visibility of materiel critical to the 

treatment and evacuation of patients. When appropriately equipped, the SIMLM will 

maintain total asset visibility/in-transit visibility of all theater Class VIII assets.

e. The DLA is the DOD executive agent for medical materiel pursuant to DODD 

5101.9, Executive Agent for Medical Materiel. The executive agent supports the CCDR 

within the following broad operational framework: 

(1) The Services organize and equip fully capable medical personnel and may 

be tasked to deploy Service unique MEDLOG personnel to accomplish medical 

operations in support of the CCDR. 

(2) The DLA provides national contracts with medical prime vendors and other 

commercial partners that provide access to commercially-held materiel and use of the 

Defense Working Capital Fund to meet immediate inventory requirements and achieve 

materiel readiness in support of medical operations. 

(3) Designated lead agents provide the operational capability to execute 

executive agent strategic programs and end-to-end supply chain management in support 

of the CCDR. There are 2 types of lead agent: 

(a) Functional lead agents, such as the Defense Medical Logistics 

Proponent Committee and the Defense Medical Materiel Program Office, develop 

functional requirements to support best business processes and promote materiel 

standardization, respectively. 
Appendix D 

D-6 JP 4-02 

(b) Theater lead agents for medical materiel are organizations designated 

by the CJCS to provide medical materiel distribution and assistance the CCDR in 

requirements and medical supply chain planning. 

(4) The CCDR in coordination with the DOD executive agent establishes the 

overall medical supply chain strategy as part of the MEDLOG plan for annex Q (Medical 

Services). This strategy includes the theater policy for medical requisition and materiel 

flow, establishment of major Class VIII distribution nodes, and assignment (as required) 

of a SIMLM mission. The supply chain strategy may incorporate discrete MEDLOG 

capabilities provided by one or more Services or the joint augmentation of MEDLOG 

organizations to achieve required capabilities. 

f. A TLAMM is an organization or unit designated to serve as a major theater 

medical distribution node and provide the face to the customer for MEDLOG and supply 

chain management. It provides a support operations structure that has habitual 

relationships with medical customers, supporting MEDLOG organizations, transportation 

and distribution managers, and the supported JFS. A TLAMM may be an existing 

organization that provides routine medical materiel support to theater medical operations, 

or an organization that is created as required for a specific OPLAN by deployment of the 

necessary MEDLOG capabilities. It is normally operated by a Service component 

command as part of the integrated medical system. A TLAMM may be a military 

organization or unit or, under some circumstances, a contractor operated activity. The 

TLAMM supports all Service components and designated multinational and/or 

nongovernmental customers. 

(1) The TLAMM serves as the single POC between supported customers and 

numerous national-level industry partners. It stores and manages the distribution of 

medical materiel through close coordination with theater transportation and movement 

management activities that support the CCDR’s logistics plan. It provides the intensive 

management required for the medical commodity. 

(2) The TLAMM is normally responsible for the provision of all core 

MEDLOG functions required to support medical operations. These include medical 

supply, medical equipment maintenance and repair, optical fabrication and repair, 

assembly and fielding of medical assemblages, and management of vaccines, 

investigational drugs, special equipment, and any other materiel subject to special interest 

or control by the JFS. 

g. Service MEDLOG agencies are responsible for managing MEDLOG programs 

that support the projection and sustainment of their respective Services’ operational 

forces. These agencies include the USA Medical Materiel Agency, the USN MEDLOG 

Command, the USAF Medical Operations Agency, and USMC Systems Command. 

While each of these agencies has Service-specific responsibilities and chains of 

command, they perform similar functions that support theater medical operations. These 

include: 

(1) Forecasting and programming of Service medical materiel requirements. 
Medical Logistics Support 

D-7 

(2) Acquisition and life cycle management of medical equipment. 

(3) Managing the production and maintenance of medical assemblages. 

(4) Capturing and managing MEDLOG information relative to medical 

assemblages and equipment. 

(5) Medical materiel fielding programs. 

(6) Management of pre-positioned unit sets and sustainment materiel.

h. The MEDLOG Management Center is a USA MEDLOG organization that 

supports theater MEDLOG operations. Its responsibilities include monitoring critical 

medical items and systems and assessment of medical supply chain performance. The 

MEDLOG Management Center maintains close coordination with all theater MEDLOG 

units, the TLAMM, the JFS and other Service components as well as with the DLA and 

its strategic network supplies to facilitate effective MEDLOG support to the CCDR. 

(1) The Army MEDLOG Management Center is designed to provide 

centralized theater-level commodity management of Class VIII materiel in accordance 

with the JFS’s policies. It is a modular organization designed to operate in a split-based 

mode. Its US strategic base provides centralized medical materiel and linkage to 

national-level capabilities and readiness programs. On order, it deploys a forward 

support team to each theater to manage and synchronize theater-level MEDLOG support 

for the JFC. When deployed, the MEDLOG Management Center forward support team is 

assigned to the USAs medical command (deployment support). 

(2) The MEDLOG Management Center forward support team coordinates with 

the distribution management center of the USA theater sustainment command or JDDOC 

established by the GCC to manage theater distribution. This MEDLOG Management 

Center remains under the control of the medical commander, but works closely with 

theater distribution and movement managers to coordinate medical requirements and 

promote efficient and effective use of distribution resources. 

(3) The MEDLOG Management Center provides technical direction to all Army 

operational MEDLOG units that comprise the theater MEDLOG system, to include those 

that fall under the OPCON of subordinate medical HQ. This is to ensure synchronization 

and visibility of MEDLOG activities throughout the theater and to ensure that supply 

chain management is not fragmented by MEDLOG unit boundaries. Its scope includes 

all aspects of theater materiel and medical maintenance support as well as other 

MEDLOG functions such as optical fabrication and repair, equipment reconstitution, 

materiel fielding, assemblage management, and provision of medical gasses, and local 

contracting support for medial materiel and services. It may also plan and coordinate 

support from local, foreign sources of supply (when required), as well as MEDLOG 

provided to, or received from, multinational partners. 

(4) The MEDLOG planner should address the need for early deployment of a 

MEDLOG Management Center forward support team into the theater to assist the 
Appendix D 

D-8 JP 4-02 

medical commander and JFS in establishing, managing, and assessing MEDLOG 

operations in support of arriving forces. 

i. Defense Logistics Agency Commands and Agencies 

(1) The DLA Troop Support manages and executes national-level medical 

materiel acquisition and distribution programs that provide access to materiel held in 

commercial inventories at the supplier end of the medical supply chain. These programs 

include medical prime vendor, web-based ordering, and multiple forms of contingency 

programs with manufacturers and distributors to assure access to sufficient materiel to 

meet forecasted theater requirements. DLA Troop Support also establishes national 

maintenance contracts for major medical equipment systems, particularly diagnostic 

imaging, that may be accessed by theater MEDLOG managers. DLA Troop Support is 

the lead organization within DLA for implementation of DOD executive agent for 

medical materiel and the synchronizing of medical supply chain activities among the 

Services, other DLA commands, and designated lead agents.

(2) DLA distribution centers provide storage and distribution of medical 

materiel that is held in DOD national-level inventory. DLA distribution centers also 

provide “kitting” and assembly operations for the production of medical assemblages and 

configured supply packages in support of Service MEDLOG. 

(3) Defense Logistics Information Service manages DOD MEDLOG data, 

providing data products used to update MEDLOG catalogs and disseminate MEDLOG 

catalog information to DOD users. The Universal Data Repository is the primary 

Defense Logistics Information Service information product used by MEDLOG activities. 

j. The resourcing of medical materiel requirements is a key factor in execution of 

MEDLOG plans, particularly with regard to the acquisition of medical materiel necessary 

to initially deploy medical units, to pre-position medical materiel in theater for medical 

sustainment, and to conduct theater supply operations within a working capital fund. 

DLA Troop Support, in coordination with the Services, provides several contingency 

programs with distributors and manufacturers that allow the purchase of materiel for 

deployment and sustainment to be deferred until needed; thereby tremendously reducing 

the DOD’s direct investment in inventory and infrastructure. However, when this 

materiel is required, resources are required to purchase materiel from commercial 

partners for delivery to deploying units or for pre-positioning in theater in anticipation of 

sustainment requirements. 

(1) Service Responsibilities. The Services are responsible for the complete 

equipping and provisioning of operational forces provided to the CCMDs. This includes 

the funding of contingency programs that are specifically intended to provide initial 

operating capability for deploying units, as well as the direct purchase of materiel and 

equipment required by deploying forces. The inability to provide Service funding in time 

to fully provision deploying units has historically contributed to units arriving in theater 

with immediate demands for large quantities of medical materiel, placing a burden on 

theater MEDLOG units as well as strategic and theater distribution assets. 
Medical Logistics Support 

D-9 

(2) Department of Defense Executive Agent Responsibilities. DLA, as the 

DOD executive agent for medical materiel, is responsible for programming and providing 

necessary resources to support Class VIII sustainment and to secure contingency materiel 

at commercial sources or pre-position materiel in strategic locations to support CCDR 

requirements. The requirement to pre-position medical materiel in theater is determined 

by the CCDR in coordination with the executive agent and supported Service component, 

and made a part of the negotiated performance-based agreement between the executive 

agent and the CCDR. Performance based agreements will be established between DLA 

and each CCDR, formalizing performance standards, metrics, and operational roles and 

responsibilities for medical supply chain support to the CCDR and medical operations. 

3. Theater-Level Medical Logistics 

a. Theater-level MEDLOG refers to the functions that manage, coordinate, and 

synchronize the execution of the MEDLOG plan in support of theater medical operations. 

Theater-level MEDLOG typically includes support to all Service components and 

designated multinational forces. MEDLOG functions are usually provided by operational 

MEDLOG units (including the MEDLOG Management Center) that are tailored and 

scaled to the mission and phase of the operation and operate in close coordination with a 

designated TLAMM and the DLA. Theater-level MEDLOG operations may be under the 

control of the operational medical HQ assigned responsibility for theater MEDLOG 

support and may be under the oversight of the JFS. These operations include 

intermediate-level medical supply operations that provide theater storage and distribution 

of medical materiel. Primary MEDLOG functions accomplished at the theater level that 

must be addressed in the medical plan include: 

(1) Execution of theater preparatory tasks for MEDLOG. 

(2) Port operations and reception, staging, onward movement, and integration. 

(3) Area support to forward units. 

(4) Support to theater hospitals. 

(5) Support to the maneuver force. 

(6) Support to redeployment and/or retrograde operations. 

(7) MEDLOG information systems management. 

b. Execution of Theater Preparatory Tasks for MEDLOG. Typically the CCDR 

will develop a list of preparatory tasks that must be accomplished in preparation for 

anticipated operations. This list may include the pre-positioning of medical materiel and 

the establishment of theater MEDLOG capabilities necessary to support reception, 

staging, onward movement, and integration and initial entry medical operations. Prepositioned materiel may include stocks for initial sustainment, medical operations during 

reception, staging, onward movement, and integration, and special medical materiel such 
Appendix D 

D-10 JP 4-02 

as medical biological chemical defense materiel, special vaccines, and other medical 

materiel under control of the JFS. 

c. Port Operations and Reception, Staging, Onward Movement, and 

Integration. Health support must be capable of operations immediately upon arrival of 

initial entry of forces (even with permissive entry); therefore, MEDLOG must be 

included in planning for port opening and early entry operations. In almost every 

operation, lessons learned reflect that theater MEDLOG units must also provide Class 

VIII materiel for unit shortages that were not filled prior to unit embarkation. Planning 

for MEDLOG operations during early entry/reception, staging, onward movement, and 

integration should address: 

(1) Class VIII supply support to primary medical care (sick call) and area 

medical support in order to minimize the use of materiel from arriving units’ organic 

medical equipment sets. 

(2) The issue of medical unit sets from pre-positioned stocks or war reserve 

materiel. 

(3) Coordination for movement of medical materiel, to include medical 

equipment sets, from the sea or aerial port of debarkation to staging or operational areas. 

(4) The reception and issue of potency dated, refrigerated, and controlled 

substances, including “push packages” of unit configured materiel and “just-in-time” 

modernization items. 

(5) Storage and security of medical materiel requiring special handling, such as 

controlled substances, refrigerated materiel, and other items of special interest to the JFS. 

(6) Priority for the filling of significant unplanned medical equipment sets or 

sustainment shortages. 

d. Area Support to First Responders and Forward Resuscitative Care 

Capabilities. First responders and forward resuscitative care capabilities usually operate 

throughout the theater area. These include separate medical teams, detachment and 

company-sized units, as well as medical elements organic to operational forces operating 

in the theater area. MEDLOG support to these units is generally provided on an area 

basis by theater MEDLOG units. 

e. Support to Theater Hospitals. Theater hospitals present the most complex 

medical materiel requirements, and may consume materiel at a tremendous rate when 

providing trauma care in support of combat operations. Specialty care such as burn, 

orthopedic, and neurosurgery often requires materiel and equipment that is not standard 

and may not have been anticipated or stocked prior to deployment. Whenever possible, 

theater hospitals should be located at or near aerial port of debarkations to facilitate 

patient movement as well as resupply, and be made direct customers of the most capable 

MEDLOG organization at the theater or strategic level. 
Medical Logistics Support 

D-11 

f. Direct Support to the Maneuver Force. MEDLOG elements organic to 

maneuver forces are reliant upon supply chain capabilities that are provided by theater 

level MEDLOG organizations. Theater level MEDLOG organizations Class VIII support 

should be tailored to provide Class VIII support with customer wait times that are 

acceptable to the maneuver forces. 

g. Support to Redeployment/Retrograde Operations. The redeployment of 

forces presents MEDLOG requirements for command policy as well as MEDLOG 

operations. During prolonged operations with force rotations, redeployment/retrograde 

operations may occur simultaneously with reception, staging, onward movement, and 

integration during later phases of an operation. 

(1) The JFS will assist the CCDR in establishing policy and procedures for 

redeployment processing, to include: 

(a) Administration of the post deployment health survey and health 

counseling for redeploying personnel, to include information on the need for terminal 

prophylaxis and collection of unused personal medications issued in theater. 

(b) Collection and appropriate disposition of medical materiel issued to 

individuals, to include medical biological chemical defense materiel and drugs issued for 

use as medical countermeasures. 

(c) Collection and appropriate disposition of medical materiel from units, 

to include materiel deemed unserviceable, excess to unit needs, or otherwise unsuitable 

for return to home stations. 

(d) Collection and redistribution, as appropriate, for medical equipment 

purchased with theater funds. 

(2) Theater-level MEDLOG units/organizations will support medical units and 

elements of maneuver units for: 

(a) The turn-in of pre-positioned materiel that will remain in theater to be 

reconstituted and returned to pre-positioned storage. 

(b) The technical inspection, refurbishing, and reconstitution of medical 

equipment and assemblages that will remain in theater as pre-positioned stocks or 

transferred to arriving forces. 

(c) The transfer of medical materiel and/or equipment to be redistributed to 

arriving forces (includes “equipment-in-place” or “left behind equipment” as well as 

retaining equipment purchased with theater funds). 

(d) The collection point for medical materiel and equipment identified as 

no longer required by the DOD for final disposition. Final disposition of medical 

materiel and equipment from the DOD inventory includes transfers to other governmental 

agencies, support to US allies and humanitarian assistance missions through Department 
Appendix D 

D-12 JP 4-02 

of State programs, transfers to DLA Distribution Services for disposition, or sales onto 

secondary markets or disposal. 

h. Time Phasing of MEDLOG. The MEDLOG requirements and capabilities in 

the theater will usually change over the course of an operation, from the preparatory and 

early entry phases through redeployment of forces. The MEDLOG plan should permit 

flexibility to scale capabilities up or down as appropriate to adapt to medical 

requirements during every phase of an operation. The flexibility to scale MEDLOG will 

be enhanced by establishing an overarching concept for theater medical supply chain 

management and placing theater-level MEDLOG capabilities under the control of a 

senior medical commander charged with execution of the MEDLOG plan. Flexibility 

may also be achieved by integrating support from all sources to include reachback into 

the MEDLOG plan. 

(1) Health support must be available to support initial entry forces (even with 

permissive entry); therefore, MEDLOG must be planned for port opening and early entry 

operations. During the early phase, Class VIII sustainment may rely upon preconfigured 

packages shipped from the national level or pre-positioned theater stocks. Preconfigured 

“push packages” of Class VIII historically produce a great deal of wasted materiel, 

therefore, sustainment should transition as quickly as possible to line item requisitions. 

MEDLOG capabilities will build in the theater with the arrival of forces sufficient to 

ensure effective support of medical operations. 

(2) As communications and movement capabilities mature, theater MEDLOG 

should be able to leverage more reliable distribution capabilities to satisfy most customer 

orders from theater or even from strategic-level stocks. The MEDLOG footprint should 

be driven by customer wait time; that is, MEDLOG capabilities should be positioned in 

the supply chain to be able to deliver the support required within a time-definite standard 

set in the MEDLOG plan and theater performance-based agreements. 

(3) Maturing theater communications and distribution channels may allow the 

MEDLOG footprint to be reduced to achieve greater efficiency. To the extent possible, 

customer orders should be filled from the highest level of MEDLOG that meets customer 

requirements. Some functions may also be able to transition from military to contract or 

civilian capabilities, while remaining under the oversight of the medical JFS. Plans to 

‘right-size’ the theater MEDLOG footprint will be developed by the medical commander 

charged with executing the MEDLOG plan with the oversight of the JFS. 

(4) During retrograde operations, MEDLOG capabilities may have to be 

increased to effectively manage additional work associated with recovery, inspection, 

refurbishment, and/or packing for shipment or return to war reserve materiel storage. 

4. Distribution of Medical Materiel 

a. The DLA and the USTRANSCOM share responsibility for orchestrating effective 

supply chain support to the CCDR and collaborating in the development of strategic 

distribution processes and movement programs. 
Medical Logistics Support 

D-13 

b. Medical supply chain management is characterized by substantial integration with 

the health care sector of the national industrial base and by the intensive management of 

medical requirements and supply chain activities by MEDLOG managers within the 

theater medical system. The medical system does not own or manage the transportation 

resources used to distribute medical materiel, which typically flows through the same 

distribution channels and is subject to the same movement controls as all other classes of 

supply. MEDLOG managers must work closely with the movement control elements at 

all levels to make the most effective use of transportation resources to meet medical 

requirements.

c. National-level distribution of medical materiel is primarily accomplished by 

commercial partners, including medical prime vendors, manufacturers, and other thirdparty medical distributors delivering materiel directly to the requesting customer. 

Medical prime vendors typically deliver materiel from regional distribution centers to 

each requesting medical facility using owned or leased transportation assets. Materiel not 

available through DLA Troop Support prime vendor or ordering systems is locally 

managed by individual medical facilities; these facilities coordinate delivery of locally 

managed materiel to the forward operating base. 

d. Strategic distribution to overseas theaters is primarily accomplished through 

commercial tenders arranged by DLA in coordination with the USTRANSCOM. These 

commercial carriers pick up materiel daily from the prime vendor distribution facility for 

delivery to the designated TLAMM supporting the theater. Materiel shipped from other 

commercial partners is delivered to designated military or commercial distribution 

centers for onward transportation to the supported theater by either military or 

commercial carrier. In either case, the TLAMM receives and either stores or 

reconfigures materiel for further shipment to the customer through intratheater channels. 

e. Intratheater distribution is reliant upon transportation capabilities provided by 

military ground and/or tactical aircraft or contracted commercial carriers under the 

control of the Deployment and Distribution Operations Center and movement 

management elements within the theater. MEDLOG units do not provide transportation 

of materiel. Priorities for movement of Class VIII material are established by the CCDR 

and supported maneuver commanders. MEDLOG managers must recognize that, 

historically, Class VIII has had a lower priority for movement than other commodities; 

therefore, supply chain activity and the medical materiel status of medical units must be 

closely monitored so that movement managers can make informed decisions on the 

optimum use of transportation resources, and the JFS can assess the impact of supply 

chain capabilities upon medical operations. 

f. Special considerations for storage and distribution of medical materiel. These 

requirements will pose special challenges during early operations when MEDLOG units 

and storage capabilities are limited and distribution channels are immature:

(1) Temperature Sensitivity. Most pharmaceuticals and many medicalsurgical items are sensitive to temperature extremes (most require storage between 5-30

degrees Celsius/41-86 degrees Fahrenheit). Most laboratory reagents and vaccines as 
Appendix D 

D-14 JP 4-02 

well as blood require storage and transport temperatures be maintained within a specified 

range. This poses a challenge for storage at operational MEDLOG units as well as 

distribution nodes in regions where the ambient temperatures may destroy the 

effectiveness of unprotected medical materiel. Technologies that monitor the 

temperature during transit require special quality control procedures by MEDLOG 

personnel to interpret, report, and act upon the information provided. 

(2) Storage and Shipping. Most operational MEDLOG units have very 

limited environmentally controlled storage. Shipping materiel that needs thermal 

management will require insulated containers as well as sources of wet and/or dry ice. 

Planning for MEDLOG operations, especially in extreme climates, must address these 

needs for environmental protection of materiel in storage and in transit. Planning 

considerations include: 

(a) Buildings of opportunity, especially for the pre-positioning of inventory 

for theater sustainment. 

(b) The local leasing of commercial refrigeration trailers or warehouse 

units (with the necessary power for their operation). 

(c) Tents, military vans, or similar temporary structures. However, 

planning should include the provision of air conditioners or environmental control units 

along with the additional power generators or hookups to local power grids. 

(d) The availability of MEDLOG personnel appropriately trained in 

packing procedures for wet and dry ice shipments (improper packing has destroyed many 

medical shipments). 

(e) The training of MEDLOG personnel in the quality control procedures 

used for shipments monitored with temperature sensing technology. 

(3) Controlled Substances. Narcotics and other controlled substances are 

subject to specific physical security, inventory management, and issue control procedures 

established by federal statute and/or as Service regulations. MEDLOG planning must 

include the provision of appropriately secure storage, the availability of appropriately 

trained MEDLOG personnel to serve as controlled substances custodian, and theater 

policies for the issue of controlled substances, to include issues to individual first 

responders. 

(4) Distribution Expediters. Medical materiel frequently becomes frustrated 

or backlogged at intermediate distribution nodes. MEDLOG planning should consider 

the placement of small teams of MEDLOG specialists at critical or problematic nodes to 

assist transportation personnel in identifying medical materiel and resolving issues that 

prevent its onward movement. They would also ensure that action is taken to prevent its 

deterioration due to lack of refrigeration or environmental protection, and assist 

distribution managers in locating and expediting materiel that must be managed by 

exception. 
Medical Logistics Support 

D-15 

(5) Low Volume Shipments. Class VIII sustainment shipments for most 

medical customers typically are relatively low weight/cube. This poses a challenge 

because aerial ports try to make maximum use of aircraft capacity, leading to Class VIII 

materiel being held until there is sufficient volume to justify an aircraft. This increases 

customer wait time and increases the risk that medical materiel will be lost or will 

deteriorate while being held pending movement. MEDLOG planning should work 

closely with the Deployment and Distribution Operations Center and aerial port 

managers, especially for remote/disbursed customers, and establish customer wait time 

standards. Consideration should also be given to commercial tenders with carriers that 

will deliver materiel within established standards. 

(6) Commercial Tenders. The use of commercial carriers, both air and 

ground, may provide an effective means of meeting the distribution requirements for 

some customers or types of shipments, such as refrigerated or high priority items being 

managed by exception. However, commercial carriers also may pose additional 

challenges related to customs processing and cost. MEDLOG planning must work 

closely with the deployed distribution and operations center office to ensure awareness of 

customer requirements and to develop distribution strategies that meet medical 

requirements of units that are not well served by routine movement plans. 

(7) Customs Clearance. Cargo and personnel arriving in theater by 

commercial transportation are usually subject to processing through local customs. 

Customs processing can delay the availability of materiel and also be subject to 

additional fees, depending upon agreements between the host government and US forces. 

Theater MEDLOG planning should address customs procedures for each country within 

the operational area and include guidance in the medical annex to the applicable OPLAN. 

(8) Hazardous Materiel. MEDLOG planning must address the storage and 

movement of hazardous substances, such as compressed gasses (including oxygen), 

certain disinfectants, radiographic chemicals, alcohols, and other laboratory products. 

Planning must include the provision of materiel safety data sheets and protective 

clothing/equipment for MEDLOG personnel as well as appropriate storage facilities and 

containers/placards for shipment. MEDLOG unit training must include the certification 

of personnel to sign movement documentation for hazardous cargo. MEDLOG planners 

and commanders at all levels must understand that safety and regulatory requirements are 

not waived for most military operations, especially at the theater level, and violations can 

be a source of friction with an HN as well as unnecessary risk to US personnel. 

5. Information Management 

a. The theater medical information program provides the suite of DOD standard 

applications that support theater medical operations. These include medical C2, health 

care delivery, patient tracking, and MEDLOG. The theater medical information program 

applications are fielded and maintained by each Service. 

b. The Defense Health Services Systems office in conjunction with Theater Medical 

Information Program-Joint provides the DOD standard applications for MEDLOG in 
Appendix D 

D-16 JP 4-02 

both institutional and operational environments, respectively, integrating national and 

operational-level business processes, medical information management, and medical 

information technology. The Defense Medical Logistics Proponent Committee, under the 

direction of ASD(HA), is the functional proponent for the Defense Medical Logistics 

Standard Support Automated Information Systems as well as business process 

innovations that increase the efficiency and effectiveness of MEDLOG support of health 

support across the full range of military operations. The Defense Medical Logistics 

Standard Support applications enable end-to-end management of MEDLOG processes. 

These include: 

(1) The Defense Medical Logistics Standard Support provides medical supply, 

medical equipment management and maintenance, assembly management, facility 

management, and customer support functions. 

(2) The Defense Medical Logistics Standard Support Customer Assistance 

Module provides a simple, laptop-based tool for customer order management for tactical 

medical units. The Defense MEDLOG Standard Support Customer Assistance Module 

provides tactical customers with a ‘store and forward’ capability when communications 

are not available. 

(3) The Theater Enterprise Wide Logistics System provides an enterprise-level 

solution for the total life cycle management of medical assemblages and Class VIII 

supply chain management. 

(4) The Joint Medical Asset Repository. Joint Medical Asset Repository is a 

web-based data repository that provides worldwide asset visibility for medical materiel. 

c. Communications. MEDLOG is highly dependent upon reliable and timely data 

and voice communications to exchange information among customers, MEDLOG units, 

commercial suppliers, and transportations systems. Theater MEDLOG operates 

primarily a non-secure environment; however, some customers (such as special forces) 

and processes (such as joint movement requests) require access to secure 

communications. A lack of communications connectivity has been frequently cited in 

past ‘lessons learned’ as a major factor when supply chain performance has not met 

customer requirements. MEDLOG planning must address the need for reliable data 

connectivity for MEDLOG customers and organizations, especially during the earliest 

stages of theater operations before theater communications capabilities are fully mature. 

MEDLOG planners must coordinate closely with their J-6 and understand the 

communications plan for the operation. MEDLOG issues that should be considered 

include: 

(1) Medical units’ ability to communicate requirements and receive status. 

(2) Medical units’ ability to communicate with customers as well as supporting 

theater and national-level organizations. 
Medical Logistics Support 

D-17 

(3) MEDLOG units’ ability to share requirements and movements information 

with distribution management organizations, and provide situational awareness to 

logistics and/or C2 systems. 

(4) Information security, to include negotiation of firewalls. 

(5) The requirement and/or use of nonstandard communications capabilities, 

such as satellite communications for medical/MEDLOG support. 

(6) Training, fielding, and in-theater support for hardware and applications. 

6. Medical War Reserve Materiel 

a. War Reserve Materiel Requirements. The DOD programs and maintains war 

reserve materiel in order to achieve flexibility and reduce reaction time for sustainment of 

forces for operations across a spectrum of regional contingencies. CCDRs’ determine 

operational requirements based upon planning scenarios approved in the Defense 

Planning Guidance. The Services, in coordination with DLA, compute war reserve 

requirements necessary to meet DOD approved operational requirements. War reserve 

materiel requirements are programmed and met through five basic strategies: 

(1) Pre-positioned equipment sets are Service-managed packages of unit 

allowances of materiel and equipment that are strategically pre-positioned in order to be 

rapidly available for operational requirements. 

(2) Standing stocks are war reserve materiel stocks pre-positioned in or near a 

theater of operations to last until resupply is established. 

(3) Swing stocks are war reserve materiel stocks positioned ashore or afloat for 

meeting requirements of more than one contingency and/or more than one theater of 

operations. 

(4) Industrial-based contingency programs leverage commercial capacity to 

meet computed requirements with minimum direct DOD investment. 

(5) Inventory-based contingency programs provide national stocks of selected 

medical items. DLA also manages a strategic program to maintain an industrial base 

capability for the production of military-unique medical products for chemical defense. 

b. Service War Reserve Materiel Programs. Each Service computes, programs, 

funds, and manages Service-specific programs to meet planned operational requirements 

for medical materiel. Service programming includes pre-positioned equipment sets and 

war reserve materiel stocks to provide initial operating capability for their operational 

forces. 

(1) United States Army. The USA pre-positioned stock program is comprised 

of 3 major components: pre-positioned brigade and equipment sets; pre-positioned 

operational project stock; and pre-positioned sustainment stock. The USA Pre-positioned 
Appendix D 

D-18 JP 4-02 

Stock Program is stored at strategic land based locations and aboard pre-positioned ships. 

Packages of potency-dated supplies are also provided through vendor managed inventory 

programs to provide full unit operational capability and initial sustainment upon 

activation. 

(2) United States Navy. The EMF Program provides pre-positioned unit sets 

stored at strategic locations, and provides packages of potency-dated supplies through 

contractor programs to provide full operational capability and initial sustainment upon 

activation. 

(3) United States Air Force. Starter and resupply stocks are maintained at US 

and overseas MTFs and other strategic locations. Vendor managed inventory programs 

for selected materiel provides full operational capability upon activation. Deployed 

USAF medical units use expeditionary MEDLOG, a “reachback” system of support, for 

sustainment of early-deployed USAF platforms until the TLAMM becomes fully 

operational. 

(4) United States Marine Corps. The USMC units are supported by the 

maritime pre-positioning ships squadrons. 

c. Commercially Based Contingency Programs. To the extent possible, the DLA 

manages commercially based contingency programs with numerous manufacturers and 

distributors to meet medical war reserve materiel requirements. The DLA commercial 

contingency programs include prime vendor “surge” capabilities, stock rotation contracts, 

corporate exigency contracts, and vendor managed inventories. These programs are 

especially useful in reducing the need to maintain potency-dated materiel in war reserve 

materiel programs and providing flexibility to purchase materiel that more closely 

matches the operational need of a specific mission at the time it is needed. However, 

these programs also increase the need to carefully plan and time the purchase and 

distribution of contingency materiel from commercial sources in order to assure its 

delivery into the theater when and where it is needed. 

d. Implications for MEDLOG Planning. The availability of medical materiel is 

critical to the success of the MEDLOG mission. MEDLOG planners must understand the 

CCDR’s operational requirements and how war reserve materiel programs will be applied 

to meet those requirements. They also must understand the extent to which 

commercially-based contingency programs are being relied upon to provide initial 

operating capability and sustainment, and how that impacts upon the need for strategic 

lift to assure timely delivery. Planning considerations must include: 

(1) Adequate pre-positioned equipment sets and standing war reserve materiel 

stocks to meet operational requirements. 

(2) TPFDD plans to support the execution of the medical plan. 

(3) TPFDD plans to provide sufficient MEDLOG capability to receive, store, 

and begin distribution operations in support of the medical plan. 
Medical Logistics Support 

D-19 

(4) Adequate storage to receive swing stocks or other materiel from 

contingency programs, especially for refrigerated materiel and controlled substances. 

7. Medical Equipment Maintenance Considerations 

a. Role of Medical Maintenance. Medical equipment maintenance and repair is a 

core function of MEDLOG and critical to medical operations. Health care delivery at 

every role of the medical system is highly reliant upon specialized equipment requiring 

service and repair that can only be provided by appropriately trained medical equipment 

technicians. Medical equipment technology is characterized by increasing technological 

sophistication, greater integration with information technology, and rising sensitivity to 

the balanced delivery of electrical power. Efforts by the Services to standardize both 

equipment and medical equipment technician training have increased medical capabilities 

for joint interoperability and support and provided technicians that are exceptionally 

versatile in supporting the technology demands of health support. In addition to the 

maintenance and repair of medical equipment, these demands include the set up and 

distribution of power, the networking of equipment with information systems, the 

production of medical gasses, and the fielding and training of clinical personnel in new 

equipment technology. 

b. Medical Maintenance Capabilities. The effective treatment of injured patients 

cannot tolerate interruption in the availability of essential medical equipment. The cost, 

complexity, and multiplicity of medical equipment items as well as the dispersion of 

medical units in the theater make simple exchange of unserviceable equipment an 

unrealistic basis for maintaining equipment operational availability. MEDLOG planners 

must understand the organic medical equipment technician capabilities of medical units 

and ensure that medical equipment maintenance capabilities at the theater level are 

appropriately scaled to adequately support the medical plan and CONOPS. 

(1) At forward locations, medical equipment repair technician capabilities are 

limited to first response diagnosis, component exchange, and relatively simple repair. 

(2) Theater hospitalization capabilities normally have a medical maintenance 

shop capable of providing unit-level maintenance and repair of organic equipment. 

Limitations may exist with highly specialized systems used in laboratory and diagnostic 

imaging services. 

(3) Theater medical maintenance capabilities are provided by the TLAMM 

and/or operational MEDLOG units employed as part of the theater medical system. 

These organizations have personnel and expertise to provide support to medical units on 

a direct support or area basis, to maintain theater equipment assets for equipment 

exchange, to calibrate highly sophisticated equipment such as anesthesia machines and 

imaging systems, and to manage critical repair parts needed to maintain equipment used 

in the theater. Theater medical maintenance functions include both shop operations and 

the provision of contact teams to support forward units, and manage/coordinate 

contractor support provided by theater or national-level contracting activities. 
Appendix D 

D-20 JP 4-02 

(4) National-level medical maintenance capabilities are provided by the 

Services’ MEDLOG agencies and by DLA Troop Support, all of which have a close, 

habitual working relationship. National capabilities include equipment acquisition and 

integrated logistics support, Service-level maintenance operations (that also support new 

equipment acquisition and fielding), coordination with original equipment manufacturers 

and third party maintenance vendors, and provision of national contracts and/or one-time 

contracts for maintenance and repair services. The MEDLOG agencies also are able to 

project medical equipment maintenance assistance teams into the theater at the request of 

the CCDR. 

c. Under the single integrated MEDLOG manager, the CCDR may direct one 

Service to provide theater medical equipment support to all supported Service 

components, and direct other Services to provide medical equipment technician 

augmentation necessary to accomplish this mission if required. This provides the 

medical commander with a single support organization for all theater MEDLOG as well 

as a single POC for national-level support agencies. While medical equipment 

maintenance is not a responsibility of DLA, the theater-level medical organization that is 

designated as TLAMM normally provides all core MEDLOG functions, to include 

medical equipment maintenance. Therefore, organizations designated as TLAMM will 

normally provide theater-level medical equipment maintenance as well as medical supply 

chain management and other MEDLOG functions directed by the CCDR. 

d. Other Considerations for Medical Equipment Maintenance. The concept of 

support for theater medical equipment maintenance should be scaled to meet medical 

requirements with the smallest possible theater footprint. The single integrated 

MEDLOG manager may be employed to reduce theater redundancy and more efficiently 

synchronize the use of MEDLOG resources, including medical maintenance. Theater 

and national-level capabilities may be employed when possible to provide necessary 

services when and where needed, particularly as the theater matures, distribution 

channels become stable, and force protection allows greater use of contract or other 

national-level support. 

(1) When supporting a single integrated MEDLOG manager mission, the 

TLAMM would provide all medical components with on-site contact repair team support 

for equipment calibration and repairs as well as medical equipment for maintenance 

exchange, critical repair parts stockage, and coordinating contract support when required. 

(2) Many US medical equipment manufacturers have foreign distributors and 

service engineers to support those distributors. Equipment manufacturers’ web sites 

usually list their worldwide service networks. When available, theater contracting 

activities may be able to negotiate as-required service agreements with local or regional 

distributors. 

(3) DLA Troop Support provides national contracts with the original equipment 

manufacturers and third-party vendors for the repair of major medical end items, 

especially for diagnostic imaging modalities. Equipment or components can be returned 

to contractor facilities, or in some cases the contractor may provide a service technician 
Medical Logistics Support 

D-21 

to a site in theater. When a technician is provided, the theater must provide travel 

clearance and ensure that CCDR requirements for predeployment processing and 

individual protection are met. 

8. Threat of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, or Nuclear Weapons 

a. Medical Logistics Considerations. The threat of CBRN weapons against US 

military personnel constitutes a tremendous medical planning challenge. Planned 

medical countermeasures range from the routine management of medical materiel used 

for individual protection to planning responses for events that may produce catastrophic 

numbers of casualties. The level of investment in materiel and other countermeasures for 

anticipated response to a CBRN incident will depend upon the CCDR’s assessment of the 

threat and directives for planning and materiel readiness. MEDLOG considerations may 

include: 

(1) Management of medical biological chemical defense materiel. 

(2) CBRN response sets. 

(3) Disruption of distribution channels. 

(4) Threats to medical units. 

(5) Reconstitution of MEDLOG capabilities. 

(6) Partnership with other USG departments and agencies. 

b. Medical Biological, Chemical Defense Materiel. The MEDLOG plan may have 

to provide theater storage for individual medical biological chemical defense materiel and 

provisions for its rapid distribution. These include military-unique auto-injectors for 

chemical agent antidotes and pre-positioned stocks of antibiotics for various possible 

biological agents. CCDR guidance will specify the conditions for its issue, particularly 

the issue of pyridostigmine bromide tablets and controlled substances (diazepam autoinjectors). Provisions may also have to be made for the issue of medical biological 

chemical defense materiel to contractors, embedded reporters, and other non-DOD 

personnel. 

c. CBRN Response Sets. The medical plan may require theater storage and plans 

for distribution of preconfigured packages of medical materiel developed for CBRN 

response. Information on the composition of CBRN response sets and their availability 

should be coordinated through the TLAMM and the Service MEDLOG agencies. 

d. Disruption of Distribution Channels. CBRN incidents may make targeted 

distribution nodes unusable and destroy medical materiel in storage or in-transit. 

MEDLOG managers must work closely with movement control activities in adjusting the 

flow of medical materiel, and be prepared to use asset and in-transit visibility tools to 

assess the impact on medical assets if distribution nodes are compromised. 
Appendix D 

D-22 JP 4-02 

e. Threats to Medical Units. The deliberate or accidental introduction of chemical 

or biological agents into water sources, foodstuffs, or other supplies used by theater 

hospitals may occur. Medical personnel must be prepared to protect themselves, patients, 

medical equipment, and supplies throughout the operational area. This includes the 

physical security of units stocks of water, food and supplies, stockage or access to 

prepackaged (sealed) foodstuffs and bottled water, and close coordination with managers 

of other supply classes.

f. Reconstitution of MEDLOG Capabilities. CBRN incidents may require the 

reconstitution of medical capabilities. This could involve the release of medical 

equipment items being held by the TLAMM or other MEDLOG units, or the fielding of 

new equipment sets from war reserve materiel or national sources. 

g. Collective Protection. In the event of a CBRN incident, medical personnel must 

be ready to conduct medical operations in a safe and protected environment. Adequate 

collective protection capabilities, able to withstand all types of expected hazards, must be 

available and prepared to operate. 

h. Partnership With Other USG Departments and Agencies. DLA, as the DOD 

executive agent, coordinates with Federal agencies that maintain strategic capabilities for 

a CBRN response. These include the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of 

Health and Human Services, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Strategic assets include the National Strategic Stockpile, which is comprised of caches of 

medical materiel strategically pre-positioned in the US, as well as materiel maintained 

through vendor managed inventory programs. The possible employment of these 

resources to meet urgent DOD requirements, or the employment of DOD personnel to 

assist non-DOD personnel in delivery/distribution in support of a national response to a 

CBRN event, is a new dimension to the range of military operations. MEDLOG planners 

would coordinate materiel management issues through the TLAMM, if the CCDR is 

directed by the President or SecDef to support or obtain support from non-DOD agencies. 

9. Other Medical Logistics Planning Considerations 

a. Foreign Sources of Materiel. The JFS and MEDLOG planner must be aware 

that there are DOD policy limitations that may constrain the use of non-FDA approved 

pharmaceuticals and medical devices. This issue must be addressed whenever the local 

purchase of medical materiel is considered. This may occur when urgent needs cannot be 

met in time by distribution from approved sources or needed materiel is only available 

from foreign sources. An example of materiel only available from foreign sources is 

antivenin for snakebites or stinging animals that only exist in those regions. 

b. Commercial Packaging and Marking. Nearly all Class VIII supplies and 

equipment are commercial, nonstandard products obtained by Service MEDLOG 

organizations through DLA acquisition programs directly from commercial sources. 

These acquisition programs leverage commercial best business practices that impose few 

government-unique requirements on commercial partners in the fulfillment of DOD 

orders. Commercial suppliers use their own methods for product identification and 
Medical Logistics Support 

D-23 

packaging that, in many cases, do not meet all Defense Transportation System 

requirements for the labeling of packages destined for DOD customers. When such 

packages are routed through Defense Transportation System distribution hubs, they 

frequently become frustrated. 

(1) MEDLOG managers should monitor distribution hubs for backlogs of 

frustrated Class VIII shipments and consider assigning a MEDLOG liaison to critical 

hubs to serve as medical freight expediters, if the situation warrants. 

(2) MEDLOG planners should coordinate with the TLAMM to route shipments 

from commercial vendors in the US through designated commercial activities serving as 

a “medical air bridge.” These are prime vendors under contract with DLA acting as 

consolidation points for medical shipments originating from other industry sources. 

These consolidated shipments are then moved with prime vendor shipments to the 

TLAMM for further handling and distribution in theater. 

(3) Commercial suppliers are required to appropriately package and label 

shipments that have special handling requirements due to their fragility, need for 

temperature control, or hazardous properties. Improper marking may pose a risk to DOD 

transportation or logistics personnel, and/or lead to product deterioration in transit. 

Medical logistic managers who receive material not properly packaged or marked should 

submit discrepancy reports through theater channels for corrective action with the 

industry source. 

c. Captured Medical Materiel. Captured medical materiel will not be used for 

treatment of US personnel without specific approval from the CCDR in coordination with 

the command surgeon. After clearance for safety and potential military medical 

intelligence exploitation, captured medical supplies and equipment may be used to treat 

EPWs and detainees, and to provide FHA for indigenous populations. Medical materiel 

is protected by the Geneva Conventions from intentional destruction. 

d. Disposal of Medical Materiel. The collection and disposal of excess and 

unserviceable medical materiel can be a major challenge, especially during the 

retrograde/redeployment portion of an operation. The medical plan must include 

command policy for reporting, handling, and disposition of excess or unserviceable 

medical materiel, to include approved methods for its destruction. 

(1) Serviceable medical materiel can be returned to stock or redistributed by the 

TLAMM or other theater MEDLOG units. 

(2) Serviceable and unserviceable pharmaceuticals may be able to be returned 

through the TLAMM to commercial companies under contract with DLA Troop Support 

that in many cases return funds to DOD as credit. 

(3) Serviceable excess materiel may be made available to HN or NGOs for 

FHA consistent with CCDR policy and direction. 
Appendix D 

D-24 JP 4-02 

(4) The local destruction of excess or unserviceable materiel must comply with 

HN laws and DOD policy. The MEDLOG planner should coordinate with the command 

environmental science officer as well as supporting engineer and contracting officer. 

e. Medical Logistics Support to Contractors. Medical and MEDLOG planners 

must understand the GCC’s responsibility and policy for medical support to contract 

personnel operating in the operational area. This population frequently has health 

requirements that are not typically found in the military forces. Specific issues that 

directly affect MEDLOG support include the provision of prescription refills for chronic 

conditions and the provision of prescription eyewear. 
E-1 

APPENDIX E

BLOOD MANAGEMENT

1. The Armed Services Blood Program

a. Established by the ASD(HA), the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP)

provides transfusion products when required to US forces worldwide. The Secretary of 

the Army, through the Surgeon General, serves as the DOD Executive Agent for the 

Armed Forces Blood Program Office (ASBPO) in accordance with DODD 6000.12, 

Health Services Support. Tri-Service cooperative efforts between the USA, USN, and 

USAF enable blood and blood products to be collected, tested, processed, and shipped to 

military MTFs throughout the world. The planning and execution for the effective 

management of blood and blood products is a continuing, dynamic process requiring a 

coordinated, highly responsive system that extends from the US to the battlefield. The 

various aspects of this coordination are depicted in Figure E-1. 

b. The Armed Services Blood Program Office

(1) The ASBPO is chartered by DOD to coordinate the provision of blood 

products throughout the Services to meet medical requirements during national 

emergencies and overseas military operations. The ASBPO coordinates implementation 

of the ASD(HA) policies and DOD procedures for the ASBP. The ASBPO is under the 

policy guidance of the ASD(HA). 

(2) The ASBP shall adhere to ASD(HA) policies, and meet FDA regulations 

published in the Code of Federal Regulations and follow the procedures of the American 

Association of Blood Banks as established in Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion 

Services (and found in Technical Manual 4-02.70, Navy Medical Publication P-5150, Air 

Force Manual [Instruction] [AFMAN{I}]41-111). The CJCS reviews and provides 

guidance on all matters pertaining to blood support in joint operation planning and 

execution as well as activation of the ASBPO for Contingencies and War. The ASBPO: 

(a) Coordinate the day-to-day activities of the ASBP, in accordance with 

the policies established by the ASD(HA) and the plans, programs, standards, and 

procedures established by DOD, the CJCS, the CCMDs, and the Services. As required, 

serve as the DOD direct liaison for coordination and policy recommendations. 
Appendix E 

E-2 JP 4-02 Legend Joint Blood Donor Center Navy BDC Civilian Army BDC BDC Air Force BDC Combatant Command Supporting Base Theater of Operations Joint Blood Program Office Joint Staff Joint Task Force Area Joint Blood Program Office Armed Services Blood Program Office US Army SBPO US Air Force SBPO US Navy SBPO Armed Services Whole Blood Processing Laboratories Transport to Definitive Care First Responders (unit level) USMC US Navy Ships En route Care Forward Resuscitative Surgery Theater Hospitals Marine Logistics Group (USMC) Allied/ Coalition Hospitals Blood Products Depot Medical Detachment Blood Support Expeditionary Blood Transhipment Center Armed Services Blood Distribution System blood flow reports coordination predispositioned frozen blood BDC blood donor center SBPO Services blood program officer USMC Unites States Marine Corps Figure E-1. Armed Services Blood Distribution System
Blood Management 

E-3 

(b) Serves as a military POC for blood bank matters for other USG and 

civilian agencies having an interest in blood products and related items. That includes, 

but is not limited to, the CCMDs and the following federal agencies:

1. The FDA, Center for Biologics and Research. 

2. The Department of Health and Human Services Office of 

Emergency Preparedness and/or NDMS and the Blood Safety Committee. 

3. The DLA for activation of the contingency blood contracts, blood 

equipment, and supply procurement contracts. 

4. The Defense Medical Material Program Office on the development 

of essential characteristics of equipment, supplies, policies, and procedures associated 

with military blood banks. 

(c) Direct the ASBPO, which shall be staffed by a minimum of three 

officers (Medical Service Corps [Army, Navy] and Biomedical Sciences Corps [Air 

Force]) in the grade of 0-4, or above. One of the officers shall serve as the director and 

the others as deputy directors. All ASBPO members carry out their ASBPO assignments 

as their primary duty. 

(d) Receive and take appropriate action on military requirements for blood 

products that exceed Service resources.

(e) Coordinate the preparation of written guidelines for blood bank policies 

to be used as minimum standards by the Services. 

(f) Coordinate the development of technical aspects of blood research 

programs, conveying requirements through the ASD(HA) to the office for Armed 

Services Biomedical Research Evaluation and Management.

(g) Collate DOD emergency and mobilization blood product requirements, 

and ensure that plans are in place to meet those requirements.

(h) Establish contingency blood product quotas to be maintained at the 

Armed Services Whole Blood Processing Laboratories and assign requirements to the 

military Services to meet those quotas.

(i) In coordination with the CJCS, oversee the operations of the ASBP 

during contingencies. 

(j) Coordinate theater blood program issues with the CCMDs through the 

CJCS. That includes the following: 
Appendix E 

E-4 JP 4-02 

1. OPLAN and contingency plan blood support review, to include 

sourcing of blood requirements. 

2. Pre-positioning of frozen blood products, to meet contingency 

theater blood product requirements. 

3. Direct liaison with partner nation programs.

c. Service Blood Programs. The USA, USN, and USAF operate separate blood 

programs to meet normal peacetime requirements. Services maintain their respective 

FDA licenses for blood establishments. Each Service blood program office has ultimate 

responsibility for ensuring that its blood facilities meet or exceed federal regulations and 

national standards for the blood industry. To meet ASBP contingency requirements, the 

Services direct expansion of their blood donor centers rapidly increase their blood 

collecting capabilities. Additional responsibilities of the Services with regard to the 

ASBP are described in DODD 6000.12, Health Services Support, and DODI 6480.4, 

Armed Services Blood Program Operational Procedures. 

d. Combatant Commands. Each CCMD’s JBPO serves as the Class VIIIB 

manager. The JBPO coordinates blood products requirements of the theater’s capabilities 

with the ASBPO.

(1) Joint Blood Program Office. The JBPO is under the staff supervision of 

the CCMD surgeon. This office is responsible for the joint blood program management 

in the JOA. The organization of the JBPO depends on the overall command mission. 

Personnel are assigned from all Service components, as necessary, to meet the blood 

operational requirements. 

(2) Area Joint Blood Program Office. The CCMD surgeon may direct the 

establishment of one or more AJBPOs to provide regional blood management in the 

theater. The AJBPO may be established upon activation of a JTF as outlined in the 

respective OPLAN or OPORD. The functions of an AJBPO are similar to a JBPO, but in 

a limited geographical area. The AJBPO: 

(a) Coordinates blood requirements and distribution of blood and blood 

products to support all the medical detachments, blood support, and MTFs in the AJBPO

area regardless of Service component. This includes defining the distribution system for 

blood and blood products at all roles from the supporting expeditionary BTC or blood 

support medical detachment (MDBS)/blood supply detachment down to the MTF. 

(b) Evaluates in-theater emergency blood collecting activities, blood 

products depot, expeditionary BTC, MDBS, and MTF transfusion services within the 

operational area to ensure the requirements of the JBPO are supported or addressed in the 

CCMD and/or JTF OPLAN.
Blood Management 

E-5 

2. Blood Support Care Capabilities

a. Blood Distribution System. Blood and blood products (Class VIIIB) are more 

than just another commodity of medical supply. Blood is a living tissue and, as such, 

requires handling by individuals specially trained in blood movement and storage. 

(1) Blood support in a JOA containing actual combat operations is a dynamic 

and ever-evolving process, heavily influenced by: 

(a) Stringent storage and handling requirements. 

(b) Inventory management constraints. 

(c) Limited potency periods. 

(d) Available technology. 

(e) Evolving transportation systems and routes. 

(2) To be successful, blood support must be an organized and cooperative effort 

on the part of MDBS, MEDLOG company, laboratory and blood bank personnel, 

transportation personnel, and primary health care providers.

(3) Theater blood support during wartime is provided to US military facilities 

and, as directed, multinational military and indigenous civilian medical facilities.

(4) Theater blood support may consist of a combination of shipped liquid, 

frozen blood components, or emergency collected whole blood or platelets. The actual 

amount of liquid and frozen blood components is determined by the urgency of need and 

availability of resources within the JOA. (Emergency collection of fresh whole blood in 

theater is a procedure that should only be used as a last resort when no fully tested blood 

products are available.) 

(5) Blood services in a JOA containing actual combat operations consist of a 

combination of operational capabilities. Of importance are the following: 

(a) Receiving blood components from the supporting base. 

(b) Moving, storing, and distributing blood components to primary users.

(c) Storing, processing, and distributing previously frozen blood 

components pre-positioned within the theater.

(d) Emergency collecting of whole blood and apheresis platelets in the 

JOA. (This procedure should be used only as a last resort when no fully tested blood 

products are available.)
Appendix E 

E-6 JP 4-02 

(e) Tracking/maintaining pertinent information for donor/unit testing and 

follow-up requirements and patient transfusion information to include non-FDA 

transfused products. 

(6) The Armed Services Blood Distribution System from the supporting base to

the MTF is depicted in Figure E-1. The JBPO or AJBPO will be responsible for the joint 

blood distribution system within their geographic area. The JBPO works for the CCMD

surgeon. The AJBPO, when formed, establishes blood support for the JTF. The AJBPO

mission is based on a geographic area as well as a specific command. Therefore, AJBPO

shall plan and train for joint operations and shall coordinate with the JBPO for all blood 

operations. CCMD, subunified command, and JTF OPLANs will include projected blood 

requirements developed by the JMPT. These requirements are documented in appendix 2 

(Joint Blood Program) to annex Q, (Medical Services) of OPLANs as prescribed in 

CJCSM 3122.03C, Joint Operation Planning and Execution System, Volume II, Planning 

Formats.

(7) Theater MTFs

(a) Maintain an amount of blood products on hand necessary to meet 

operational requirements, yet minimize waste due to out-dating. Some MTFs have 

limited capability to collect whole blood and apheresis platelets in emergencies. These 

emergency collections result in blood products that are considered non-FDA compliant. 

Non-FDA compliant blood products should only be used as a last resort. When non-FDA 

compliant blood must be transfused, it carries the risk of transmitting infectious diseases. 

To adequately mitigate this risk, proper controls must be applied to ensure every 

emergently collected blood product is retrospectively tested and proper follow-up of the 

blood recipient is accomplished. Patient follow-up also applies to US patients transfused 

in HN healthcare facilities.

1. When emergency blood collections are required, donors will be 

selected from among the following groups, in order: 

a. Donors who have been pre-screened within the last 90 days by a 

Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certified laboratory using all the 

current FDA-required blood donor infectious disease screening tests. 

b. Donors who report being repeat blood donors in the past and 

have not been deferred for a transfusion transmitted disease. (Donation cards may serve 

as evidence of this.) 

c. Donors who have not been pre-screened with FDA licensed 

tests, nor have been a blood donor in the past. 

2. To the maximum extent possible, MTFs and US Navy vessels will 

establish and maintain rosters of pre-screened donors, and repeat the screening at regular 

intervals (not to exceed 90 days). Retrospective testing following an emergency blood 

donation may serve as a pre-screen for a subsequent donation. 
Blood Management 

E-7 

a. All blood donors must be US personnel—military, DOD 

civilians, DOD contractors, or beneficiaries (non theater donation). 

b. All prospective donors will be screened for eligibility on the 

day of donation using ASBP approved donor history screening protocols and 

ASBPO/CCDR approved infectious disease rapid screening test kits. NOTE: Use of 

infectious disease rapid screening test kits is not equivalent to testing with an FDA 

licensed screening test for donor eligibility.

c. Specimen sample tubes will be collected and labeled with a 

unique International Society of Blood Transfusion donor identification number at the 

time of blood donation, and sent to a designated CLIA certified donor testing laboratory 

for retrospective testing. Results of all pre-screening and retrospective testing will be 

provided to the theater JBPO. 

d. Donor collection information will be submitted to the theater 

JBPO within 48 hours of collection. The required information will be determined by the 

theater JBPO but should at minimum include: donor’s full name, unique identifier/Social 

Security number, unique donation identification number, organizational unit assigned, 

date of donation, location of donation, unit disposition (transfused, destroyed), unit 

disposition date, and any testing results (rapid or retrospective) available.

e. All records of emergency blood donation must be maintained in 

accordance with ASBP, Service, and/or GCC policies. 

f. Follow up notification and counseling will be provided to any 

donor who tests positive on either the pre-screen, rapid, or retrospective test panels as 

follows: 

(1) Document, track, and follow-up blood donors with 

positive infectious disease testing results, regardless of whether the unit was transfused. 

(2) The donor will be deferred from subsequent blood 

donations, notified of the test results, and offered counseling. 

(3) A PVNTMED or infectious disease agency will be 

utilized for ensuring all donors have been notified of their retrospective test results and 

the appropriate follow-up is completed (i.e., notification, counseling and treatment 

referrals).

(b) Submit required blood reports to their supporting blood distribution 

unit, as designated by the JBPO or AJBPO. This blood distribution unit may be from any 

Service component. In certain joint operations, such as joint response contingencies, 

MTFs may deploy with blood if a requirement to use blood prior to establishment of the 

resupply chain is anticipated. In this case, the Service-specific service blood program

office should be notified to coordinate the provision of the necessary blood products prior 

to the unit’s deployment. 
Appendix E 

E-8 JP 4-02 

(8) The MDBS is a modular unit that can usually support several MTFs 

depending on the operation, and may include supporting forces afloat. The JBPO

determines the number of MTFs that an MDBS supports. The mission of the MDBS is to 

receive, store, process, and distribute blood products to its supported MTFs, collect whole 

blood and apheresis platelets on an emergency basis, and perform limited testing. An 

MDBS: 

(a) To the maximum extent possible, maintain a 100 percent resupply of 

the blood products based on its supported MTF requirements or as designated by the 

JBPO. Maximum storage capacity is 4,080 RBCs. 

(b) Is deployable with blood products when the operation involves 

immediate conflict.

(c) Is modularly tailored to force packages for contingency operations. 

(d) Can be tasked by the JBPO to manage a blood products depot or 

expeditionary BTC. 

(e) Can provide a consolidated blood report (from its supported MTFs) to 

the AJBPO or JBPO, as required. The commander, MDBS, can serve as the area joint 

blood program officer. 

(9) The blood products depots have been built into some CCMDs to provide 

frozen blood products such as frozen RBCs, FFP, and cryoprecipitate.

(a) Are pre-positioned to offset strategic shortages of blood products during 

the initial stages of an operation until the liquid RBCs units can be shipped into the 

theater.

(b) Provide frozen blood products to ships offshore. 

(c) Have the capabilities to thaw and distribute frozen products as well as 

deglycerolize frozen RBCs.

(d) Issue blood and blood products to MDBS, as directed by the JBPO. 

(e) Act as an MDBS and distribute blood and blood products to MTFs. 

(f) Provide required blood report to their respective AJBPO or JBPO. 

(g) The blood product depot ensures proper maintenance of the frozen 

inventory, rotating products back to the US, as necessary for utilization within medical 

treatment facilities. This helps keep inventories current and helps minimize outdate rates.

(10) CCDRs are responsible for ensuring that blood products depots are 

maintained, manned, equipped, and supplied during peacetime operation. 
Blood Management 

E-9 

(11) The expeditionary BTCs are managed by the USAF at various airfields. 

They receive blood products from the Armed Services whole blood processing 

laboratories, or other expeditionary BTCs, store, re-ice, and distribute the products to 

other expeditionary BTC, MDBSs, or MTFs when required. They provide required blood 

reports to their respective AJBPO or JBPO. The expeditionary BTC may be airlifted to 

designated airports or landing zones to maximize blood distribution and to provide for 

transshipment operations not otherwise available in theater. 

(a) The current configuration of the expeditionary BTC provides a 

maximum storage of 7,200 RBCs. 

(b) The goal of the expeditionary BTC is to maintain 50 percent of the 

established inventories of its supported blood support medical detachments. 

b. Available Blood Products. Figure E-2 provides a summary of the blood 

products now available to the theater. This figure is a guideline only. Products may be 

pushed down to lower care capabilities if the proper staffing and equipment are available 

for storage, transport, and use of the products.

(1) The storage temperature for liquid RBCs is 1 to 6 degrees Celsius. During 

transport from one facility to another, the shipping temperature of liquid RBCs is 1 to 10 

degrees Celsius. 

(2) FFP is stored at -18 degrees Celsius or colder. Once FFP is thawed, it must 

be transfused within 24 hours. When shipping FFP, it must be kept in the frozen state 

using dry ice or a system that can sustain a -18 degrees Celsius temperature or colder. 

FFP can be maintained for up to 5 days as thawed plasma. FFP outdating can be 

modified/extended by in-theater policy (if converted to thawed plasma). FFP stored at -

65 degrees Celsius has a seven-year expiration. 

(3) Platelets are stored at 20-24 degrees Celsius with continuous agitation. The 

temperature during shipment must remain as close to 20-24 degrees Celsius as possible. 

The maximum time that platelets can be stored without agitation is 24 hours.

(4) Cryoprecipitate is stored at -18 degrees Celsius or colder. It has a 12-month 

frozen shelf life, 4 hours post thaw open pooled product, or 6 hours single unit. During 

transport, cryoprecipitate should maintain a frozen state.

(5) Frozen RBCs have a 10-year shelf life when stored frozen at -65 degrees 

Celsius. Once thawed and deglycerolized, shelf life is 14 days when stored refrigerated 

at 1-6 degrees Celsius. 
Appendix E 

E-10 JP 4-02 Blood Bank Products and Procedures by Treatment Role Legend ABO actual blood type EBTC expeditionary blood transshipment center LHA amphibious assault ship LHD amphibious assault ship (multipurpose) MDBS medical detachment blood support MTF medical treatment facility RBC red blood cell Rh Rhesus NOTE: * Not necessary if Armed Services whole blood processing laboratories have verified the ABO group. MDBS, EBTC, or MTF MDBS, EBTC MDBS, EBTC MDBS, EBTC MDBS, EBTC Blood Supplier 50 Units RBCs per medical field refrigerator 480 Units: CSH/FH 90 Units: EMEDS+25 500 Units: LHD/LHA 2000 Units: hospital ships 950 Units: LHA/LHD 2850 Units: hospital ships 20 Units 30 Units minimum Maximum Storage Capacity None ABO group/Rh type on patient N/A N/A N/Aand donor RBCs* Immediate spin crossmatches Transfusion Service Procedures ORh+/- O, A, B Rh+/- ORh+/- O, A, B Rh+/- O, A, B Rh+- ABO Group & Rh Type Red blood cells Red blood cells Frozen/deglycerolized red blood cells Fresh frozen plasma Cryoprecipitate Available Blood Products Treatment Role Forward resuscitative surgery Theater Hospitals Combat support hospital (CSH) Fleet hospital (FH) Expeditionary medical support (EMEDS)+25 Ships Figure E-2. Blood Bank Products and Procedures by Treatment Role
Blood Management 

E-11 

3. Planning for Effective Blood Management 

a. Coordination. Continuous planning for mobilization, combat operations, and 

other contingencies enables the Services to rapidly respond to situations requiring blood 

support. 

(1) A coordinated effort between the theater JBPO, the theater plans/operations 

officer, and transportation officer is required for successful planning. The JBPO must be 

integrated early into the planning process. OPLANs dictate blood management strategy. 

Some issues include: 

(a) Will blood be required immediately upon arrival of the combat units? 

(b) Should blood be brought into the JOA with the initial medical units?

(c) Will there be multinational operations and will the JBPO be responsible 

for blood requirements of multinational forces?

(d) Do the storage capabilities of the expeditionary BTCs, blood support 

medical detachments, and blood products depots support the blood product requirements? 

(e) Will blood products depot capabilities to deglycerolize frozen RBCs 

meet blood requirements prior to shipments of liquid RBCs from the supporting base? 

(f) Are transportation assets readily available for emergency blood product 

distribution?

(g) Where will the main supply routes be?

(h) Where will the strategic and tactical supply and air evacuation routes 

and aerial ports be located?

(i) Where are local sources of wet ice for refrigerated shipments and dry ice 

for frozen shipments of blood? 

(j) What are the logistical shortfalls that will affect blood operations 

(reagents, test kits, consumable supplies, blood boxes)? 

(k) Are theater wide policies and procedures in place for blood support, 

emergency collection SOPs, policies on who can donate blood (US military, NGOs, 

civilians, government contractors)? 

(l) What cultural barriers exist or must be overcome to provide blood 

support in the area of responsibility? 

(m) How will emergency blood collections occur in the theater of 

operations (who are potential donors, how will they be prescreened, are blood types 

known, are staff trained in proper procedures, are collections being reported)? 
Appendix E 

E-12 JP 4-02 

(2) The locations of the expeditionary BTCs are dependent upon the location of 

the air terminals and operational necessity. Depending upon the requirements within the 

CCMD, the expeditionary BTC needs to be able to appropriately manage a varied 

throughput of blood products. Current capacity is 7,200 RBCs per day. The JBPO

and/or AJBPO must provide the expeditionary BTC personnel with their supported blood 

program elements, types, DOD activity address codes, and location of MTFs within the 

operational area in order to allow proper distribution planning. 

(3) Timely communication with the next higher echelon of support usually 

ensures that adequate supplies of blood and blood products are available. 

b. Blood Planning

(1) Product Availability. Liquid RBCs and FFP are available for use. 

Platelets may be available if supporting MTFs possess the necessary apheresis 

equipment. Theater blood policy will dictate availability of products.

(2) Shipping RBCs. Subject to availability, RBCs shipped from the US are 

packed with the unit group and type distributions as determined by the JBPO and 

AJPBO. 

(3) Blood Planning Factors. Blood planning factors are programmed in the 

JMPT to help the JBPO and the CCMD determine the estimated requirements and

subsequently used by the respective CCMD medical planners to generate daily blood 

product requirements for the JOA.

NOTE: Assets to meet anticipated EPW, civilian, and valid partner nation personnel 

workload must be included in the TPFDD as documented in accordance with CJCSM

3122.03C, Joint Operation Planning and Execution System Volume II, Planning Format. 

Additionally, a 5 day safety factor will normally be added to blood requirements in the 

combat zone to take into account line of communication disruption, damage, and intransit spoilage.

(4) Blood Support to Rhesus (Rh) Factor Negative Patients. 80 to 90

percent of all blood supplied to all roles of care will be Rh factor positive. 10 to 20 

percent will be Rh factor negative. This is in keeping with the levels as found in the 

donor population within the US. Rh factor negative RBCs will be provided to both Rh

factor negative female and male patients. In the event that there is not enough Rh factor

negative blood to meet all of the needs, transfusing Rh factor positive RBCs to Rh factor

negative patients becomes an emergency requirement in saving the patient’s life and 

should be thoroughly documented in the patient’s medical record. Rh immune globulin 

should be available and administered to those Rh negative patients that receive Rh

positive blood. 

(5) Pre-Positioned Frozen Blood Products. Frozen RBCs are pre-positioned 

at various locations within the CCMDs. These pre-positioned products are intended as a 

stop gap to ensure blood products are available at the onset of hostilities until the US 
Blood Management 

E-13 

blood system is fully activated and shipping products into theater. To ensure rotation of 

frozen RBC inventory stocks, the use of frozen deglycerolized RBCs must be 

incorporated routinely into available MTF blood inventories. Deglycerolized frozen

RBCs have a 14-day expiration. 

(6) ASBP Office Reaction Time. The reaction time of the AJPBO or other 

supporting JBPO must be considered. Optimally, receipt by the requesting command of 

blood or blood products for sustainment of operations should take approximately 72 

hours depending on flight arrangement. Within some CCMDs, blood products depots 

with pre-positioned frozen blood products have been constructed to provide blood 

products in anticipation to receiving liquid blood products from the US. There are also 

limited blood donor operations outside the US, which will be able to provide products 

prior to receiving them from the US. This is especially important in theaters where the 

command anticipates short notice or no notice of impending combat operations where 

large numbers of casualties can be expected. Most MTFs should plan to keep a 3 day 

supply of blood and blood products on hand based on the requirements. To the maximum 

extent possible, MDBS should have a 100 percent replacement goal. Realistically, a 

planner may expect a 4 to 5 day resupply response time from outside the theater 

dependent upon at least 2 factors:

(a) Availability of air transportation.

(b) Location of the operational needs. 

(7) RBCs Shelf Life. Currently, the health service personnel can expect RBCs 

to be at least 10- to 14-days-old upon receipt. This is due in part to increased FDA

testing requirements on all blood donors. Another factor is the resupply times from the 

US. This will be based upon the current requirements with the JOA. Blood collected in 

CPDA-1 (a citrate, phosphate, dextrose, and adenine-formula 1; an anticoagulant 

preservative solution) and stored at 1 degrees to 6 degrees Celsius expires 35 days after 

collection. Blood collected in additive solutions have an extra 7 days of shelf life for a 

total of 42 days after collection. Extended storage solutions currently in research and 

development will soon allow for even greater storage periods. 

(8) Needs for Intelligence. The best source for operational information is the 

J-3. The J-3 can provide insight to future operations that will require blood planning. 

The J-2 can facilitate the best current intelligence be provided to assist the JBPO. Once 

located in the JOA, it is necessary for the JBPO to maintain current information on the 

combat situation and on the anticipated actions of friendly and adversary forces. The best 

sources of this information are the joint force intelligence officer and the operations 

officer. As required, the JBPO can anticipate increasing requirements for the JOA as a 

whole, or he may reallocate resources within the JOA to support specific operations.

(a) How much blood is in the command? 

(b) Where is it concentrated?

(c) Is the blood where it is most likely needed? 
Appendix E 

E-14 JP 4-02 

(d) How can the blood be cross leveled? 

c. Host-Nation Support

(1) Host-Nation Blood Bank Support. The JBPO should coordinate with the 

J-4 to determine whether existing bilateral and/or multilateral agreements are in place for 

HN blood bank support. Medical intelligence and the AJPBO will provide additional 

information upon which to base a decision on the comparability of HN blood with 

reference to required FDA level of blood testing and the willingness and ability of the 

HN to provide blood bank support. This support could take the form of blood products 

such as platelets, additional refrigerators in local hospitals or hotels, ice-making 

capability, or sources for dry ice to store FFP or frozen RBCs.

(2) Obtaining Alternative Ice Sources. Blood distribution assets and MTFs 

must develop alternative sources for wet and dry ice and refrigeration in case of 

equipment failure. These alternative sources can include other military units in the area 

or HN sources. 

d. Logistical Considerations for Blood Support

(1) After the decision has been made on where to locate the blood distribution 

units and the CONOPS for blood support has been established, plans must be coordinated 

to effect the timely distribution of blood and blood products throughout the JOA. Prior 

planning must be accomplished with the joint movement center to establish procedures 

for the emergency movement of blood. Specific information required when shipping 

blood by air includes weight, whether wet or dry ice is required, number of units, number 

of boxes, and DOD activity address codes of the receiving facility.

(2) After transportation requirements and priorities have been established, 

planning consideration must be given to maintaining adequate levels of emergency blood 

collection and basic testing supplies for the planned operational scenario. If the USA is 

the dominant user, a MEDLOG company could be augmented to perform Class VIIIA 

management functions and if tasked, could assume the role of the SIMLM for the JOA. 

A cell from a USA blood support detachment may be colocated with a MEDLOG 

company to provide blood products to supported medical units. Medical treatment 

facility coordination with the SIMLM is imperative. The SIMLM will have liaison 

officers from supported Services to assist in coordinating logistic support requirements 

during joint or multinational operations. Examples of required supplies include: 

(a) Whole blood collection sets. 

(b) Rapid diagnostic viral screening test kits.

(c) Blood typing system grouping and Rh factor typing antiserum/gel cards.

(d) Test tubes.

(e) Blood shipping boxes and labels. 
Blood Management 

E-15 

(f) Plastic bags.

(g) Adequate supply of wet and dry ice for maintenance of required blood 

temperature during transit.

4. Blood Report 

a. Purpose of Standardized Blood Reporting. The purpose of the standardized 

blood report is to enable the JBPO to effectively manage blood and blood products, 

project blood requirements, request blood, report blood inventories, and provide 

information on the overall blood element operations of all Service components in the 

JOA. The JBPO will establish the report format and reporting frequencies based upon 

operational factors. Examples of blood reports are shown in Figure E-3 and Figure E-4. 

b. Blood Reporting 

(1) Each facility with blood products will submit required blood reports to the 

next higher organization as follows: 

(a) MTF (lowest level with blood) to blood support medical 

detachment/blood products depot. For first responder care capability and forward 

resuscitative care capability units, the JBPO may direct that the report be sent to the 

supporting theater hospitalization capability MTF.

(b) MDBS (to include roll up of all MTF’s), blood products depot, and 

expeditionary BTC to AJBPO, if established, or directly to the JBPO if no AJBPO. 

(c) AJBPO (to include roll up of all lower reporting facilities) to joint 

program office. 

(d) Joint blood program office to ASPBO. 

(2) The time of reporting should be determined by the supported commander, 

but should be a consistent time each day.

(3) The following minimum information is required as part of the blood report: 

(a) Number of blood components by the blood typing system and Rh 

factor. 

(b) Number of RBCs due to expire within next 7 days by the blood typing 

system and Rh factor.

(c) Number and type of components transfused since last report by blood 

typing system and Rh factor. Medical treatment facilities should also include patient 

transfusion data. 

(d) Immediate requirements with required delivery date.
Appendix E 

E-16 JP 4-02 Legend ABO actual blood type EXP expiration FFP fresh frozen plasma FMP family member prefix MTF medical treatment facility Neg negative PLT platelet Pos positive Rh Rhesus factor SSN social security number Blood Report Spreadsheet Example FMP/SSN Nationality Patient’s ABO/Rh Sex Note UNIT # EXP Date Product ABO/Rh Product Type Transfusion Date Patient’s Name O= Date: Number of operational instruments: Number of deglycerolization kits on hand: Total BB A O Quarantined FFP PLT A Pos AB Pos Total Count B Pos Unknown Transfused Units A Neg AB Neg Total O Neg B Neg Total Total Quarantined Total Count < 7 days to exp MTF Red Blood Cells Frozen Red Cells Fresh Frozen Plasma Other

 Figure E-3. Blood Report
Blood Management 

E-17 

(e) Seventy-two hours projected estimated need.

(f) Calculated days of supply as determined by the JBPO. 

(4) The JBPO will establish the blood report format. One method is 

spreadsheet sent via e-mail (see Figure E-3). Another method is message text format sent 

through current military message programs such as the Global Command and Control 

System (see Figure E-4). Secure voice messages may also be used. Additional reporting 

tools utilizing Internet database type programs that may reside on unsecure or secure 

channels. 

(5) The JBPO may assign brevity codes and designate specific lines to be 

utilized in the required reporting.

(6) Requests for RBCs should normally be based on a random distribution of 

blood groups and types (that is, 40 percent O positive; 10 percent O negative; 35 percent 

A positive; 5 percent A negative; 8 percent B positive; and 2 percent B negative). At

Example Blood Report Message Format

*** UNCLASSIFIED ***

PRIORITY

TO RUEAUSA/ASBPO WASHINTON DC

INFO RUEOLIA/ASWBPL MCGUIRE AFB NJ

RULYOGB/RHEVAZZ/CJTF ONE EIGHT ZERO//J4/SURG MAIN/FT BRAGG//

UNCLAS

OPER/UPHOLD DEMOCRACY//

MSGID/BLDREP/CJTF-180 JBPO/BLD/OCT/A//

ASOFDTG/150001OCT94//

REPUNIT/32NDMED BN (LOG) BLDPLT/G/CAMP DEMOCRACY HAITI//

BLDINVT/32NDMED BN (LOG) BLDPLT/G/115JS/31JT/3JU//

BLDREQ/30JQ//

BLDEXP/32NDMED BN (LOG) BLDPLT/G/49JS/24JT//

BLDEST/32NDMED BN (LOG) BLDPLT/G/45JS//

CLOSTEXT/REQUEST 30JQ FOR DELIVERY ON 20OCTOBER AND 

2NOVEMBER. CHANGE

STANDING ORDER TO 45JQ FOR DELIVERY ON 14TH OF EACH MONTH//

*** UNCLASSIFIED ***

Figure E-4. Example Blood Report Message Format
Appendix E 

E-18 JP 4-02 

theater hospitalization and definitive care capabilities, group and type-specific RBCs 

should be transfused whenever possible. First responder and forward resuscitative care 

capabilities will require group O RBCs only. Upon activation, each MTF should request 

a base load of blood components. 

c. Transmission of the Blood Report

(1) Method. The method of blood report transmission will be by means 

designated by the JBPO. The method should be outlined in the appendix 2 (Joint Blood 

Program) to annex Q (Medical Services). 

(2) Frequency. The JBPO will determine the frequency of MTF reporting. 

Key factors in determining frequency include the type and/or level of military operation 

and the rate of blood product transfusions. This should be detailed in the appendix 2 

(Joint Blood Program) to annex Q (Medical Services). 

d. Blood Report Policies

(1) Information copies should be kept to a minimum and be specifically 

required by the respective OPLAN. Increased quantities of information copies overload 

the message channels.

(2) Blood shipment reports are used within the ASBP to report blood shipments. 
F-1 

APPENDIX F

INTELLIGENCE SUPPORT TO JOINT HEALTH SUPPORT 

1. Aspects of Medical Intelligence 

a. Medical planners and providers must consider the entire scope of the threat to 

effective medical support. Intelligence support to health support must address all aspects 

of the threat. Considerations range from the potential impact of enemy combat 

operations on medical personnel, lines of communications, and materiel, to the types of 

weapons (and their consequent health effects) that may be employed against friendly 

forces, as well as other health and environmental threats. Continuous coordination by 

medical planners with the command J-2 is a key element in the effort to maintain 

awareness of the threat. 

b. Medical intelligence is that intelligence produced from the collection, evaluation, 

and analysis of information that includes the medical aspects of foreign areas that have an 

immediate or potential impact on policies, plans, and operations. The NCMI has the sole 

responsibility within the DOD for producing finished intelligence on foreign military and 

civilian medical capabilities, infectious diseases and environmental health risks, and 

scientific and technical developments in biotechnology and biomedical subjects of 

military importance. Medical intelligence data is critical in enabling health support to 

provide the JTF commander with early warning of biological warfare attacks, as well as 

prompt detection and identification of biological attacks or naturally-occurring disease 

outbreaks. Bio-intelligence is closely related to but not a true subset of health 

surveillance. It is the regular or repeated collection, analysis, and interpretation of data 

specifically related to extremely virulent biological organisms or toxins that have the 

potential either naturally or after modification to produce mass casualties either as a local 

area contamination hazard or through highly contagious spread of disease. The data 

includes but is not limited to the identification and characterization of select agents, the 

identification and monitoring of facilities capable of handling select agents, the 

identification and monitoring of personnel capable of researching and/or modifying select 

agents. The purpose of bio-intelligence is to provide assurance that select agents are not 

accidentally released into the environment or transferred to unlicensed facilities or actors 

in order to prevent select agents from being used as a weapon of mass destruction. Biointelligence therefore utilizes both open source health surveillance data and closed source 

intelligence data, the combination of which is useful to both health professionals and law 

enforcement officials. The health surveillance aspect of bio-intelligence is sufficient to 

detect an event of human cases of disease being caused by select agents. 

c. To develop medical intelligence, information is gathered, evaluated, and analyzed 

on the following subjects: 

(1) Endemic and epidemic diseases, public health standards and capabilities, 

and quality and availability of health services. Medical intelligence data concerning 

endemic and epidemic disease rates in the JOA is required to establish a medical 

surveillance baseline. Health support must establish baseline rates of disease and illness 

to detect deviations that warrant a timely investigation to determine if the increase is due 
Appendix F 

F-2 JP 4-02 

to biological warfare agent attacks or naturally occurring disease outbreaks. This is 

accomplished through medical surveillance. 

(2) OEH threats present in the JOA. 

(3) MEDLOG, to include blood products, MTFs, and the number of trained 

MEDLOG personnel. 

(4) The location, specific diseases, strains of bacteria, lice, mushrooms, snakes, 

fungi, spores, and other harmful organisms (toxic flora and fauna). 

(5) Foreign animal and plant diseases, especially those diseases transmissible to 

humans. 

(6) Health problems relating to the use of local food and water supplies. 

(7) Health risks and effects of CBRN agents and recommendations for 

countermeasures. 

(8) The possible casualties that can be produced by newly developed foreign 

weapon systems. 

(9) The health and fitness of the enemy’s force and his use of antidotes and 

immunizations. 

(10) The JOA (such as altitude, extremes of temperature, and difficult terrain 

[swamps, mountains, deserts, or urban]) that in some way may affect the health of the 

command or the conduct of medical operations. 

(11) The detectors and sensors for personnel, environmental, and specimenbased analysis to use scientific biological, chemical and electromagnetic, acoustic, and 

visual technologies to aid in the detection and/or identification of threats. 

(12) The use of informatics. All source/open source data mining, correlation, 

and nodal analyses to identify and tie together events of medical significance. These 

sources include but are not limited to information about industrial products, imports, 

exports, travel and shipping, financial transactions, news, web sites, databases, and 

intelligence reports. It is possible that the informatics’ analysis of industries, transport, 

and sales of precursor or finished products result in a threat posture that may require 

action or countermeasure. 

Medical personnel engaged in the collection of medical intelligence as 

opposed to medical information or similar tasks relating to enemy forces 

should be made aware that this would constitute a combatant role that 

jeopardizes their protected status under the law of war. 
Intelligence Support to Joint Health Support 

F-3 

2. Significance of Medical Intelligence 

a. At the strategic level, the objective of medical intelligence is to contribute to the 

formulation of national and international policy. The policy will be predicated in part on 

foreign military and civilian capabilities of the medical or biological scientific 

community. 

b. At the operational level, the objective of medical intelligence is to develop 

medical strategies that: 

(1) Detect and/or identify the health threat. 

(2) Counter the health threat. 

(3) Are responsive to the unique aspects of a particular theater. 

(4) Enable the commander to conduct his operation. 

(5) Conserve the fighting strength of friendly forces. 

3. Sources of Medical Information 

a. The first place to search for information is in the office of the CCMD surgeon 

with geographic responsibility for the area into which the JTF is being deployed. The 

CCMD surgeon’s PVNTMED officer should be intimately familiar with the region’s 

health threats. If the PVNTMED officer does not have specific information right at 

his/her fingertips, he or she probably has access to a library of applicable health threat 

data, in addition to what is available from NCMI. 

b. NCMI produces a wide range of publications that can assist in developing a 

military intelligence preparation of the operational environment. NCMI publications 

available on the country’s page within the NCMI Web site include: 

(1) Environmental Health Risk Assessment. 

(2) Industrial Facility Health Risk Assessment. 

(3) Health Service Assessment. 

(4) Infectious Disease Risk Assessment. 

(5) Infectious Disease Alerts. 

c. Additionally, NCMI has made available much of its unclassified information 

through the Medical Environmental Disease Intelligence and Countermeasures which can 

be downloaded from the NCMI Web site. The Navy and Marine Corps Public Health 

Center, AFHSC, USA Medical Research and Materiel Command, USAF School of 

Aerospace Medicine, and others can be of tremendous assistance in identifying and 
Appendix F 

F-4 JP 4-02 

analyzing threats in a JOA. This information is also available at the NMCI Web site: 

https://www.intelink.gov/ncmi/index.php. 

d. There are numerous sources of medical information. The Defense Pest 

Management Information Analysis Center of the Armed Forces Pest Management Board 

is one. This organization publishes an excellent series of disease vector ecology profiles 

on many foreign countries and regions of the world. The profiles include information 

regarding disease risks, infectious agents, mode of transmission, geographic and seasonal 

incidence, and prevention and control recommendations. Some of its other publications 

are also available online. A compact disc of operational entomology references is also 

available. 

e. A third publication of value is the quarterly Communicable Disease Report

published by the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. It identifies disease outbreaks 

worldwide. Additionally, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research quickly responds to ad 

hoc queries and provides timely regional medical assessments. 

f. Another military source is the USA Research Institute of Environmental 

Medicine. The USA Research Institute of Environmental Medicine publishes an 

excellent series of “deployment manuals” which address soldier health and performance 

in a wide variety of environments. 

g. Still other sources of medical information are available from agencies external to 

DOD. The Department of State publishes Background Notes, a series of publications on 

selected countries and regions. 

h. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publishes Health Information for 

International Travel, a document often referred to as the “Yellow Handbook,” which 

identifies current vaccination requirements, immunization and prophylaxis 

recommendations, and regional health threats. This information is also accessible online 

at http://www.nc.cdc.gov/travel/. 

i. The World Health Organization publishes Vaccination Certificate Requirements 

and Health Advice for International Travel, a document that is similar to the “Yellow 

Handbook.” The World Health Organization also publishes the Weekly Epidemiological 

Record. 
G-1 

APPENDIX G

CASUALTY PREVENTION 

1. Introduction 

a. FHP provides the conceptual framework for optimizing health readiness and 

protecting military personnel from all health threats associated with military service. 

Casualty prevention seeks to prevent casualties from environmental, occupational, 

operational, nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare threats. 

b. An effective fit and healthy force provides the JFC with forces capable to 

withstand the physical and behavioral rigors associated with combat and other military 

operations. The ability to remain healthy and fit in a deployed setting despite being 

subjected to a multitude of health threats is a force multiplier for commanders. It reduces 

the logistic support tail required to sustain the fighting force by decreasing the need for 

medical care and for replacement personnel. During deployment, the enemy and the 

“total” environment both generate threats to the force. The adversary threat produces 

most combat-related casualties commonly called BIs, while the total environmental threat 

produces DNBI casualties. Disease and nonbattle injuries historically have accounted for 

three-quarters or more of battlefield admissions (69 percent in Vietnam, over 95 percent 

in World War II and Somalia). 

c. Prevention of DNBI casualties requires unwavering command emphasis at every 

level to ensure mission success. Success is dependent on all facets of casualty 

prevention, from ensuring bed nets are provided to the force to environmental and disease 

surveillance programs in the operational area. Although historical data indicates 

contaminated food or water, disease vectors, or climatic conditions pose the greatest risk 

to forces, environmental, industrial, and occupational exposures remain a risk of equal 

importance. 

d. Prevention of casualties is a continuous process conducted during predeployment, 

deployment, and post-deployment phases. Comprehensive, continuous deployment 

health surveillance, including collection, analysis, and recording of objectively 

determined occupational and environmental monitoring data and when possible, actual 

exposure levels, is necessary to identify these non-enemy threats, which can dramatically 

affect the health of deployed personnel. 

2. Deployment Health Surveillance 

a. Deployment health surveillance is the routine, standardized tracking of disease 

and injury incidence in meaningful rates, initial analyses and response at the unit level, 

and data-driven corrective actions taken at all levels. Deployment health surveillance 

requires standardization of methods, rates, data, and communication across Services. 

Effective surveillance relies on collection and recording of health care, personnel, 

environmental, and operations data. Analysis requires data to be accurate and linked to 

appropriate information systems, including daily military personnel location information 
Appendix G 

G-2 JP 4-02 

to enable integration of that data and assignment of exposure to specific personnel. 

Support automation and data collection should begin at the lowest echelon possible. 

b. Deployment health surveillance activities are critical to FHP. These activities 

which include identifying the population at risk; identifying and assessing potential OEH 

hazards, documenting OEH and CBRN risks and exposures; using specific risk 

management countermeasures; monitoring real time health outcomes (medical 

surveillance); and reporting of DNBI and BI rates and other measures during 

deployments in a timely manner. Routine shipboard operations that are not anticipated to 

involve field operations ashore are exempt from deployment health surveillance 

requirements except for recording individual daily deployment location or when the 

potential health risks indicate actions necessary beyond the scope of normal shipboard 

occupational health programs. During all deployments, a process will be in place to 

record the once-daily individual Service member locations and location records will be 

electronically reported to the Defense Manpower Data Center at least weekly. DODI 

6490.03, Deployment Health, and DODD 6490.02, Comprehensive Health Surveillance,

list the mandatory requirements for pre-, during, and post-deployment assessments. 

Commanders are highly encouraged to accomplish deployed health surveillance activities 

for operations, which may fall outside the current deployment definition, including the 

US response. The AFHSC is the central resource for the US Armed Forces to provide 

health surveillance information and epidemiological analysis that impact medical 

readiness. Analytical reports are provided to policy makers, medical planners, and 

researchers to help recognize medical and public health threats in DOD. The AFHSC, 

through the Defense Medical Surveillance System provides DOD with a centralized DOD 

epidemiological capability. No single surveillance system fits every situation. For 

instance, many biological agents also cause disease in animal populations. Depending on 

the route of exposure and degree of susceptibility, illness or death within animal 

populations may precede illness in humans. Depending on the specific scenario, other 

types of surveillance may provide an early indication of potential problems. Examples of 

complementary DOD health surveillance systems, and their parent organizations, include 

medical intelligence (NCMI); sentinel mortality surveillance (Armed Forces Medical 

Examiners System); and laboratory-based surveillance to identify emerging, re-emerging, 

or changing pathogens, such as the DOD Global Influenza Surveillance program (part of 

the Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response System within the Armed 

Forces Health Surveillance Center). For additional information about health surveillance 

in the DOD, both in garrison and deployed settings, the reader is referred to DODD 

6490.02, Comprehensive Health Surveillance, DODI 6490.03, Deployment Health, and 

MCM [Memorandum issued in the name of the CJCS] 0028-07, Procedures for 

Deployment Health Surveillance.

3. Identifying Preventable Threats and Implementing Countermeasures 

a. PVNTMED competencies and training must elicit continuous command interest 

to ensure support for deployment operations. CCDRs should ensure PVNTMED supplies 

and equipment are provided and maintained to support implementation of their 

prevention responsibilities. Additionally, they should maximize the use of joint training 

to exploit existing tri-service environmental health, occupational health, and PVNTMED 
 Casualty Prevention 

G-3 

expertise. DD 6055.05-M, Occupational Medical Examinations and Surveillance 

Manual, provides health professionals information and references for use in developing, 

performing, interpreting, and conducting occupational medical examinations and 

surveillance for Service members as well as DOD civilians. 

b. PVNTMED training should become an integral part of predeployment 

preparations. Wide dissemination of any PVNTMED knowledge gained during 

deployment will prove invaluable in sustaining the health of the force and in preparing 

for future deployments. Creation of a universally accessible repository of DNBI data will 

enable access to valuable lessons learned, which must be considered for future 

deployments. These data should be used to develop models and scenarios for various 

deployments to identify and assess the preventable threats during predeployment 

planning and to use in exercise play. 

c. PVNTMED units need three kinds of equipment: automated information support 

systems, equipment designed for rapid detection and on-the-spot evaluation of 

environmental and biologic threats, equipment designed to collect and measure biological 

vector activities, and personal protective equipment and transportation. Access to 

essential deployable computer systems with environmental exposure data, unit locations, 

and movement information is critical. 

d. PVNTMED teams should be highly mobile, light, rugged, and have easy to use, 

and whenever possible direct reading sampling and analysis equipment to maximize the 

ability of PVNTMED teams to do accurate and timely baseline, routine, and incidentspecific OEH sampling. The teams will also continue to collect samples of potentially 

hazardous materials for any laboratory analysis and threat assessment that must be 

provided by joint theater health surveillance laboratories deployed to the operating 

theater. DOD also needs an integrated health management system to capture and 

maintain required health, environmental, and biological information to support 

PVNTMED operations during deployment. 

e. All required medical equipment and supplies (mosquito bed netting and poles, 

permethrin treated-uniforms, and so on) to support FHP must be issued or made available 

in theater for all deploying personnel. 

f. All required individually issued medical defense materiel to support FHP must be 

issued and documented in the individual’s medical record. 

4. Infectious Disease Prevention 

a. Infectious disease threats, based upon current medical intelligence, must be 

identified during predeployment. The NCMI can provide medical environmental disease 

intelligence and countermeasures, health services assessments, infectious disease risk 

assessments, and other medical intelligence products during predeployment to assist in 

planning for proper medical countermeasures and health care support (including 

personnel). Diseases such as acute respiratory infection and diarrheal diseases are of 

great concern, particularly when many troops are brought together in staging areas. It is 
Appendix G 

G-4 JP 4-02 

important to monitor health to gauge the predeployment health status of units and to 

identify preexisting (base-line) health characteristics of individuals. Unit health status is 

a measure of unit readiness. The identification of preexisting health characteristics 

ensures that individuals who should be classified non-deployable are identified before

deployment. Infectious diseases should be prioritized and monitored according to the 

threat each poses to the fighting force and the achievement of the force’s mission. 

Countermeasures should be employed according to this established risk management 

process. Communicable diseases particularly those that cause epidemics or pandemics 

can present disease management difficulties. Often theater commanders are focused on 

diseases within a theater when diseases introduced from outside the theater may pose a 

threat to the health of the force. Experience with the influenza H1N1 outbreak in 2009 

indicated that reception, staging, onward movement, and integration facilities were 

unaware of the precautions taken by stateside units to ensure personnel traveling into 

theater were free from infection. Theater PVNTMED personnel must coordinate with 

public health emergency officers (PHEO) at ports of embarkation to prevent further 

spread of disease within theater. Training facilities should confer with installation 

PHEOs and theater PVNTMED personnel to ensure infection is not transmitted from the 

training facility to theater units. 

b. During deployment, vigilant monitoring of medical diagnoses, and of DNBI 

reporting categories and rates (such as, sick calls, outpatient treatment, and hospital 

admissions) as well as surveillance of disease carrying vectors and existing local 

pathogens is required for effective planning and refinement of countermeasures to 

infectious disease. Furthermore, development of enhanced DNBI predictive models 

based on historical data, type of deployment, location of deployment, duration of 

deployment, and level of support are highly recommended. 

c. Throughout the deployment life cycle, potential and emerging infectious diseases 

need to be addressed in a timely manner. Appropriate infectious disease countermeasures 

must be implemented, particularly in the following areas: 

(1) Food and water vulnerability. 

(2) Waste management and disposal. 

(3) Advanced surveillance of endemic zoonotic and foreign animal disease. 

(4) Control of disease carrying vectors, including feral animals. 

(5) Personal protection measures (such as, immunizations, chemoprophylaxis, 

insect repellents, and uniforms impregnated with preventive compounds). Infectious 

disease resulting from deployment may not be immediately apparent upon an individual’s 

return, and previously deployed individuals may develop chronic conditions years after 

return. Returning military personnel require post-deployment health debriefings, post 

deployment health assessments, serum collections, and when indicated, referral for 

clinical evaluations to screen for infectious diseases and other development related health 

conditions acquired during deployment. Members returning from deployment are 
 Casualty Prevention 

G-5 

required to complete a post-deployment reassessment survey. The post-deployment 

surveys serve as a tool to evaluate the member for any infectious diseases, injuries, and 

other medical conditions obtained during deployment. 

(6) Contagious diseases can be a threat to forces. As an FHP measure, isolation 

and quarantine may be useful in preventing disease from being directly introduced into 

theater or to delay the spread of disease within a theater. Isolation is for ill persons and 

lasts the duration of communicability of the disease. Quarantine is generally applied to 

individuals who have been exposed to a disease but are not symptomatic. Quarantine 

lasts as long as necessary to ensure the individuals are not infectious to others. 

Restriction of movement can be used to protect a group of unexposed people from 

interacting with contagious or potentially contagious individuals. Restriction of 

movement may be useful in ensuring key capabilities are maintained during outbreaks. 

Isolation and quarantine are legal actions. Legal advice should be sought when 

considering isolation and quarantine measures. Further guidance can be found in DODI 

6200.03, Public Health Emergency Management within Department of Defense, which 

implements the federal human quarantine regulations. 

d. When directed, all military personnel returning from theater will participate in 

necessary diagnostic/vaccination/chemoprophylaxis programs to minimize the threat and 

extent of post-deployment illness. All therapies will be posted to the individual’s 

treatment record and to the greatest extent possible to their electronic prescription profile. 

5. Behavioral Health Casualty Prevention 

a. Behavioral health problems and appropriate medical intervention throughout all 

phases of deployment are critical to mission success. Individuals identified at high risk 

for developing behavioral health problems are often associated with dual-military 

personnel families, use of psychoactive medications, frequent disciplinary problems, and 

domestic problems. Units at high risk include those anticipating a highly intense combat 

mission; a CBRN warfare threat; a long deployment; and units with poor morale and unit 

cohesion including units that have recently had a change in command. Several factors 

may signal a developing behavioral health problem. Four key indicators are increased 

use of health services, use of medication, disciplinary problems, and increased absences. 

b. Behavioral health intervention may be critical to mission success. Preventive 

interventions for individuals and units include: 

(1) Voluntary and command-referred counseling. 

(2) Family support services. 

(3) Support from family and friends through available media. 

(4) Activation of an existing spouse support network. 

(5) Personnel input into rest and recuperation policies and schedules. 
Appendix G 

G-6 JP 4-02 

(6) Critical incident stress debriefings. 

c. Historically, post-deployment behavioral health interventions for personnel 

returning from theater have remained a low priority. To change this, the stigma of 

behavioral health interventions must be minimized. Educational briefings aimed at 

mitigating the stress and anxieties that often follow a unit’s return from theater are 

suggested. Those briefings may address personal finances, combat stress prevention, 

repatriation issues, general behavioral health issues (such as, stress indicators and stress 

reduction), rest and recuperation suggestions, and positive information regarding the 

accomplishment of mission objectives. 

6. Health Risk Communication 

Effective health risk communication is essential to casualty prevention including 

threat identification, predeployment health debriefings, and any medical follow-up 

indicated. All significant risks must be clearly and accurately communicated to 

deploying military personnel and to the chain of command. Command emphasis is an 

integral part of injury prevention. Commanders should receive feedback throughout the 

deployment life cycle from PVNTMED and veterinary staff regarding preventable threats 

and countermeasures. Medical staff should ensure that the range of preventable threats is 

prioritized and commanders are made aware of the risks that could affect operations. 

Medical personnel should be given all available information to enable them to deliver 

high quality care to individuals during deployment and upon their return from theater. It 

is essential that DOD, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and civilian health care 

providers be alerted to possible diseases that may have been contracted by deployed 

personnel. Candid information concerning actual and probable DNBIs resulting from a 

deployment should be provided to all appropriate individuals. 

For additional guidance, see DODI 6200.03, Public Health Emergency Management 

within the DOD. 
H-1 

APPENDIX H

PATIENT AREA RECEPTION

1. Purpose 

The purpose of this appendix is to provide guidance for military health forces in 

homeland defense/defense support to civil authorities missions for the assistance to the 

Federal Coordinating Center in developing patient reception SOPs and maintaining the 

support of hospitals and area agencies for the assigned patient reception areas plan. 

2. Responsibilities

The Federal Coordinating Center Director is responsible for ensuring the 

development, exercise, and evaluation of local patient reception area plans. The Federal 

Coordinating Center Area Coordinator assists the Federal Coordinating Center Director, 

ensuring that a patient reception team is developed for each patient reception area and 

that each patient reception team remains viable through training and exercises. The 

Federal Coordinating Center Coordinator maintains contact with appropriate authorities 

in each patient reception area, and includes contact information in each patient reception 

area plan. The Federal Coordinating Center Coordinator notifies all agencies involved as 

soon as activation of the Federal Coordinating Center geographical area of responsibility

is anticipated.

3. Plan Development

The development of local plans is critical if the NDMS is to be a viable national 

system to support the local communities. The key to success is the thoroughness and 

effectiveness of local level planning. Each local community in which the NDMS is 

organized is unique. The degree of sophistication of current community 

contingency/disaster planning and the availability of local resources that can be 

incorporated into the patient reception area plan will vary among communities. Each 

patient reception area plan must be tailored to its community; thus local planning cannot 

be accomplished without the support, involvement, and coordination of the local areas 

medical community. Most communities have an airport disaster plan or a similar 

MASCAL incident plan. In many instances, this can be used as a basis for the patient 

reception area plan. In fact, it is advisable that the patient reception area plan be based on 

existing plans where possible. In few circumstances is it envisioned that a patient 

reception area plan would have to be developed from the ground up. At a minimum, the 

same people and organizations that developed existing emergency response plans should 

help develop and manage the patient reception area plan. Each patient reception area

plan should address the following areas: 

a. CONOPS

(1) Provide a concise mission statement.

(2) Define the geographic patient reception operational area. 
Appendix H 

H-2 JP 4-02 

(3) Briefly define the roles and responsibilities of principle agencies, teams, and 

individuals. 

(4) Identify any applicable references, including the National Response 

Framework as well as any applicable state and local disaster plans.

(5) Identify applicable state and local governmental and nongovernmental 

bodies, including local emergency medical system agencies. 

(6) Identify primary and alternate airfields, rail and bus terminals, or other local 

identified patient reception sites.

(7) Identify local resources for transporting patients.

(8) Identify local resources for definitive medical treatment.

b. Patient Reception Plan Activation

(1) Define the processes for NDMS activation of the local patient reception 

area. 

(2) Define the local processes for alerting and augmenting the Federal 

Coordinating Center staff.

(3) Define the processing and provide a checklist for notifying local agencies of 

activation.

c. Federal Coordinating Center Operations

(1) Define Federal Coordinating Center staff roles, responsibilities, and shift 

schedules.

(2) Define Federal Coordinating Center internal communications, logs, reports, 

and so on. 

(3) Define control of access to the Federal Coordinating Center. 

d. Bed Availability Reporting

(1) Provide definitions of terms, including a list of medical categories. 

(2) Define the processes for collecting at the local level initial and recurring bed 

reports, including “throughput.” 

e. Medical Regulating and Patient Evacuation to the Patient Reception Area

(1) Define the role of the DOD GPMRC. 
Patient Area Reception

H-3 

(2) Define the processes and procedures for coordinating patient missions 

between GPMRC and the Federal Coordinating Center area of operations. 

f. Patient Reception and Staging

(1) Describing the local patient reception site(s). Patients arriving from distant 

disaster sites or from military contingencies will generally be received at a single 

reception site in the patient reception area (such as an airfield, rail, or bus terminal). The 

site should facilitate the off-loading of patients, the immediate evaluation and triage of 

patients, and the staging of litter and ambulatory patients prior to transport to local 

medical facilities. Close coordination is required with DOD, civil airport authorities, 

emergency medical services providers, city emergency planners, and other agencies and 

organizations as appropriate to ensure access to the site, adequate staffing, security, 

environmental control (heat, water, light), provision of food and drink, and 

communications. 

(2) Define the roles and responsibilities of a patient reception team. The patient 

reception team is a multifunction group and consists mainly of clinical staff, but should 

also include appropriate support from medical administration and communications 

personnel, logistics personnel, and people acting as litter bearers and drivers. The team 

leader can be a physician or other person with appropriate medical expertise. This team 

can be based out of a federal facility (Department of Veterans Administration or DOD) or 

comprised of volunteers from community organizations. Disaster medical assistance 

team staffs make exceptional patient reception team members if they are available to the 

Federal Coordinating Center. Local emergency medical services volunteers who perform 

dispatch and ambulance transportation can also be helpful. 

g. Transportation

(1) Define resources, procedures, and contact information to obtain vehicles, 

drivers, and other personnel to transport patients from the reception site(s) to local 

NDMS member hospitals. It is important that all vehicles be assessed for their patient 

carrying capability, inventoried, and tabulated in the patient transportation plan. 

Additionally, coordinate in advance with the authorities providing the vehicles and 

personnel for transportation. Military vehicles that are scheduled to move to an overseas 

theater of operations early in mobilization, or are committed to a potential military 

mobilization effort, should not be included as patient transportation assets during military 

contingencies. Resources might include:

(a) Ambulances, other vehicles, and personnel from local emergency 

medical services. 

(b) Military, Department of Veterans Affairs, and/or local hospital 

ambulances and ambulance buses.

(c) Commercial, governmental, or other vehicles available that are 

wheelchair accessible or otherwise configured to accommodate litter patients.
Appendix H 

H-4 JP 4-02 

(d) Other commercial vehicles (such as airport limousines or buses). 

(e) Military and other governmental general use trucks, vans, school buses, 

and so on. 

(2) Define the roles, processes, and procedures for managing and tracking the 

use of local transport resources.

(3) Identify primary and alternate routes from the patient reception site(s) to 

local medical facilities. Ensure advance coordination with local law enforcement 

agencies is made in the event that traffic control and additional security are needed.

h. Patient Administration

(1) Define the roles and responsibilities of the Federal Coordinating Center 

Area Coordinator. The Federal Coordinating Center Area Coordinator assumes 

administrative responsibility for patients. This responsibility begins upon a patient’s 

arrival and continues until the patient is transferred to a gaining facility and/or returned 

home or, in the case of military patients, returned to the responsible Military Personnel 

System for processing and assignment to a military unit or discharge from active duty, as 

appropriate.

(2) Define the roles and responsibilities of the GPMRC liaisons, if available, 

and military patient administration team, if available.

(3) Identify current contact information for each participating National Defense 

Medical System hospital. 

(4) Define the roles and responsibilities of each participating National Defense 

Medical System hospital. The medical staff of that hospital will accomplish the patients’ 

day-to-day medical management and care. The hospital will provide medical care using 

internal procedures and forms. The National Defense Medical System member hospitals 

should provide information to the Federal Coordinating Center Coordinator, to include a 

daily admission and disposition list (indicating the expected length of stay) and a 

narrative summary upon discharge of the patient. 

(5) Define the roles, processes, and procedures for tracking patients in the 

patient reception area. Ensure that the following information is included in the tracking 

system adopted by the Federal Coordinating Center: 

(a) Patient name.

(b) Social security or other identification number. 

(c) Medical regulating/diagnostic category.

(d) Type of patient (such as, directly injured/victimized by disaster or 

relocated/displaced by the disaster).
Patient Area Reception

H-5 

(e) Home address (if available).

(f) Next of kin, address, and telephone number (if available). 

(g) Admitting hospital, admission date, address, POC, and telephone 

number for inpatients. 

(h) Local domicile (such as hotel or shelter), address, POC, and telephone 

number for outpatients. 

(6) Define policies and procedures for disposition of records. The Federal 

Coordinating Center Area Coordinator generally retains patient data for the minimum 

period required by statutory law, but never less than one year after the last patient has 

been returned home. The Federal Director Center Director will submit records to a 

central repository. All appropriate patient confidentiality procedures, including 

protection of social security numbers, must be followed. 

i. Patient Discharge and Return

(1) Define roles and responsibilities for individual patient discharge planning. 

(2) Define the processes and procedures for transporting patients who require 

continuing medical treatment.

(3) Define the processes and procedures for transporting patients who do not 

require continuing medical treatment.

j. Financial Claims Processing

(1) Define basic procedures for data collection, claims processing, and 

reimbursement.

(2) Define roles and responsibilities of the Federal Coordinating Center

Coordinator and National Defense Medical System participating hospitals.

k. Training and Exercises

(1) Identify the requirements and objectives for annual training of individuals. 

(2) Identify the requirements and objectives for annual training of teams.

(3) Identify the requirements and objectives of annual comprehensive patient 

reception area exercises.

l. Public Relations and Media Information

(1) Identify local media resources.
Appendix H 

H-6 JP 4-02 

(2) Define rules, limitations, and processes for preparing information for 

release. 

(3) Identify local agencies and individuals authorized to release information. 

m. Communications

(1) Identify primary and alternate means of communication and provide a 

detailed contact list for the following:

(a) The Federal Coordinating Center. 

(b) Appropriate HQ elements or agencies.

(c) GPMRC. 

(d) Local authorities and agencies.

(e) Patient reception site authorities.

(f) Patient reception teams.

(g) Patient transport agencies. 

(h) All local participating NDMS hospitals. 

(i) Others as required.

(2) Provide an inventory of primary and alternate communications equipment 

and supplies. 
J-1 

APPENDIX J

MEDICAL ASPECTS OF REINTEGRATION 

1. General 

The purpose of this appendix is to describe medical processing of recovered isolated 

United States military, DOD civilian, and DOD contractor personnel who have been 

POWs, were held hostage by terrorists, were detained in peacetime by a hostile foreign 

government, were evading enemy capture, or were otherwise missing. The medical 

objective within reintegration is to provide returnees with appropriate and complete 

medical evaluation and treatment, to establish a detailed medical record for future 

reference, to maintain or restore dignity, and to facilitate readjustment to society. JP 3-

50, Personnel Recovery, refers to reintegration as one of the five execution tasks of 

personnel recovery: report, locate, support, recover, and reintegrate. 

a. Reintegration is a critical, straightforward task that allows DOD to gather 

necessary tactical and survival, evasion, resistance, and escape (SERE) information while 

protecting the health and well-being of returned isolated personnel. Qualified SERE and 

intelligence debriefers that gather information from recovered isolated personnel, SERE 

psychologists who assist the recovered isolated personnel to decompress and reintegrate 

to their unit, family, and society, and qualified medical personnel that care for the 

physical well being of returned isolated personnel are key to the successful 

accomplishment this task. 

b. The CCDRs personnel recovery directive, the OPLAN/OPORD, and personnel 

recovery CONOPS should specify the required personnel recovery debriefing and 

reintegration teams and their composition and responsibilities. The joint force 

commander’s reintegration team chief will be responsible for the promulgation, 

execution, and oversight of the reintegration plan. The scope and complexity of the 

process will vary depending on the isolating circumstances of the recovered isolated 

personnel (e.g., survivors and evaders may require less debriefing and psychological 

attention than captives, detainees, and POWs) and their physical and behavioral 

condition. Medical stability and gathering time-sensitive information are top priorities of 

the reintegration process. Medical personnel must have an understanding of the 

operational needs of the debriefing and reintegration process so they can help and not 

hinder this important process. 

2. The Reintegration Process 

Reintegration is a process that consists of five essential steps. Medical and 

psychological personnel are responsible for three of those steps. The medical community 

must remember that reintegration is an operational mission. The medical community 

supports this mission by assuring the health and well-being of the returned isolated 

individuals. 
Appendix J 

J-2 JP 4-02 

a. Medical Stabilization. Returning isolated individuals should receive a 

comprehensive medical examination and any medical treatment necessary to stabilize the 

returnee should be conducted. 

b. Tactical Intelligence Debriefing. Tactical debriefs are designed to obtain 

specific time-sensitive information that has the potential of saving lives in the on-going 

operational environment. Information such as the location of other isolated individuals or 

position and strength of enemy forces can have significant impact if the information can 

be gathered and distributed in a timely manner. 

c. Medical Treatment. After the tactical debriefing is completed, necessary 

medical treatment becomes the number one priority. In-depth debriefing may continue, 

but medical treatment takes precedence. 

d. SERE Debriefing. The SERE debriefings are designed to obtain specific 

information regarding the experience of recovered isolated personnel. Intelligence and 

SERE debriefs may run separately or concurrently as dictated by mission circumstances, 

but must be coordinated with one another and deconflicted with ongoing medical 

treatment needs. 

e. Reintegrate. Reintegration begins at the moment the recovered individual enters 

US control and continues until a final disposition of duty status. This task is primarily 

focused on the decompression of the recovered isolated personnel and is monitored or 

conducted by a SERE psychologist certified by the Joint Personnel Recovery Agency. 

Decompression is a critical element that can prevent psychological damage to the 

recovered isolated personnel and the loss of accuracy in recalling critical intelligence and 

operational information. The SERE psychologist: 

(1) Provides an explanation of the debriefing and reintegration procedures to 

include the behavioral assessment. 

(2) Conducts a behavioral assessment and addresses critical elements of 

capture, detention/captivity, long-term evasion, and liberation in terms of their impact on 

the adjustment of recovered isolated personnel. 

(3) Monitors all aspects of and helps coordinate the debriefing and reintegration 

task, to ensure the health and stamina of recovered isolated personnel are maintained. 

(4) Provides the behavioral assessment of the recovered isolated personnel to 

the reintegration team leader who makes the recommendation on disposition (such as, 

return to duty or continue to next phase) to the component commander. 

3. Debriefing and Reintegration Phases 

a. Phases. Reintegration is normally conducted in three phases, the first two are 

directed by the CCDR in coordination with the Services, and the final phase is conducted 

by the Services in the US. Phase I encompasses the process of transporting the recovered 

isolated person to a safe area to conduct initial debriefing and reintegration. Phase I will 
 Medical Aspects of Reintegration 

J-3 

end with the recovered isolated personnel being returned to duty or recommended for 

Phase II. Phase II encompasses the transition from Phase I to a theater treatment and 

processing facility and further SERE and intelligence debriefings and/or decompression 

treatment. Phase II will end with the recovered isolated personnel being released to duty 

or recommended for Phase III. 

(1) Phase I is a component responsibility and managed by the personnel 

recovery coordination cell. All isolated personnel must undergo Phase I. Based on the 

debrief and reintegration team chief’s recommendation and theater guidance, the 

component commander should have the authority to return isolated personnel to their 

DOD duties or transfer them to the next phase. Phase I can begin as soon as the 

recovered isolated personnel are in the care of the component’s debriefing and integration 

team and must be accomplished as soon as possible. The reintegration team chief will 

determine the most appropriate place and means to accomplish Phase I. Based on the 

CCDR’s guidance and component requirements Phase I will normally consist of: 

(a) Immediate medical attention. 

(b) An intelligence debrief to collect any appropriate tactical/perishable 

intelligence and/or any appropriate isolated personnel identification and status 

information. 

(c) Information debriefs necessary to collect perishable SERE information 

and determine whether recovered isolated personnel can be returned to duty or require 

additional time for decompression and medical treatment. 

(d) The component reintegration team chief recommends the disposition of 

the recovered isolated personnel to the component. This should be done after 

consultation with medical authorities and the SERE psychologist. 

(2) Phase II will be conducted at the theater designated facility (this is usually a 

regional MTF) where the recovered isolated personnel will receive more structured SERE 

and intelligence debriefings, medical attention, and the decompression process will begin 

in earnest. Phase II should be managed and executed by the CCDR’s designated 

reintegration team. The reintegration team should have Service component 

representation to keep component commanders informed on the status of their recovered 

isolated personnel. 

(a) The reintegration team chief will ensure coordination with other 

members of the CCDR’s staff who are involved in the administrative processing of the 

recovered isolated personnel or require proprietary debriefings (or they may be part of the 

team). The reintegration team chief will be charged with prioritizing and monitoring, in 

coordination with the SERE psychologist and medical authorities, all debrief and 

reintegration processes to prevent confusing the recovered isolated personnel or 

damaging their behavioral health. 

(b) An inherent and critical part of the reintegration process are the 

decompression protocols. The long-term successful reintegration of recovered isolated 
Appendix J 

J-4 JP 4-02 

personnel into military and social/civil environments is directly affected by proper 

decompression. Protocols have been established to maximize the benefit of 

decompression and, at the very least under “normal” conditions, require a minimum of 72 

hours to be effective. Deviating from established protocols can have a severe impact and, 

under certain circumstances, create permanent psychological trauma to the recovered 

isolated personnel. From past isolating incidents, this trauma has manifested itself in 

recovered isolated personnel separating themselves from military Service, having 

dysfunctional family relationships, and, in severe cases, committing suicide. 

(c) Phase II is where reintegration with family members may begin initially 

with contact by telephone. Rarely is there any benefit for family members to travel to 

Phase II locations. In fact, until the decompression/debriefing is complete, the primary 

concern of recovered isolated personnel is the objective assessment of how they 

conducted themselves while isolated—they have a need to know the answer to “did I 

conduct myself well and with honor?” 

(d) The reintegration team chief determines the completion of Phase II and 

recommends the disposition of the recovered isolated personnel to the respective 

component commander or CCDR. The decision is made to either return the recovered 

isolated personnel to their DOD duties or transfer them into Phase III where they will 

come under the control of their respective Service in the US. 

(3) Phase III. Phase III begins with the transition of the recovered isolated 

personnel to a Service-designated US location. A designated personal escort, physician, 

chaplain, DOD public affairs officer, and SERE psychologist normally will accompany 

the recovered isolated personnel. Phase III does not have a prescribed time limit and 

depends on the coordinated needs of the Service, SERE and intelligence debriefers, 

medical needs, and the SERE psychologist. 

b. Process Flexibility. Though conducted by phase, the critical tasks within each 

phase are not necessarily conducted sequentially or on a rigid time schedule. Latitude 

and flexibility remain with the component commander to accomplish reintegration within 

the context of ongoing military operations. 

For more information on debriefing and reintegration see JP 3-50, Personnel Recovery.

4. Challenges During Reintegration 

The greatest challenge during reintegration is when well-intended actions are 

implemented without understanding their full ramifications. These actions may impact 

the reintegration of recovered isolated personnel into a healthy family, social, and 

professional life. The following are some examples of common mistakes that have 

negatively impacted the reintegration process: 

a. Overwhelming the Recovered Isolated Personnel with a Show of Support. 

Regardless of how well they performed during isolation, all recovered isolated personnel 

are in a mild state of shock when they return and need time to regroup. Parades, bands, 

media events, ceremonies, and celebrations have their place but not during the early 
 Medical Aspects of Reintegration 

J-5 

stages of reintegration. These types of activities serve to increase the state of shock and 

usually end up overwhelming them and complicating the reintegration process. 

b. Awarding Medals Too Early. Expediting medal processing is not recommended 

as it takes time for recovered isolated personnel to work through the intensity of their 

emotional reactions to the isolating event. Medals that are given while recovered isolated 

personnel are still struggling with these intense emotional reactions complicate the 

reintegration process and in many cases isolate/alienate them from unit members. 

c. VIP and Command Presentations/Visits. Attempts to honor recovered isolated 

personnel with high level visits serve necessary political purposes but are not in their best 

interest if conducted during the early stages of reintegration. They will remember these 

events as positive if they are conducted at the proper time and in accordance with the 

wishes of the recovered isolated personnel. Brief telephone calls may be appropriate 

during Phase II if coordinated with the reintegration team. 

d. Transporting Families to Phase I and Phase II Locations. Families are an 

essential part of reintegration. Introducing families too early not only complicates the 

reintegration process but often is harmful to long-term family relationships. Recovered 

isolated personnel try to protect families from the horrors of their ordeal while family 

members tend to overwhelm recovered isolated personnel and do not allow them time to 

decompress. Family reunions are more appropriate when the reintegration process is 

nearing completion or when recovered isolated personnel return to the US. 

5. Follow-Up 

SERE psychologists should follow-up with recovered isolated personnel, as needed, 

for at least one year. All former isolated personnel are eligible for follow-up medical and 

psychological services at the Robert Mitchell Center for Repatriated Prisoner of War 

Studies. Intelligence organizations may require follow-up contact with recovered 

isolated personnel to pursue additional intelligence requirements, particularly to support 

investigations of unresolved POW and/or missing in action incidents. 

6. Specific Operational Medical Duties 

Medical personnel play a key role in the successful reintegration of returned isolated 

personnel. The SERE psychologist’s duties are well defined, require specialized training, 

and are described in detail in other publications such as DODI 2310.4, Repatriation of 

Prisoners of War, Hostages, Peacetime Government Detainees and Other Missing or 

Isolated Personnel, JP 3-50, Personnel Recovery, and in specific theater plans. This 

section describes some of the medical responsibilities during reintegration. 

a. Medical Triage and Evaluation. In addition to their isolating incident, many 

recovered isolated personnel have been through physically traumatic experiences such as 

plane crashes or armed conflict and require immediate hands-on medical 

triage/evaluation and treatment for life threatening injuries/conditions. Often, in the 

excitement of recovering an isolated person medics will look at the returnee and if there 

are no obvious injuries they will ask, “Are you okay?” However, a hands-on medical 
Appendix J 

J-6 JP 4-02 

evaluation is necessary to prevent missing serious medical conditions that may go 

undetected in a returnee suffering from shock. 

b. Medical Evacuation. Isolated personnel are often evacuated through established 

MEDEVAC systems. It is essential that individuals who are isolated together remain 

together throughout the reintegration process if possible, including MEDEVAC 

transportation. It is essential that all recovered isolated personnel are initially evacuated 

to the same facility. Nonessential personnel should not be allowed on any MEDEVAC 

transportation. If nonessential personnel must be on the same transportation they should 

not have any interaction with returnees. At times debriefers and SERE psychologists will 

travel with the returnees; these individuals should be considered essential personnel. 

c. Return to Duty Recommendation. Not all recovered isolated personnel will 

require Phase II and III. Often Phase I care will take place at the forward location. The 

lead medical person is responsible to consult with the reintegration team chief and the 

SERE psychologist in making return to duty recommendations. 
K-1 

APPENDIX K

IMPACTS OF THE LAW OF WAR AND MEDICAL ETHICS 

1. General 

a. The conduct of armed hostilities is regulated by the law of armed conflict. This 

law is derived from two principal sources: 

(1) Treaties or conventions (such as The Hague and Geneva Conventions). 

(2) Customary international law (resulting from a general and consistent 

practice of states following them from a sense of legal obligation). 

b. Under the US Constitution, treaties ratified by the Senate constitute part of the 

supreme law of the land, and thus must be observed by both military and civilian 

personnel. The unwritten or customary law of armed conflict is part of international law 

as recognized by the US. As such, it is binding upon the US, citizens of the US, and 

other persons serving the United States. 

c. Conflicts within the joint operating environment now and in the future pose 

additional issues because adversaries within non-state organizations are neither 

signatories nor adherent to the Geneva Conventions. Some irregular tactics of 

adversaries include purposeful attacks against military and civilian health and 

humanitarian personnel and assets. Even within this environment the US military 

adheres to and honors the law of armed conflict at all times. 

d. Additional ethical issues arise in the treatment of HN civilians as part of health 

support operations. Delivery of direct health care and western/US standard health care 

and health services may exceed the law of armed conflict mandate due to humanitarian 

ideas, counterinsurgency, or inertia. When evaluated deeper and with a long-view 

exceeding local standards of care by too much may actually result in negative health 

sector effects. HN resources may never be able to support western programs in the long 

run or the services may competitively damage local health system components. Careful 

thought and analysis of the HN in regards to mission goals and objectives should guide 

all significant health sector engagement. 

2. The Geneva Conventions 

a. The US is a party to numerous conventions and treaties pertinent to warfare. 

Collectively, these treaties are often referred to as The Hague and Geneva Conventions. 

Whereas the Hague Conventions concern the methods and means of warfare, the Geneva 

Conventions concern the victims of war or armed conflict. The Geneva Conventions are 

four separate international treaties, signed in 1949. The Conventions are very detailed 

and contain many provisions, which are tied directly to the medical mission. These 

Conventions are titled: 

(1) Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded 

and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field (Geneva I or GWS).
Appendix K 

K-2 JP 4-02 

(2) Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded, 

Sick, and Shipwrecked Members of the Armed Forces at Sea (Geneva II or GWS Sea).

(3) Geneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War (Geneva 

III or GPW).

(4) Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of 

War (Geneva IV or GC).

b. All medical personnel should thoroughly understand the provisions of the Geneva 

Conventions that apply to medical activities. Violation of these Conventions can result in 

the loss of the protection afforded by them. Medical personnel should inform the tactical 

commander of the consequences of violating the provisions of these Conventions. The 

consequences can include the following: 

(1) Medical evacuation assets subjected to attack and destruction by the 

adversary. 

(2) Medical capability degraded. 

(3) Captured medical personnel becoming POWs rather than retained personnel. 

They may not be permitted to treat fellow prisoners and would not be repatriated before 

the end of hostilities even if surplus to the POW population’s needs. 

(4) Loss of protected status for medical unit, personnel, or evacuation platforms 

(to include aircraft on the ground). 

3. Protection of the Wounded, Sick, and Shipwrecked 

a. The essential and dominant idea of the GWS is that the combatant on the 

battlefield who has been wounded or who is sick, and for that reason is out of the combat 

in a disabled condition, known as hors de combat, is from that moment protected. Friend 

or foe must be tended with the same care. From this principle, numerous obligations are 

imposed upon parties to a conflict. 

b. Protection and Care. Article 12 of the GWS imposes several specific 

obligations regarding the protection and care of the wounded and sick. 

(1) The first paragraph of Article 12, GWS, states “Members of the armed 

forces and other persons mentioned in the following Article, who are wounded or sick, 

shall be respected and protected in all circumstances.” 

(a) The word “respect” means “to spare, not to attack,” as explained in the 

International Committee of the Red Cross’s Commentary, I Geneva Convention, and 

“protect” means “to come to someone’s defense, to lend help and support.” These words 

make it unlawful to attack, kill, ill-treat, or in any way harm a fallen adversary combatant 

who has ceased to fight and laid down his arms as a result of his injuries. At the same 
 Impacts of the Law of War and Medical Ethics 

K-3 

time, these words impose an obligation to come to the enemy person’s aid and give him 

such care as his condition requires. 

(b) This obligation is applicable in all circumstances. The wounded and 

sick are to be respected just as much when they are with their own Service or in no man’s 

land as when they have fallen into the hands of the adversary. 

(c) Combatants, as well as noncombatants, are required to respect the 

wounded. The obligation also applies to civilians; Article 18, GWS, specifically states: 

“The civilian population shall respect these wounded and sick, and in particular abstain 

from offering them violence.” 

(d) Military personnel who are at sea and are wounded, sick or 

shipwrecked, by whatever cause, are entitled to the same respect and protection. 

(e) The GWS does not define what “wounded or sick” means, nor has there 

ever been any definition of the degree of severity of a wound or a sickness entitling the 

wounded or sick combatant to respect. Any definition would necessarily be restrictive in 

character and would thereby open the door to misinterpretation and abuse. The meaning 

of the words “wounded and sick” is thus a matter of common sense and good faith. It is 

the act of laying down of arms because of a wound or sickness, which constitutes the 

claim to protection. 

(f) The benefits afforded the wounded and sick extend not only to members 

of the armed forces, but to other categories of persons as well, classes of whom are 

specified in Article 13, GWS. Even though a wounded person is not in one of the 

categories enumerated in the Article, we must still respect and protect that person. There 

is a universal principle that says that any wounded or sick person is entitled to respect and 

humane treatment and the care, which his condition requires. Wounded and sick civilians 

have the benefit of humanitarian safeguards. It is the best practice to treat all sick or 

wounded adversary citizens as detainees, entitled to treatment, until their status can be 

determined otherwise. 

(2) The second paragraph of Article 12, GWS, provides that the wounded and 

sick “...shall be treated humanely and cared for by the Party to the conflict in whose 

power they may be, without any adverse distinction founded on sex, race, nationality, 

religion, political opinions, or any other similar criteria...” 

(a) All adverse distinctions are prohibited. Nothing can justify an 

adversary in making any adverse distinction between wounded or sick that require his 

attention, whether they are friend or foe. Both are on equal footing in the matter of their 

claims to protection, respect, and care. The foregoing is not intended to prohibit 

concessions, particularly with respect to food, clothing, and shelter, which take into 

account the different national habits and backgrounds of the wounded and sick. 

(b) The wounded and sick shall not be made the subjects of biological, 

scientific, or medical experiments of any kind that are not justified on medical grounds 

and dictated by a desire to improve their condition. 
Appendix K 

K-4 JP 4-02 

(c) The wounded and sick shall not willfully be left without medical 

assistance, nor shall conditions exposing them to contagion or infection be created. 

(3) The only reason that can justify priority in the order of treatment are reasons 

of medical urgency. This is not so much an exception to the principle of equality of 

treatment of the wounded as it is recognition of the legitimacy of triage. So long as 

adversary patients are triaged on an equal footing with allied patients, triage is justified. 

An adversary can never refuse to care for adversary wounded on the pretext that his 

adversary has abandoned them without medical personnel and equipment. 

(4) Paragraph 5 of Article 12, GWS, provides that if we must abandon wounded 

or sick, we have a moral obligation to, “as far as military considerations permit,” leave 

medical supplies and personnel to assist in their care. This provision is in no way bound 

up with the absolute obligation imposed by paragraph 2 of Article 12 to care for the 

wounded. 

c. Adversary Wounded and Sick. The protections accorded the wounded and sick 

apply to friend and foe alike without distinction. Certain provisions of the GWS, 

however, specifically concern adversary wounded and sick. There are also provisions in 

the GPW, which because they apply to POWs generally, also apply to adversary 

wounded or sick. 

(1) Article 14 of the GWS states that the wounded and sick of a belligerent who 

are captured have the status of POWs. However, that wounded adversary is also a person 

who needs treatment. Therefore, a wounded adversary who falls into the hands of an 

adversary who is a Party to the GWS and the GPW, such as the US, will enjoy protection 

under both Conventions until his recovery. 

(2) Article 16 of the GWS requires the recording and forwarding of information 

regarding adversary wounded, sick, or dead. 

(3) When intelligence indicates that large numbers of EPWs may result from an 

operation, medical units may require reinforcement to support the anticipated additional 

EPW patient workload. 

d. Search for and Collection of Casualties. Article 15 of the GWS imposes a duty 

on combatants to search for and collect the dead and wounded and sick as soon as 

circumstances permit. It is left to the tactical commander to judge what is possible and to 

decide to commit his medical personnel to this effort. If circumstances permit, an 

armistice or suspension of fire should be arranged to permit this effort. 

e. Assistance of the Civilian Population. Article 18, GWS, addresses the civilian 

population. It allows military authorities to ask the civilians to collect and care for 

wounded or sick of whatever nationality. This provision does not relieve the military 

authorities of their responsibility to give both physical and moral care to the wounded and 

sick. The GWS also reminds the civilian population that they must respect the wounded 

and sick, and in particular, must not injure them. 
 Impacts of the Law of War and Medical Ethics 

K-5 

f. Adversary Civilian Wounded and Sick. Certain provisions of the GC are 

relevant to the medical mission. 

(1) Article 16 of the GC provides that adversary civilians who are “wounded 

and sick, as well as the infirm and expectant mothers shall be the object of particular 

protection and respect.” The Article also requires that, “as far as military considerations 

allow, each Party to the conflict shall facilitate the steps taken to search for the killed and 

wounded (civilians), to assist...other persons exposed to grave danger, and to protect 

them against pillage and ill-treatment (emphasis added).” 

(a) The “protection and respect” to which wounded and sick adversary 

civilians are entitled is the same as that accorded to wounded and sick adversary military 

personnel. 

(b) While Article 15 of the GWS requires parties to a conflict to search for 

and collect the dead and wounded and sick members of the armed forces, Article 16 of 

the GC states that the parties must “facilitate the steps taken” in regard to civilians. This 

recognizes the fact that saving civilians is the responsibility of the civilian authorities 

rather than of the military. The military is not required to provide injured civilians with 

medical care in an operational area. However, if we start providing treatment, we are 

bound by the provisions of the GWS. 

(2) In occupied territories, the occupying power must accord the inhabitants 

numerous protections as required by Part III, Section III, GC. The provisions relevant to 

medical care include the: 

(a) Requirement to bring in medical supplies for the population if the 

resources of the occupied territory are inadequate. 

(b) Prohibition on requisitioning medical supplies except for use by 

occupation forces and administration personnel unless the requirements of the civilian 

population have been taken into account. Fair value must be paid for the requisitioned 

goods. 

(c) Duty of ensuring and maintaining, with the cooperation of national and 

local authorities, the medical and hospital establishments and services, public health, and 

hygiene in the occupied territory. 

(d) Requirement that medical personnel of all categories be allowed to 

carry out their duties. 

(e) Prohibition on requisitioning civilian hospitals on other than a 

temporary basis and then only in cases of urgent necessity for the care of military 

wounded and sick and only so long as suitable arrangements are made for the civilian 

patients in due time. Prohibition on requisitioning the material and stores of civilian 

hospitals so long as they are necessary for the needs of the civilian population. 
Appendix K 

K-6 JP 4-02 

(f) Requirement to provide adequate medical treatment to detained persons. 

Requirement to provide adequate medical care in internment camps. 

4. Protection and Identification of Medical Personnel 

a. Article 24 of the GWS provides special protection for “Medical personnel 

exclusively engaged in the search for, or the collection, transport, or treatment of the 

wounded or sick, or in the prevention of disease, and staff exclusively engaged in the 

administration of medical units and establishments . . . (emphasis added).” Article 25 

provides limited protection for “Members of the armed forces specially trained for 

employment, should the need arise, as hospital orderlies, nurses, or auxiliary stretcherbearers, in the search for or the collection, transport, or treatment of the wounded and 

sick . . . if they are carrying out these duties at the time when they come into contact with 

the enemy or fall into his hands (emphasis added).” 

b. Protection. There are two separate and distinct forms of protection. 

(1) The first is protection from intentional attack if medical personnel are 

identifiable as such by an adversary in a combat environment. Normally this is facilitated 

by medical personnel wearing an arm band bearing the distinctive emblem (a Red Cross 

Red Crescent, or Red Crystal on a white background), or by their employment in a 

medical unit, establishment, or vehicle (including medical aircraft and hospital ships) that 

displays the distinctive emblem. Persons protected by Article 25 may wear an armband 

bearing a miniature distinctive emblem only while executing medical duties. 

(2) The second protection provided by the GWS pertains to medical personnel 

who fall into the hands of the adversary. Article 24 personnel are entitled to “retained 

personnel” status. They are not deemed to be POWs, but otherwise benefit from the 

protections of the GPW. They are authorized to carry out medical duties only, and “shall 

be retained only in so far as the state of health . . . and the number of POWs require.” 

Article 25 personnel are POWs, but shall be employed to perform medical duties in so far 

as the need arises. They may be required to perform other duties or labor, and they may 

be held until a general repatriation of POWs is accomplished upon the cessation of 

hostilities. 

c. Specific Cases. Personnel assigned to medical units fall into the category 

identified in Article 24 provided they meet the “exclusively engaged” criteria of that 

article. While it is not a violation of the GWS for Article 24 personnel to perform 

nonmedical duties, it should be understood, however, that Article 24 personnel lose their 

protected status under that article if they perform duties or tasks inconsistent with their 

noncombatant role. Should those personnel later take up their medical duties again, a 

reasonable argument might be made that they cannot regain Article 24 status since they 

have not been exclusively engaged in medical duties and that such switching of roles 

might at best cause such personnel to fall under the category identified in Article 25. 

(1) Article 24 personnel who might become Article 25 personnel by virtue of 

their switching roles could include the following: 
 Impacts of the Law of War and Medical Ethics 

K-7 

(a) A medical company commander, executive officer, or a physician 

detailed as convoy march unit commander with responsibility for medical and 

nonmedical unit routes of march, convoy control, defense, and repulsing attacks. 

(b) Helicopter pilots who are permanently assigned to a dedicated medical 

aviation unit to fly MEDEVAC helicopters, but fly helicopters not bearing the Red Cross 

emblem on standard combat missions during other times. 

(2) The GWS does not itself prohibit the use of Article 24 personnel in 

perimeter defense of nonmedical units such as logistics areas or base clusters under 

overall security defense plans, but the policy of DOD is that Article 24 personnel will not 

be used for this purpose. Adherence to this policy should avoid any issues regarding their 

status under the GWS due to a temporary change in their role from noncombatant to 

combatant. Medical personnel may guard their own unit without any concurrent loss of 

their protected status. 

d. Identification Cards and Armbands. Medical personnel who meet the 

“exclusively engaged” criteria of Article 24, GWS, are entitled to wear an armband 

bearing the distinctive emblem of the Red Cross and carry the medical personnel 

identification card authorized in Article 40, GWS (in the United States Armed Services, 

DD Form 1934 [Geneva Conventions Identity Card for Medical and Religious Personnel 

Who Serve in or Accompany the Armed Forces]). Article 25 personnel and medical 

personnel serving in positions that do not meet the “exclusively engaged” criteria of 

Article 24 are not entitled to carry the medical personnel identification card or wear the 

distinctive emblem armband. Such personnel carry a common access card and, under 

Article 25, may wear an armband bearing a miniature distinctive emblem when executing 

medical duties. 

5. Protection and Identification of Medical Units, Establishments, Buildings, 

Materiel, and Medical Transports 

a. Protection. There are two separate and distinct forms of protection. 

(1) The first is protection from intentional attack if medical units, 

establishments, or transports are identifiable as such by an adversary in an operational 

environment. Normally, this is facilitated by medical units or establishments flying a 

white flag with a Red Cross and by marking buildings and transport vehicles with the 

distinctive emblem. 

(a) It follows that if we cannot attack recognizable medical units, 

establishments, or transports, we should allow them to continue to give treatment to the 

wounded in their care as long as this is necessary. 

(b) All vehicles employed exclusively on medical transport duty are 

protected on the battlefield. However, if they fall into enemy hands they are subject to 

the law of war. Medical vehicles being used concurrently for both military and medical 

purposes, such as moving wounded personnel during an evacuation and carrying 

retreating adversaries are not entitled to protection. 
Appendix K 

K-8 JP 4-02 

(c) Medical aircraft, like medical transports, are protected from intentional 

attack, but with a major difference—they are protected only “while flying at heights, 

times, and on routes specifically agreed upon between the belligerents concerned,” 

(Article 36, GWS). Such agreements may be made for each specific case or may be of a 

general nature, concluded for the duration of hostilities. If there is no agreement, flights 

over enemy or enemy-occupied terrain receive no special protection. 

(d) Article 37, GWS, specifies that “medical aircraft of Parties to the 

conflict may fly over the territory of neutral Powers, land on it in case of necessity, or use 

it as a port of call.” The medical aircraft will “give the neutral Powers previous notice of 

their passage over the said territory and obey all summons to alight, on land or water.” 

The aircraft will be “immune from attack only when flying on routes, at heights, and at 

times specifically agreed upon between the Parties to the conflict and the neutral Power 

concerned.” It further states that “the neutral Powers may, however, place conditions or 

restrictions on the passage or landing of medical aircraft on their territory,” so long as 

those “conditions or restrictions shall be applied equally to all Parties to the conflict.” 

(e) According to GWS Sea, Article 28, should fighting occur on board a 

warship, the sick-bays shall be respected and spared as far as possible. Sick-bays and 

their equipment shall remain subject to the laws of warfare, but may not be diverted from 

their purpose so long as they are required for the wounded and sick. Nevertheless, the 

commander into whose power they have fallen may, after ensuring the proper care of the 

wounded and sick who are accommodated therein, apply them to other purposes in case 

of urgent military necessity. 

(f) According to GWS Sea, Chapter III, hospital ships may not be attacked 

or captured, provided their names and descriptions have been provided to the adversary at 

least ten days before they are deployed. Hospital ships lose protection if they are used for 

any military purpose or commit acts harmful to the adversary. Possession of secret codes 

for radios or other means of communication by a hospital ship is considered an act 

harmful to the adversary, but US policy has been to equip its hospital ships with 

encrypted communication in order to allow for communication between the hospital ship 

and other naval vessels or commands. However, such systems must not be used for 

military purposes in any way harmful to a potential adversary. 

(g) The second paragraph of Article 19, GWS, imposes an obligation upon 

commanders to “ensure that the said medical establishments and units are, as far as 

possible, situated in such a manner that attacks against military objectives cannot imperil 

their safety.” Hospitals should be sited alone, as far as possible from military objectives. 

The unintentional bombardment of a medical establishment or unit due to its presence 

among or in proximity to valid military objectives is not a violation of the GWS. Legal 

protection is certainly valuable, but it is more valuable when accompanied by practical 

safeguards. 

(2) The second protection provided by the GWS pertains to medical units, 

establishments, materiel, and transports that fall into the hands of the adversary. 
 Impacts of the Law of War and Medical Ethics 

K-9 

(a) Captured mobile medical unit materiel is to be used first to treat the 

patients in the captured unit. If there are no patients in the captured unit, or when those 

who were there have been moved, the materiel is to be used for the treatment of other 

wounded and sick persons. 

(b) Generally, the buildings, materiel, and stores of fixed medical 

establishments will continue to be used to treat wounded and sick. However, after 

provision is made to care for remaining patients, tactical commanders may make other 

use of them. All distinctive markings must be removed if the buildings are to be used for 

other than medical purposes. 

(c) The materiel and stores of fixed establishments and mobile medical 

units are not to be intentionally destroyed, even to prevent them from falling into 

adversary hands. 

(d) Medical transports that fall into adversary hands may be used for any 

purpose once arrangement has been made for the medical care of the wounded and sick 

they contain. The distinctive markings must be removed if they are to be used for 

nonmedical purposes. 

(e) A medical aircraft must obey a summons to land for inspection. If it is 

performing its medical mission, it is supposed to be released to continue its flight. If 

examination reveals that an act “harmful to the enemy” (for example, if the aircraft is 

carrying munitions) has been committed, it loses the protections of the Conventions and 

may be seized. If a medical aircraft makes an involuntary landing, all aboard, except the 

medical personnel (who will be retained personnel), will be POWs. A medical aircraft 

refusing a summons to land does so at its own risk and may become a lawful target. 

b. Identification. The GWS contains several provisions regarding the use of the 

Red Cross emblem on medical units, establishments, and transports (the identification of 

medical personnel has been previously discussed). 

(1) Article 39 of the GWS reads as follows: “Under the direction of the 

competent military authority, the emblem shall be displayed on the flags, armlets, and on 

all equipment employed in the Medical Service.” 

(a) There is no obligation of an adversary to mark his units with the 

emblem. Sometimes a commander may order the camouflage of his medical units in 

order to conceal the presence or real strength of his forces. The adversary must respect a 

medical unit if he knows of its presence, even one that is camouflaged or not marked. 

The absence of a visible Red Cross emblem, however, coupled with a lack of knowledge 

on the part of the adversary as to the unit’s protected status, may render that unit’s 

protection valueless. 

(b) The distinctive emblem is not a Red Cross alone; it is a Red Cross on a 

white background. Should there be some good reason, however, why an object protected 

by the Convention can only be marked with a Red Cross without a white background, 

adversaries may not make the fact that it is so marked a pretext for refusing to respect it. 
Appendix K 

K-10 JP 4-02 

(c) Some countries use a Red Crescent on a white background in place of a 

Red Cross. This emblem is recognized as an authorized exception under Article 38, 

GWS. This showed compliance with the general rule that the wounded and sick must be 

respected and protected when they are recognized as such, even when not properly 

marked. 

NOTE: The Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocol III authorize the use of the 

following distinctive emblems on a white background: Red Cross; Red Crescent; Red 

Crystal; and Red Lion and Sun, which was once employed by Iran but is no longer used. 

In operations conducted in countries using an emblem other than the Red Cross on a 

white background, United States personnel must be made aware of the different official 

emblems. United States forces are authorized to display the Red Cross. However, 

commanders have authorized the display of both the Red Cross and the Red Crescent to 

accommodate HN concerns and to ensure that confusion of emblems would not occur. 

Such use of the Red Crescent must be of a smaller size than the Red Cross. 

(d) The initial phrase of Article 39 shows that it is the military commander 

who controls the emblem and can give or withhold permission to use it. He is at all times 

responsible for the use made of the emblem and must see that it is not improperly used by 

the troops or by individuals. 

(2) Article 42 of the GWS specifically addresses the marking of medical units 

and establishments. 

(a) “The distinctive flag of the Convention shall be hoisted only over such 

medical units and establishments as are entitled to be respected under the Convention, 

and only with the consent of the military authorities” (Paragraph 1, Article 42, GWS). 

Although the Convention does not define “the distinctive flag of the Convention,” what is 

meant is a white flag with a Red Cross in its center. Also, the word “flag” must be taken 

in its broadest sense. Medical treatment facilities are often marked by one or several Red 

Cross emblems painted on the roof. Finally, the military authority must consent to the 

use of the flag (see the above comments on Article 39) and must ensure that the flag is 

used only on buildings entitled to protection. 

(b) “In mobile units, as in fixed establishments, it [the distinctive flag] may 

be accompanied by the national flag of the Party to the conflict to which the unit or 

establishment belongs” (Paragraph 2, Article 42, GWS). This provision makes it optional 

to fly the national flag with the Red Cross flag. It should be noted that on a battlefield, 

the national flag is a symbol of belligerency and is therefore likely to provoke attack. 

NOTE: There is no such thing as a “camouflaged” Red Cross. When camouflaging a 

medical unit or ambulance, either cover up the Red Cross or take it down. A black cross

on an olive drab or any other background is not a symbol recognized under the Geneva 

Conventions. 
 Impacts of the Law of War and Medical Ethics 

K-11 

6. Loss of Protection of Medical Establishments and Units 

Medical assets lose their protected status by committing acts “harmful to the enemy” 

(Article 21, GWS). A warning must be given to the offending unit and a reasonable 

amount of time allowed for ceasing such activity. 

a. Acts Harmful to the Adversary. The phrase “acts harmful to the enemy” is not 

defined in the Convention, but should be considered to include acts the purpose or effect 

of which is to harm the adversary, by facilitating or impeding military operations. Such 

harmful acts would include, for example, the use of a hospital as a shelter for able-bodied 

combatants, as an arms or ammunition dump, or as a military observation post. Another 

instance would be deliberately locating a medical unit in a position where it would 

impede an adversary attack. Treating wounded and sick military personnel is not 

considered an act “harmful to the enemy” for purposes of the Convention. 

b. Warning and Time Limit. The adversary has to warn the unit to put an end to 

the harmful acts and must fix a time limit on the conclusion of which he may open fire or 

attack if the warning has not been complied with. The phrase “in all appropriate cases” 

recognizes that there might obviously be cases where no time limit could be allowed. A 

body of troops approaching a hospital and met by heavy fire from every window would 

return fire without delay. 

c. Use of Smoke and Obscurants. The use of smoke and obscurants during 

MEDEVAC operations for signaling or marking landing zones does not constitute an act 

harmful to the adversary. However, employing such devices to obfuscate a medical 

element’s position or location is tantamount to camouflaging; it would jeopardize its 

entitlement privilege status under the GWS. 

7. Conditions not Depriving Medical Units and Establishments of Protection 

a. Article 22 of the GWS reads as follows: “The following conditions shall not be 

considered as depriving a medical unit or establishment of the protection guaranteed by 

Article 19: 

(1) That the personnel of the unit or establishment are armed, and that they use 

the arms in their own defense, or in that of the wounded and sick in their charge. 

(2) That in the absence of armed orderlies, the unit or establishment is protected 

by a picket or by sentries or by an escort. 

(3) That small arms and ammunition taken from the wounded and sick and not 

yet handed to the proper service, are found in the unit or establishment. 

(4) That personnel and material of the veterinary service are found in the unit or 

establishment, without forming an integral part thereof. 

(5) That the humanitarian activities of medical units and establishments or of 

their personnel extend to the care of civilian wounded or sick.” 
Appendix K 

K-12 JP 4-02 

b. These five conditions are not to be regarded as acts harmful to the adversary. 

These are particular cases where a medical unit retains its character and its right to 

immunity, in spite of certain appearances that might lead to a contrary conclusion or, at 

least, create some doubt. 

(1) Defense of Medical Units and Self-Defense by Medical Personnel. A 

medical unit is granted a privileged status under the law of armed conflict. This status is 

based on the view that medical personnel are not combatants and that their role in the 

combat area is exclusively a humanitarian one. In recognition of the necessity of selfdefense, however, medical personnel may be armed for their own defense or for the 

protection of the wounded and sick under their charge. To retain this privileged status, 

they must refrain from all aggressive actions and may only employ their weapons if 

attacked in violation of the Conventions. They may not employ arms against adversary 

forces acting in conformity with law of armed conflict and may not use force to prevent 

the capture of their unit by the adversary (it is, on the other hand, perfectly legitimate for 

a medical unit to withdraw in the face of the adversary). Medical personnel that use their 

arms in circumstances not justified by the law of land warfare expose themselves to 

penalties for violation of the law of armed conflict and, provided they have been given 

due warning to cease such acts, may also forfeit the protection of the medical unit or 

establishment which they are protecting. 

(a) Medical personnel may carry only small arms, such as rifles, pistols, 

squad automatic weapons (USA), or authorized substitutes. 

(b) The presence of machine guns, grenade launchers, booby traps, hand 

grenades, light antitank weapons, or mines (regardless of the method by which they are 

detonated) in or around a medical unit or establishment could seriously jeopardize its 

entitlement to privileged status under the GWS. The deliberate arming of a medical unit 

with such items could constitute an act harmful to the adversary and cause the medical 

unit to lose its protection, regardless of the location of the medical unit. 

(2) Guarding Medical Units. As a rule, a medical unit is to be guarded by its 

own personnel. However, it will not lose its protected status if the guard is performed by 

a number of armed military personnel. The military guard attached to a medical unit may 

use its weapons, just as armed medical personnel may, to ensure the protection of the 

unit. But, as in the case of medical personnel, the armed personnel may only act in a 

purely defensive manner and may not oppose the occupation or control of the unit by an 

adversary who is respecting the unit’s privileged status. The status of such armed 

personnel is that of ordinary members of the armed forces. The mere fact of their 

presence with a medical unit will shelter them from attack. In case of capture, they will 

be POWs. 

(3) Arms and Ammunition Taken from the Wounded. Wounded persons 

arriving in a medical unit may still be in possession of small arms and ammunition, which 

will be taken from them and handed to authorities outside the medical unit. Should a unit 

be captured by the adversary before it is able to get rid of these arms, their presence is not 

of itself cause for denying the protection to be accorded the medical unit under the GWS. 
 Impacts of the Law of War and Medical Ethics 

K-13 

(4) Care of Civilian Wounded or Sick. A medical unit or establishment 

protected by the GWS may take in civilians as well as military wounded and sick without 

jeopardizing its privileged status. This clause merely sanctions what is actually done in 

practice. 

8. Medical Care for Retained and Detained Personnel 

a. Definitions 

(1) The term detainee refers to any person captured or otherwise detained by an 

armed force. 

(2) The term, retained personnel is defined as “Enemy personnel who come 

within any of the categories below are eligible to be certified as retained personnel.” 

b. Medical personnel exclusively engaged in the: 

(1) Search for, collection, transport, or treatment of the wounded or sick. 

(2) Prevention of disease. 

(3) Staff administration of medical units and establishments exclusively. 

(a) Chaplains attached to enemy armed forces. 

(b) Staff of national Red Cross societies and other voluntary aid societies 

duly recognized and authorized by their governments. The staffs of such societies must 

be subject to military laws and regulations. 
Appendix K 

K-14 JP 4-02 

Intentionally Blank 
L-1 

APPENDIX L

PLANNING CHECKLISTS 

SECTION A. MEDICAL CHECKLIST FOR CIVIL SUPPORT OPERATIONS 

1. General Mission Analysis Considerations 

a. What type of operation is being considered?

(1) Is the joint operation a civil support mission? If it is a civil support 

operation, is the mission defense support of civil authorities? 

(a) Is the defense support of civil authorities’ mission for disaster response 

non-CBRN, or domestic CBRN response? 

(b) Is the defense support of civil authorities’ mission military assistance to 

civil law enforcement agencies for counter drugs, national special security event, 

combating terrorism or maritime security operations? 

(2) Will the supported population for the operation comprise of USG agency 

employees, government contractors, NGO personnel (American Red Cross 

workers/volunteers), and/or civilian personnel (victims and rescuers)? 

(3) Will medical units provide health support only to military personnel 

deployed in support of the operation or will care be provided to the civilian population? 

(4) Has a determination regarding eligibility for care for nonmilitary personnel 

been established? 

b. What agencies are involved in the operation? 

(1) What agency has the primary responsibility for the operation? 

(2) Will the military chain of command be organized as a JTF? 

(3) What is the medical capability of participating agencies? 

(4) Will civilian or interagency MTFs be utilized (clinics, health centers, or 

hospitals)? 

(a) What capabilities do they possess? 

(b) Will they require augmentation by military medical personnel? 

(c) Can medical resources be shared? 

c. How is the operation being funded? 

(1) What agency has primary responsibility for funding the operation? 
Appendix L 

L-2 JP 4-02 

(2) Are there restrictions on the use of certain funds? 

(3) What record keeping is required to ensure reimbursement? 

(4) What military funds will be utilized to sustain health support? 

d. How will the credentialing and scope of practice for medical professionals be 

managed? 

(1) How will military health care professionals that augment civilian MTFs in 

the JOA be credentialed? And, will there be limits to their scope of practice? 

(2) Will nonmilitary health care professionals be authorized to assist or augment 

JTF MTFs in the JOA? 

(a) If yes, how will they be credentialed? 

(b) Will there be limits to their scope of practice? 

e. What is the terrorist threat in the JOA? 

2. Preventive Medicine Considerations 

a. What is the health threat within the JOA? 

(1) What are the endemic or epidemic disease threats? 

(2) Are there hazardous flora and fauna in the JOA? 

(3) What are the OEH threats? 

(4) Is there a threat from the potential use of CBRN warfare agents? 

b. Will there be clinical and environmental laboratory support for the diagnosis of 

diseases?

(1) What laboratory capabilities will medical units deployed during the 

operation possess? 

(2) If laboratory capability is not sufficient in the JOA, where will this support 

be obtained? 

(3) Are civilian laboratories available in the JOA to process laboratory 

specimens required to diagnosis disease? 

c. Will laboratory support provide for the identification and confirmation of 

biological and chemical warfare agents and support selected biomonitoring requirements?
 Planning Checklists 

L-3 

(1) Will there be a laboratory in the JOA with the capability and certification to 

test and provide field confirmation of suspected biological and chemical agents? 

(2) If this capability is not available in the JOA, how will this support be 

obtained? 

(3) How will the chain of custody be maintained for these biological and 

chemical specimens? 

(4) Will laboratory support be available in the JOA to support any in-theater 

biomonitoring requirements for the documentation of selected exposures to chemical 

warfare agents or environmental agents? 

d. Will there be requirements for pest management operations in the JOA? 

e. Will the lead federal agency require military augmentation for food, water, air, and 

general sanitation inspections in the JOA? 

3. Medical Treatment Facilities and Hospitalization Considerations 

a. What MTFs and medical resources are planned for the JOA? 

(1) What is the total number of medical and surgical beds and ancillary support 

services required for the mission? 

(2) Will organic dental resources be deployed? 

(3) Where will dental resources be located? 

(4) Where will pharmacy resources be located? 

b. How will MTFs and medical resources document the furnished medical/dental 

care? 

c. What medical resources are already in the JOA? And what are their capabilities? 

(1) What are the total number of military, Department of Veterans Affairs, and 

NDMS MTFs in the JOA? 

(a) What are their medical and surgical bed holding capabilities? 

(b) What is the scope of their ancillary service support capability? 

(c) What are their bed surge capabilities at designated intervals? 

(d) Will these MTFs require medical augmentation for the 

operation/scenario? 
Appendix L 

L-4 JP 4-02 

(2) What are the names and locations of supporting NDMS federal coordinating 

centers in the JOA? 

(3) What are the total numbers and capabilities of non-National Disaster 

Medical System participating civilian MTFs in the JOA? 

(4) What is the throughput capacity for the patient reception areas in the JOA? 

(5) Will patients require further evacuation for definitive treatment? 

d. During disaster relief operations, what behavioral health support will be available 

for victims, caregivers, and rescuers? 

(1) Will the JTF be required to provide behavioral health support to other 

agencies and individuals supporting the operation? 

(2) Will civilian behavioral health organizations be available to provide support 

to victims, caregivers, and rescuers? 

e. Will interpreters be available as required, to translate patient complaints to 

attending medical personnel?

f. What behavioral health intervention support will be available should a terrorist 

incident occur?

4. Medical Regulating and Evacuation Considerations 

a. What infrastructure is available for patient evacuation?

b. What capabilities exist within the JOA’s patient reception areas to include: 

airfields/landing sites, air/local ground transportation assets, and patient staging areas?

c. Will numbers of casualties or the event require formal activation of the National 

Disaster Medical System within/outside the JOA?

d. How will patients be regulated within and if necessary, outside the JOA?

(1) Will casualties go to the same MTF or will they be dispersed among various 

facilities in the JOA? 

(2) Who will perform the medical regulating function? 

e. Who will be responsible for MEDEVAC support? Who will be responsible for AE 

support? 

f. How will MEDEVAC support be requested? How will AE support be requested?

(1) Will communications interoperability and capability issues exist between the 

evacuation platforms and the medical regulating authority? 
 Planning Checklists 

L-5 

(2) How will the supporting MEDEVAC unit be contacted? 

(3) What type of MEDEVAC request format will be required? 

(4) Will medical regulating support be required at the staging areas? And if so, 

will GPMRC provide augmentation support? 

g. How will PMIs be handled? 

h. Will a PMI center be established? 

i. Will a PMI pool be established to facilitate the immediate exchange and resupply 

of PMIs? 

j. Will a process be established at strategic patient movement hubs to recover PMIs 

and return them to the PMI pool? 

k. When a PMI is recovered, will a technical inspection and maintenance be 

performed on all PMIs prior to their return to the PMI pool to ensure they are in issueready condition? 

l. Will a procedure be established that will facilitate the inclusion of PMI exchange 

requests with the MEDEVAC requests so that the correct PMI can be replaced when the 

patient is transferred through the MEDEVAC system? 

5. Medical Logistics Considerations 

a. What is the source of Class VIII materiel?

(1) Will Class VIII be obtained through conventional military channels? 

(2) What is the funding source for use of military Class VIII materiel? 

(3) Will they be provided by other USG departments and agencies or non-DOD 

entities? 

(4) Will donated medical items be used in disaster relief operations? 

(5) If donated items are to be used, what agency will be responsible for 

receiving, storing, repackaging, and distributing these items? Will this be accomplished 

by another USG department or agency? Or will the joint force be responsible for this 

mission? 

b. Will blood and blood products be required by the mission? 

(1) How will blood support be requested? 

(2) Who will have primary responsibility for providing blood support to the 

operation? 
Appendix L 

L-6 JP 4-02 

(3) If the joint force is tasked/authorized to provide blood products to the 

operation, will the International Committee of the Red Cross be responsible for blood 

product distribution in the JOA? 

c. Will the GCC’s designated TLAMM provide MEDLOG support for the operation?

d. How will medical equipment maintenance and repair be accomplished?

(1) What medical capability can be organized to provide this support? 

(2) Where will units providing this support be located? 

(3) Is this support available within the JOA? 

(4) Can this support be contracted? 

6. Veterinary Service Considerations 

a. Will military working dogs, other government-owned animals, or civilian working 

dogs be used during the operation?

(1) What is the military working dog population to be supported? 

(2) Will augmentation of veterinary medicine personnel be required for the 

operation? 

(3) Will veterinary medicine personnel be required to provide care and treatment 

of other government-owned animals, and civilian working dogs such as search and rescue 

dogs? 

b. Where will supporting veterinary medicine facilities be located? 

c. How will animals requiring evacuation be managed? 

(1) Will transportation assets (ground/air) be designated for animal evacuations? 

(2) Will dog handlers accompany military working dogs during evacuations? 

(3) If animals are unable to accompany handlers, can they be sedated before 

evacuation? 

d. What are the zoonotic disease threats to military working dogs and governmentowned animals in the JOA? 

e. What are the immunization requirements for military working dogs and 

government-owned animals deploying in the JOA? 

f. Will there be a requirement for animal control assistance (strays and ill)? 
 Planning Checklists 

L-7 

g. Will there be a requirement for food processing and distribution site assistance? 

7. Medical Communications Considerations 

a. What is the medical communications system and intelligence plan in the JOA? 

b. Can the medical C2 elements communicate with all critical parties? 

SECTION B. HEALTH SUPPORT CHECKLIST FOR STABILITY 

OPERATIONS 

8. General Mission Analysis Considerations 

a. What type of operation is being considered?

(1) Is it a noncombatant evacuation operation, civil support, FHA, or peace 

operations? 

(a) If a noncombatant evacuation operation is anticipated, has a contact list 

to include phone numbers of embassy health officials been established? 

(b) Is the noncombatant operation permissive or nonpermissive, and how 

best can it be supported? 

(c) What are the numbers and demographics of noncombatants and 

civilians, and how many are known to require medical care? Are there high-risk 

individuals? 

(d) What is the physical location of the civilians and noncombatants, and is 

there a published plan addressing their collection prior to evacuation? 

(e) Are there any civilian casualty projections for the noncombatant 

operation? 

(f) What is the MEDEVAC policy for noncombatant operation casualties? 

(g) What nations are available to provide support for an evacuation? 

(h) What will be done with pets brought to evacuation control points? 

(i) Has the Department of State authorized pets to accompany 

noncombatant operation evacuees? And, will the US Department of Agriculture or other 

department or agency prohibit any animals from entry into the US? Can pets be 

evacuated to another country that has a US military installation? 

(j) If it is a disaster relief, FHA or peace enforcement operation, will action 

be unilateral or multinational? What are potential countries? And, what type of health 

support will they provide? 
Appendix L 

L-8 JP 4-02 

(k) If mission is a disaster relief, FHA, or peace enforcement operation, 

what type of military personnel may be used to resolve the crisis or conflict, and how 

might they best be supported medically? 

(l) If it is a noncombatant operation, disaster relief, FHA, or peace 

enforcement operation, what other resources are available (civil affairs, International 

Committee of the Red Cross, interagency community, and so on) to share additional 

medical information about the threat, crisis, conflict, or region? 

(2) Will the supported population for the operation comprise of USG agency 

employees, government contractors, NGO and international organization personnel 

(American Red Cross workers/volunteers, US Agency for International Development 

workers), allied military personnel, and/or civilian personnel (foreign nationals, victims 

and rescuers)? 

(3) Will JTF medical units provide medical care only to personnel deployed in 

support of the operation or will care be provided to the civilian population? 

(4) Has a determination regarding eligibility for care and patient movement for 

nonmilitary or multinational military personnel been established? 

(5) Are there specific cultural, religious, or social considerations, which may 

impact health support? 

b. How is the operation being funded?

(1) Are there restrictions on the use of certain funds? 

(2) What record keeping is required to ensure reimbursement? 

c. What agencies are involved in the operation?

(1) What agency has the primary responsibility for the operation? 

(2) Will the military chain of command be organized as a JTF? 

(3) Will SOF operate in the JOA during the operation? 

(4) What is the medical capability of participating agencies? 

(5) Will civilian or interagency MTFs be utilized (clinics, health centers, or 

hospitals)? 

(a) What capabilities do they possess? 

(b) Will they require augmentation by military medical personnel? 

(c) Can medical resources be shared? 
 Planning Checklists 

L-9 

(d) How will medical credentials and reimbursements be managed? 

d. What is the terrorist threat in the JOA? 

e. How will MTF and medical resources document the furnished medical care? 

9. Preventive Medicine Considerations 

a. Where will military personnel be billeted?

(1) Will military personnel be billeted in military facilities, housed in makeshift 

facilities or in a field environment? Are there sufficient sanitary facilities? 

(2) Have site surveys been conducted for areas to be occupied by JTF military 

personnel? 

(3) If a site survey was conducted, were any areas determined to be hazardous 

due to sewage overflow, vector borne, or other arthropod infestation, or soil contaminated 

by toxic industrial material? And, can adverse environmental conditions at the site be 

corrected? 

(4) Will there be requirements for pest management operations where military 

personnel will be billeted? 

(a) Will aerial spray missions be required? 

(b) Will rodent control operations be required? 

(5) What sources of water are available to multinational force personnel? 

(a) What water sources are to be used during the operation? 

(b) What established water systems are within the JOA? 

(c) Are streams, lakes, ponds, reservoirs, or other natural sources available? 

(d) If water is available, will the water require treatment prior to 

consumption? 

(e) How will wastewater be managed and disposed? 

(6) What personal protective equipment and supplies are required for the 

operation? 

(7) Have multinational force personnel received personal protective measures 

training? 

(8) Will JTF personnel require acclimation to the environment within JOA? 

And, will work/rest cycles be required to assist with acclimation to the JOA? 
Appendix L 

L-10 JP 4-02 

(9) What are the deployment health surveillance requirements, and for who are 

they indicated? 

(10) Have the required deployment health surveillance programs been 

established for pre-, during, and post-operations? 

(11) What PVNTMED support will US military personnel provide to other 

members of the multinational force? 

b. Will there be laboratory support for the diagnosis of diseases?

(1) What laboratory capabilities will medical units deployed during the 

operation possess? 

(2) If laboratory capability is not sufficient in the JOA, where will this support 

be obtained? 

(3) Are civilian laboratories available in the JOA to process laboratory 

specimens required to diagnose disease? 

c. How will medical waste be collected and disposed? 

d. Are refugee and displaced civilians anticipated? 

(1) Are sufficient sanitation facilities planned and available to support refugees 

and supported civilian populations? 

(2) Are sufficient PVNTMED resources planned and available to support 

refugees and displaced civilians? 

(3) How will coordination with international organizations be handled (such as, 

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, International Organization for 

Migration)? 

(4) Has coordination with civil affairs personnel been established? 

(5) How will unaccompanied minors be managed? 

(6) If a child requires evacuation, will the child’s parent and/or other family 

members be allowed to travel with the child? 

e. What is the health threat within the JOA?

(1) What are the endemic or epidemic disease threats? 

(2) Are disease outbreaks seasonally related? 

(3) Are there hazardous flora and fauna in the JOA? 
 Planning Checklists 

L-11 

(4) What are the OEH threats? 

(5) What are the arthropod borne, food borne, and water borne disease threat? 

(6) Is there a threat from the potential use of CBRN warfare agents? 

(7) Do all multinational force members’ health screening processes meet the 

multinational force requirements? 

(8) Have any of the participating nations conducted previous operations in the 

proposed JOA and documented the health threat? 

(9) Are immunizations or chemoprophylaxis available to counter the disease 

threat? And, have participating nations of the multinational force been immunized and/or 

provided chemoprophylaxis? Also, do members of the multinational force plan to 

immunize their personnel to US standards? 

10. Health Support Facilities and Hospitalization Considerations 

a. What medications resources are already in the JOA? And what is their capability? 

(1) What is the total number of medical and surgical beds and ancillary support 

services? 

(2) Will additional MTFs be phased into the JOA as the operation progresses 

and the theater matures? 

(3) Will patients require further evacuation for definitive treatment? 

(4) What are the capabilities of HN and friendly neighboring nations MTFs? 

And can they be utilized as a shared resource? 

(5) Are organic dental resources deployed with the medical resource? 

b. Will non-US physicians and nonmilitary physicians be permitted to treat patients 

in a US MTF in the JOA? 

c. If non-US physicians and nonmilitary physicians are permitted to treat patients in 

a US MTF, who will provide credentialing? 

d. Has a formulary been established for prescription drugs? 

(1) Does it include medications for diseases endemic to the operations area? 

(2) Does the formulary include medications that may be required for FHA and 

disaster relief operations? 

(3) Does the formulary include medications in forms usable for infants and 

children?
Appendix L 

L-12 JP 4-02 

(4) Have off-the-shelf options for medications for FHA been considered (such 

as, World Health Organization emergency health kits)? 

e. During disaster relief operations, what behavioral health support will be available 

for victims, caregivers, and rescuers?

(1) Will the joint force be required to provide behavioral health support to other 

agencies and individuals supporting the operation? 

(2) Will civilian and/or NGO behavioral health become available to provide 

support to victims, caregivers, and rescuers? 

f. What behavioral health intervention support will be available should a terrorist 

incident occur? 

g. What JTF MTFs will be designated for the care of detainees? 

11. Medical Regulating and Evacuation Considerations 

a. What is the theater patient movement policy? 

b. What infrastructure is available for patient evacuation? 

c. What airfields are available for intratheater and intertheater AE? 

d. How will patients be regulated?

(1) Will casualties go to the same MTF or will they be dispersed among various 

facilities in the JOA? 

(2) Who will perform the medical regulating function? 

e. Who will be responsible for MEDEVAC support? 

f. How will MEDEVAC support be requested?

(1) Will communications interoperability and capability issues exist between the 

evacuation platforms and the medical regulating authority? 

(2) How will the supporting MEDEVAC unit be contacted? 

(3) What type of MEDEVAC request format will be required? 

g. Will an AE team and AE crew be activated for the operation?

h. Will a JPMRC be activated for the operation?

(1) How will PMIs be handled? 
 Planning Checklists 

L-13 

(2) Will a PMI center be established? 

(3) Will a PMI pool be established to facilitate the immediate exchange and 

resupply of PMI?

(4) Will a process be established at strategic patient movement hubs to recover 

PMIs and return them to the PMI pool?

(5) When PMIs are recovered, will a technical inspection and maintenance be 

performed on all PMIs prior to their return to the PMI pool to ensure they are in issueready condition?

(6) Will a procedure be established that will facilitate the inclusion of PMI 

exchange requests with the AE requests so that the correct PMI can be replaced when the 

patient is transferred through the AE system? 

i. Will an MASF be established for staging patients awaiting AE aircraft?

(1) Once patients have arrived at the MASF, how long can they be held? 

(2) If a patient’s flight is cancelled, who will pick up the patients and sustain 

them until the next scheduled flight? 

(3) If a patient is on medical equipment, will there be an exchange of medical 

equipment or the equipment remains with the patient? 

(4) What medical capability will be established at the aerial point of debarkation 

or airfield to receive incoming patients and prepare them for further evacuation to the 

next role of care? 

(5) If patients are to be moved to a casualty receiving and treatment ship, are AE 

personnel qualified for deck landing? 

j. Are high capacity air ambulance operations anticipated for MEDEVACs? What 

will be the requirements for commencing these operations? 

12. Medical Logistics Considerations 

a. What is the source of Class VIII materiel?

(1) Will Class VIII materiel and resupply be obtained through conventional 

military channels? 

(2) What is the funding source for use of military Class VIII materiel? 

(3) Will they be provided by other USG agencies or non-DOD entities? 

(4) Will donated medical items be used in disaster relief and FHA operations? 
Appendix L 

L-14 JP 4-02 

(5) If donated items are to be used, what agency will be responsible for 

receiving, storing, repackaging, and distributing these items? Will this be accomplished 

by another USG department or agency or NGO? Or will the JTF be responsible for this 

mission? 

b. Will blood and blood products be required by the mission? 

(1) Are there any cultural, religious, or social prohibitions on the use of blood 

and blood products for any of the multinational force members? 

(2) Will the US be required to provide blood and blood products support to 

multinational force members?

c. Will the GCC’s designated TLAMM provide MEDLOG support for the operation?

d. Will MEDLOG forward distribution teams be considered for seaport of 

debarkation, aerial port of debarkation, forward operating bases, intermediate staging 

bases, forward logistic sites, advanced logistic support sites, bases, and forward staging 

bases?

e. How will medical equipment maintenance and repair be accomplished? 

(1) What medical capability can be organized to provide this support? 

(2) Where will units providing this support be located? 

(3) Is this support available within the JOA? 

(4) Can this support be contracted? 

13. Veterinary Service Considerations 

a. Will military working dogs, other government-owned animals, or civilian working 

dogs be used during the operation?

(1) What is the military working dog population to be supported? 

(2) Will augmentation of veterinary medicine personnel be required for the 

operation? 

(3) Will veterinary medicine personnel be required to provide care and treatment 

of other government-owned animals, and civilian working dogs such as search and rescue 

dogs? 

b. Will animal husbandry programs be established and/or supported during the 

operation? 

c. How are animals requiring evacuation managed? 
 Planning Checklists 

L-15 

(1) Will transportation assets (ground/air) be designated for animal evacuations? 

(2) Will dog handlers accompany military working dogs during evacuations? 

(3) If animals are unable to accompany handlers, can they be sedated before 

evacuation? 

d. What are the zoonotic disease threats to military working dogs and governmentowned animals in the JOA?

(1) Will zoonotic disease surveillance be conducted? 

(2) Will epidemiological investigations be conducted when outbreaks of 

transmissible diseases occur? 

(3) What coordination is required with the HN and/or national contingents? 

e. What are the immunization requirements for military working dogs and 

government-owned animals deploying in the JOA?

f. Will there be a requirement for food processing and distribution site assistance? 

g. How will rations operations be conducted? 

(1) Will food be procured from local sources? 

(2) Will personnel subsist on meals ready to eat or will other types of rations be 

available? 

(3) Is there a requirement to inspect food for wholesomeness and quality and 

food sources for safety and defense? 

14. Medical Communications Considerations 

a. What is the medical communications system and intelligence plan? 

b. Can the medical C2 elements communicate with all critical parties? 

15. Medical Civil-Military Operations 

a. General Planning Considerations

(1) Will medical personnel conduct or support civil-military operations? 

(2) What is the political-military desired end state? 

(3) How will medical civil-military operations the commander’s intent and the 

desired political-military end state? 
Appendix L 

L-16 JP 4-02 

(4) Who has the JFC designated as the lead for medical civil-military 

operations? Civil affairs? JFS? How will civil affairs and JFS efforts be coordinated? 

(5) What medical resources do civil affairs have? 

(6) Do medical civil-military operations interfere with the traditional medical 

mission? 

(7) Has the JFC been advised of the capabilities/limitations and major issues 

involved in the medical civil-military operations? 

(8) How will the JTF best support the HN, if the HN does not have a clear longterm strategy? 

(9) What other USG departments or agencies are involved? Who is “supported” 

and who is “supporting”? 

(10) What multinational agencies are active in the JOA? 

(11) What NGOs and IGOs are active in the JOA? 

(12) What is the role of other USG and multinational agencies? Are projects 

better performed by one of these agencies? 

(13) Have all restraints and constraints under Title 10, USC, and related DODDs 

and DODIs been fulfilled? 

(14) Has the independence/impartiality/neutrality of the NGO/IGO community 

been acknowledged and respected to allow for the mutual exchange of information? 

b. How will medical civil-military operations/activities be coordinated?

(1) Have liaisons with civil affairs personnel been established? 

(2) Has a civil-military operations been established? And, has a medical liaison 

officer to the civil-military operations been appointed? 

(3) What other civil-military coordination mechanisms are present (United 

Nation’s on-site operations coordination center, humanitarian operations center, and so 

on)? And, do they have medical working groups? 

(4) Have projects been coordinated with information operations and the media? 

(5) Has coordination with civil engineers been considered for water/sanitation 

projects? 

(6) Have existing projects of other agencies been taken into account, to avoid 

duplication of effort? 
 Planning Checklists 

L-17 

(7) Have humanitarian and civil assistance, humanitarian assistance programexcess property, and FHA (other) missions been coordinated with Department of State 

and HN? 

c. Are the JFC resources adequate to conduct medical civil-military operations? 

(1) Does the medical force have the right 

training/resources/personnel/equipment to conduct medical civil-military operations 

(such as training in civil-military operations, information operations, civilmilitary/interagency relations, FHA, traditional medicine, cultural issues, language skills, 

and appropriate medical subspecialties [public health, pediatrics, tropical medicine, 

geriatrics])? 

(2) Do medical personnel have training or experience in civil-military operations 

(language/cultural skills, civil-military/interagency/humanitarian training, or experience)? 

And, does the JTF have the appropriate personnel to conduct medical civil-military 

operations (public health, pediatrics, adequate number of female providers, and so on)? 

(3) Will other multinational force nations conduct or support medical civilmilitary support operations? 

(4) Do projects detract from the multinational force’s mission of providing 

security for other humanitarian actors to work (humanitarian space)? 

(5) What equipment will be required for the mission (vehicles, radios, 

specialized equipment for public health, and equipment for pediatric and geriatric care)? 

(6) Who will provide security? 

(7) Who will provide translation and interpretation support? 

(8) If the decision is made to emphasize capacity-building projects for the HN, 

have off-the-shelf courses for this purpose been considered (Defense Institute for Medical 

Operations, Defense Medical Training Institute, and so on)? 

(9) Have local resources been used to the maximum extent possible? 

(10) What funding sources will be used? Title 10, USC, humanitarian and civil 

assistance, FHA, humanitarian assistance program-excess property? Overseas 

humanitarian disaster and civic aid? Central Emergency Response Fund (United 

Nations)? Or other funding sources? 

(11) What are the restraints/constraints of each funding source? 

d. Has a needs assessment preceded medical civil-military operations?

(1) What other assessment and surveys by other agencies have been 

accomplished? 
Appendix L 

L-18 JP 4-02 

(2) Has the HN been involved in the assessment process? 

e. Will there be an equal exchange of information with agencies/NGOs and IGOs?

(1) Will the joint force share information that does not compromise force 

protection, but may be useful to civilian agencies? 

(2) Have efforts been made to avoid unnecessarily classifying information that 

may be useful to partner agencies and nations? And, has this been discussed with the 

joint force J-2? 

f. Have HN issues been adequately considered?

(1) Will the HN be considered the lead and the JTF the supporting element? 

(2) Will projects enhance the legitimacy of the HN? 

(3) Will projects boost the population’s confidence in the HN? 

g. How will projects be selected?

(1) Will projects emphasize capacity building (developing medical societies, 

training public health personnel, and so on)? 

(2) Have local cultural and religious issues been considered (including 

traditional medicine, female providers for female patients, and so on)? 

(3) How will medical civil-military operations projects be tracked? 

(4) How will locations of projects be listed and standardized? Map grid 

references? Street addresses? 

h. What standard of care will apply if medical care is delivered to civilians? The 

HN? International consensus standards? Has the HN been involved in this decision?

i. What measures of effectiveness will be used? 

j. Have all potential negative effects of medical civil-military operations been 

considered? 

(1) How will parallel medical systems be avoided? 

(2) How will dependency be avoided? 

(3) How will duplication of effort be avoided? 

(4) What long-term impact will the projects have? 
 Planning Checklists 

L-19 

(5) What is the potential economic impact of medical civil-military 

operations/activities (such as, direct food aid may cause market prices to drop and 

discourage agriculture)? 

(6) Do projects raise unrealistic expectations in the HN population? 

(7) Does the activity distort the distinction between civilian and military 

agencies? 

(8) Will projects be sustainable by the HN, United Nations, or other agencies? 

(9) Who will provide follow-up and continuity of care if direct patient care 

activities are rendered? 

(10) What are the plans to transition responsibility for public health and other 

medical projects back to the HN or other appropriate authority (US, multinational joint 

task force, and so on)? 

SECTION C. HEALTH SUPPORT CHECKLIST FOR MULTINATIONAL 

OPERATIONS 

16. General Mission Analysis Considerations 

a. What type of operation is being considered? 

(1) If it is stability operations, is it disaster relief, FHA, or peace operations? 

(a) If it is a disaster relief, FHA, or peace operations, will action be 

unilateral or multinational? What are potential countries? And, what type of health 

support will they provide? 

(b) If mission is a disaster relief, FHA, or peace operation, what type of 

military personnel may be used to resolve the crisis or conflict, and how might they best 

be supported medically? 

(c) If it is disaster relief, FHA, or peace operation, what other resources are 

available (civil affairs, interagency community, International Committee of the Red 

Cross, and so on) to collect additional medical information about the threat, crisis, 

conflict, or region? 

(d) Will the supported population for the operation be comprised of federal 

agency employees, government contractors, NGO and international organization 

personnel (American Red Cross workers/volunteers, US Agency for International 

Development workers), allied personnel, and/or civilian personnel (foreign nationals, 

victims, and rescuers)? 

(e) Will JTF medical units provide medical care only to personnel deployed 

in support of the operation or will care be provided to the civilian population? 
Appendix L 

L-20 JP 4-02 

(f) Has a determination regarding eligibility for care and patient for 

nonmilitary or allied personnel been established? 

(g) How is the operation being funded? Are there restrictions on the use of 

certain funds? What record keeping is required to ensure reimbursement? 

(h) What agencies are involved in the operation? And, what is the medical 

capability? 

(i) What agency has the primary responsibility for the operation? 

(j) Will the military chain of command be organized as a JTF? 

(k) Will SOF operate in the JOA during the operation? 

(l) Will civilian or interagency MTFs be utilized (clinics, health centers, or 

hospitals)? 

1. What capabilities do they possess? 

2. Will they require augmentation by military medical personnel? 

3. Can medical resources be shared? 

(m) Are there specific cultural, religious, or social considerations which 

may impact health support during stability operations? 

(2) Are major operations being considered as part of a multinational force? 

(a) Will combat operations be conducted under the sponsorship of the US? 

(b) Will the US serve as the lead nation of the multinational force? 

(c) What is the size and composition of the US force? 

(d) How many other nations will participate? And, what is the size of each 

nation’s contingent? 

(e) What is the C2 structure of the multinational force? Will there be a 

multinational medical staff to plan for multinational-based medical operations? 

(f) What are the medical capabilities of the multinational force? What 

medical personnel, units, and equipment will other nations of the multinational force 

possess? 

(g) Who has been designated to provide health support to the multinational 

force? Will each nation provide all aspects of health support for their military personnel? 

What support will each nation require from the JTF? 
 Planning Checklists 

L-21 

(h) Will a multinational medical unit or a single nation be designated to 

provide health support for all nations in the multinational force? 

(i) Will medical tasks/responsibilities be distributed to individual 

multinational nations (such as, MEDEVAC given to nation A, blood given to nation B, 

ground transportation to nation C)? 

(j) Will each nation provide medical liaison officers to participating nations’ 

surgeon’s offices? 

(k) Will US military personnel be treated by multinational health support? 

What are the education, training and experience level of multinational health care 

professionals? How will providers be credentialed? Who has credentialing authority? 

(l) Will members of the multinational force be eligible for care at US MTFs 

within the multinational operational area? 

1. If members of the multinational force are treated at US MTFs, will 

there be a mechanism in place to return them to their parent nation for continued medical 

care? How will medical information be exchanged? How will it be safeguarded? How 

will copies of radiographs, ultrasounds, and so on, be managed and exchanged? 

2. Will there be costs associated with multinational force personnel that 

are treated at US MTFs? Or US personnel treated at multinational force MTF? How will 

reimbursements be managed? 

(m) If there are only US MTFs within the multinational force area of 

responsibility, who will evacuate multinational force patients to their homeland? What 

coordination will be required to return a multinational force patient to his nation’s MTFs? 

(n) Who will ensure communications equipment compatibility, 

standardization of radio frequencies, reports formats, treatment protocols, and 

requirements for equipment with allied multinational medical units? 

(o) Has a standardized operational and medical terminology reference guide 

been established to facilitate the synchronization of medical efforts, and minimize 

misinterpretation with allied multinational medical units? 

(p) Will participating nations of the multinational force comply with the 

provisions of the Geneva Conventions? 

(q) Are there specific cultural, religious, or social considerations, which 

may impact health support during major operations? 

b. How will EPWs, detained personnel, and HN civilian care be managed?

(1) How will local nationals be transferred from JTF multinational military 

personnel to HN facilities? 
Appendix L 

L-22 JP 4-02 

(2) What will be the disposition of EPWs that require more care than the 

multinational force can provide? 

(3) How will EPWs who are ready to be released from medical care be 

dispositioned? 

(4) How will deceased HN civilians and EPWs be managed? 

c. What is the terrorist threat in the JOA? 

d. Will laboratory support provide for the identification and confirmation of 

biological and chemical warfare agents and support selected biomonitoring requirements?

(1) Will there be a laboratory in the JOA with the capability to test and provide 

field confirmation of suspected biological and chemical agents? 

(2) Will laboratory support be available in the JOA to support any in-theater 

biomonitoring requirements for the documentation of selected exposures to chemical 

warfare agents or environmental agents? 

(3) If this capability is not available in the JOA, how will this support be 

obtained? 

(4) How will the chain of custody be maintained for these biological and 

chemical specimens? 

(5) Will the US and multinational JTF accept laboratory results from a non-US 

laboratory? 

17. Medical Treatment Facilities and Hospitalization Considerations 

a. What MTFs and medical resources are planned for the theater/JOA? 

(1) What is the total number of medical and surgical beds and ancillary support 

services required for the mission? 

(2) Are interpreters available to translate patient complaints to attending medical 

personnel? 

b. What medical resources are already in the JOA? And what is their capability?

(1) What is the total number of medical and surgical beds and ancillary support 

services? 

(2) Will additional MTFs be phased into the JOA as the operation progresses 

and the theater matures? 

(3) Will patients require further evacuation for definitive treatment? 
 Planning Checklists 

L-23 

(4) What are the capabilities of HN and friendly neighboring countries MTFs? 

And can they be utilized as a shared resource? 

(5) Are organic dental resources deployed with the medical resource? 

c. What units will provide dental service for the multinational force? 

(1) Will organic dental resources be deployed? 

(2) Where will dental resources be located? 

(3) Will each nation have field dental services deployed in the multinational 

force JOA? 

(4) Will one nation provide dental support to the multinational force? 

(5) Will a preventive dentistry program be implemented for US military 

personnel and/or multinational military personnel in the theater? 

(6) What dental conditions will necessitate the evacuation of patients from the 

theater? 

(7) How will dental patients be evacuated for emergency and essential 

comprehensive treatment? 

d. What behavioral health support will be available for multinational force 

operations? 

(1) Will US military personnel be required to provide behavioral health support 

to members of the multinational force, other agencies and individuals supporting the 

operation? 

(2) During stability operations (FHA, disaster relief), will civilian and/or NGO 

behavioral health be available to provide support to victims, caregivers, and rescuers? 

(3) What behavioral health intervention support will be available should a 

terrorist incident occur? 

e. What multinational JTF MTFs will be designated for the care of detainees?

f. What notification procedures are required when a multinational force member is 

admitted to a US MTF?

(1) Who notifies the member’s national contingent? 

(2) How and when will the patient be transferred to their national contingent? 
Appendix L 

L-24 JP 4-02 

SECTION D. CHECKLIST FOR HEALTH SERVICE SUPPORT PLANNING 

18. General Considerations 

a. Are the medical tasks, functions, and responsibilities delineated and assigned? 

b. Is a comprehensive deployment health surveillance plan developed? 

Predeployment (such as predeployment health assessments, serum samples collected, 

preliminary hazard assessment conducted and PVNTMED countermeasures integrated 

into the plan); deployment OEH surveillance (e.g., environmental baseline surveys, OEH 

site assessments, routine and incident-specific occupational and environmental 

monitoring and DNBI/BI statistics); and post-deployment health assessments, serum 

sample collection actions fully planned, with responsibility delineated and task assigned? 

c. Are there any specific plans, policies, agreements, or treaties to consider? 

d. Are provisions made to provide emergency medical assistance to US nationals 

(Federal government employees, contractors, retirees, civilians, NGOs, IGOs) in the JOA 

and to EPW, detainees, civilian internees, dislocated civilians, and any others? 

e. Has the theater patient movement policy been established? If so, have 

requirements for hospitals and patient movement workload been identified? 

f. Are all units on the TPFDD and scheduled for timely arrival, including sufficient 

PVNTMED assets to protect the health of the personnel as they begin to arrive in theater 

(time of highest health risk). 

g. Are procedures in place to obtain population at risk data from the personnel 

community at least once weekly for the calculation of DNBI workload? 

h. Has a theater level laboratory been established/designated? 

i. Have estimates of medical sustainability and anticipated resupply requirements 

been established? 

j. Has a JTF JPMRC been established to coordinate movement of patients within and 

out of the assigned JOA? 

k. Has a blood program system been established? 

l. Has a JBPO been activated to plan and coordinate the handling, storage, and 

distribution of blood and blood products within the assigned JOA and consolidate and 

forward resupply requirements to the ASBPO? 

m. Have medical personnel augmentation packages been identified and requirements 

submitted? Do hospitals have enough personnel and equipment to support movement of 

critical patients? Are there sufficient litters, straps, blankets, and other supplies as 

required, to support anticipated workload? 
 Planning Checklists 

L-25 

n. Has a medical patient movement policy been established? 

o. Have the numbers, types, and locations of patient movement conveyances been 

identified? Are they sufficient to meet the projected workload? 

p. Has an evacuation plan for ground and air ambulances been prepared? 

q. Are noncombatant evacuees a consideration for health support? 

r. Are sufficient AE staging assets planned or in place? 

s. Are AE liaison teams located at key locations within each component’s medical 

system? 

t. Have PVNTMED procedures been established and sufficient personnel identified 

to ensure protection of the health and well-being of personnel assigned to the JTF? 

u. Have medical communications channels, frequencies to be used by medical 

personnel, and all medical communications requirements been identified? 

v. What medical and nonmedical threats could impact medical operations and 

requirements? What finished medical intelligence products are available from the NCMI 

on the JOA? 

w. Has the supported commander requested that the NCMI be tasked to provide an 

area medical threat assessment? Have medical planners identified and received all 

required threat information, medical and nonmedical, needed for effective planning? 

x. What military forces are involved? What are their organic medical capabilities? 

y. Have medical rules of eligibility for HN and multinational forces been 

established? 

z. If other nations are involved, what are their unique medical requirements? 

aa. Are HN medical support systems in place? 

bb. What are the medical reporting requirements and have responsibilities been 

assigned to meet requirements? 

cc. Should civilian contracts for medical support be considered? 

dd. Is pre-regulation of patients to specific MTFs required? 

ee. Are sufficient supplies and equipment in place; has a program for sustainability 

and resupply been established; is a single integrated theater MEDLOG system required? 

ff. Has liaison or coordination with other agencies been established? 
Appendix L 

L-26 JP 4-02 

gg. Have all other areas of joint health support been addressed such as dental health, 

behavioral health, and veterinary support? 

hh. Have special teams been identified and contacted to provide reachback 

consultation as needed? 

ii. Ensure religious support teams are in place to provide service to staff as well as 

sick and injured persons. 

SECTION E. HEALTH SUPPORT CHECKLIST FOR CRISIS ACTION 

PLANNING 

19. Crisis Action Planning Phase I: Situation Monitoring 

a. Monitor the situation and maintain situational awareness. 

(1) What is the nature of the crisis? Noncombatant evacuation operation? 

Possible FHA operation? Foreign consequence management? Combat? Terrorism? 

(2) If noncombatant evacuation operation is anticipated, has a contact listing 

phone numbers of embassy health officials been established? 

(3) Will action be unilateral or multinational? What are potential countries? 

What type of health support will they provide? 

(4) What is the current situation (who, what, when, where, and why)? 

(5) What military personnel are available? 

(a) Who’s ready? 

(b) What is their actual readiness status? 

(c) Do they meet deployment requirements? 

(6) What type of military personnel may be used to resolve the crisis or conflict, 

and how might they best be supported medically? 

(7) If combined action is possible, what type of medical support could be 

required or provided by other nations? 

(8) Are there any major constraints on employment of military personnel? What 

is the environmental assessment? 

(9) What staff actions are being taken? 

(10) What courses of action are being considered? 

(11) What is the expected time for earliest commitment of military personnel? 
 Planning Checklists 

L-27 

(12) Have communications requirements been identified to include non-secure 

and secure channels, frequencies for medical personnel, and any medically dedicated or 

unique communications nets, operating procedures, or requirements? 

(13) Are there any medical communications systems that are already available in 

the area of responsibility and JOA? If so, what are their capabilities and how are the 

systems accessed? 

(14) How will the communications system support the passing of medical 

information, reports, and requests? 

b. Evaluate the event and incoming reports.

(1) Review critical intelligence report for medical significance. 

(2) Review operational report for medical significance. 

(3) Conduct review of existing OPLANs and CONPLANs for applicability to 

the area or situation. 

(4) Review and evaluate actions of the CCMD. 

(5) Evaluate disposition of assigned and available military personnel. 

(6) Evaluate status of theater transportation assets. 

(7) What nations are available to provide support for evacuation? 

(8) What infrastructure is available for patient evacuation? 

(9) Have deployment health surveillance requirements and PVNTMED 

procedures and countermeasures been established? 

(10) If authority to coordinate with in-place and out-of-JOA MTFs has been 

granted, has coordination already begun? 

c. Gather medical intelligence information and review available options.

(1) Have intelligence offices been coordinated with to provide appropriate 

medical information? 

(2) How should medical requirements be entered into the consolidated 

intelligence collection plan? 

(3) What other resources are available (civil affairs, interagency community, and 

so on) to collect additional medical information about the threat, crisis, conflict, or 

region? 
Appendix L 

L-28 JP 4-02 

(4) Are any in-place medical treatment facilities available for use including: US 

military assets, HN support, allied assets, or contracts with civilian organizations (such 

as, the International Committee of the Red Cross)? 

(5) Review and assess environmental conditions with medical implications that 

could adversely affect operations. 

d. Furnish required information to appropriate staff directorates and provide support 

as needed. 

e. Provide input (as required) to the commander’s assessment. 

f. Have medical units and personnel resources been identified? 

20. Crisis Action Planning Phase II: Planning 

a. Review warning order for specified and implied tasks. 

b. Conduct parallel planning. 

c. Review and consider environmental conditions with medical implications that 

could adversely affect operations. 

d. Evaluate available medical resources. 

(1) What medical military personnel are available? 

(2) What type of foreign military or civilian medical infrastructure is established 

within the JOA? What and where are its key elements? 

(3) Has the medical supply and resupply status of each Service component been 

reported? 

(4) Have provisions for emergency resupply been established? 

(5) Have medical sustainability and resupply requirements been identified? 

(6) Have provisions been made within the area of responsibility/JOA to provide 

support to US national, EPWs, civilian internees, non-entitled civilians, refugees, and 

other detained persons? 

(7) Has AE support been properly requested and coordinated, and does the 

proposed AE support include sufficient crews, equipment sets, staging facilities, and 

medical supplies? 

e. Review status of strategic lift assets.

(1) Has a supportable patient movement policy been established? 
 Planning Checklists 

L-29 

(2) Has a JPMRC been established? 

(3) What airfields are available for intratheater and intertheater AE? 

f. Evaluate patient movement from point of injury to the US.

g. Act to improve force readiness and sustainability.

(1) Has medical procedures and countermeasures been established? 

(2) Has the medical intelligence preparation of the operational environment 

information been provided to the J-2 for inclusion in the joint intelligence preparation of 

the operational environment? 

h. If a noncombatant evacuation operation is anticipated, the JFS and joint medical 

planner should consider the following:

(1) How many of the noncombatants and civilians are known to require medical 

care? 

(2) What is the current condition of the noncombatants and civilians to be 

evacuated? Are there existing medical conditions? 

(3) Where are these noncombatants and civilians, and is there a published plan 

addressing their collection prior to evacuation? 

(4) Is a permissive or nonpermissive noncombatant evacuation operation 

anticipated, and how best can it be medically supported? 

(5) Are there any civilian casualty projections for the noncombatant evacuation 

operation? 

(6) What is the MEDEVAC policy for noncombatant evacuation operation 

casualties? 

(7) Has the Department of State authorized pets to accompany noncombatant 

evacuation operation evacuees? Does the US Department of Agriculture or other 

department or agency prohibit any animals from entry into the US? 

(8) What will be done with pets brought to evacuation control points? 

i. Other Medical Considerations.

(1) If foreign governments have made any humanitarian, civil, or security 

assistance medical requests, how can they be supported? 

(2) Are there any treaties, or legal, HN, or status-of forces agreements between 

the US and involved foreign governments that have medical significance? 
Appendix L 

L-30 JP 4-02 

(3) Are there any OPLANs or CONPLANs for the area or situation? 

(4) Has direct liaison with embassy health officials been authorized and 

established? 

j. Develop and evaluate COAs using JOPES automated data processing. 

(1) Are all medical units, to include AE liaison team and air crews, on the timephased force and deployment list and scheduled for timely arrival? 

(2) Identify operational and sustainment military personnel and generate medical 

requirement estimates using the JMPT. 

(3) What reception and operations support facilities are required and available? 

And who will provide health support for JRSOI? 

(4) If an intermediate staging base is required, what medical units should be 

positioned there? 

k. Coordinate involvement of subordinates.

(1) Who are the JTF Service component surgeons? 

(2) Have medical tasks, functions, and responsibilities been delineated and 

assigned to the joint force Service component medical units? 

(3) Has required medical coordination with allies and the HN been conducted? 

(4) Has joint force Service components identified and requested medical 

personnel augmentation for the medical units and MTFs? 

l. Review existing OPLANs for applicability.

(1) What medical assets are provided for in the OPLAN? 

(2) What medical assets are provided for in the draft OPORD? 

m. Provide input (as necessary) to commander’s estimate to CJCS.

(1) What precisely must be accomplished in the crisis to strengthen the 

objectives established by the President? 

(2) What precisely must be accomplished in the crisis to support the objectives 

established by the President? 

n. Analyze COAs, as directed.

(1) Review and determine what specific medical factors affect the COA under 

consideration. 
 Planning Checklists 

L-31 

(2) Identify military personnel. 

(3) What types and amounts of logistic support are available from friendly and 

allied nations? 

(4) What military personnel are readily available and when could they arrive on 

the scene? 

(5) Is the selected COA medically supportable with currently available medical 

assets? 

(6) If not, will required medical assets be available before mission execution? 

(7) If not, has the CCDR/JFC been made aware of the risks? 

o. Assist creating deployment database in JOPES for each COA. 

p. Coordinate medical sustainment calculations and movement requirements. 

(1) Are all medical units-to include AE liaison team and air crews-on the timephased force and deployment list and scheduled for timely arrival? 

(2) What airports and seaports are available to friendly military personnel? 

What medical support will be required at these locations? 

q. Review CCDR’s COAs.

(1) Is available health support adequate to support planned operations? If not, 

what additional assets are required and how will the joint force request them? 

(2) What specific medical factors affect the actions under consideration? 

r. Identify limitations and deficiencies in the preferred COA that must be brought to 

the commander’s attention. 

s. Assist in refining medical requirements. 

t. Prepare medical deployment estimate for each COA. 

u. Ensure medical input into deployment estimate to supported commander. 

v. Monitor COA development. (What is the backup COA?) 

w. Plan for medical sustainment. 

(1) Has a TLAMM been considered? 

(2) Has an AJBPO been established? 
Appendix L 

L-32 JP 4-02 

(3) Has the handling, storage, and distribution of blood and blood products been 

planned and coordinated with the appropriate entities? 

(4) How will Class VIIIA and B (Blood) be sustained? Theater MEDLOG 

management center/TLAMM? Accounts established? 

x. Provide medical input to OPORD for approved COA.

(1) Is the medical portion of the OPORD ready to be published? 

(2) Does OPORD address assistance to US nationals, civilian internees, detained 

individuals, displaced persons, and EPWs? 

(3) Does OPORD provide medical guidance? 

y. Review force and unit-related support requirements.

(1) What is the status of communications? Have any dedicated or medically 

unique nets, procedures, or requirements been property identified and requested? 

(2) Have multiple means of communications been addressed? 

(3) What country clearances are required for overflight, landing, or staging for 

evacuation aircraft? What are the existing (or needed) agreements for overflight; staging; 

transit, and refueling for evacuation aircraft; and basing rights? 

z. Confirm first increment of movement requirements and fully functional AJBPO.

(1) Identify and resolve medical shortfalls and limitations.

(a) Have Class VIII responsibilities be established? 

(b) Have Class VIII channels be established? 

(2) Review the TPFDD.

(3) Identify early-deploying military personnel and assign tasks.

(a) Who will provide health support for joint reception, staging, onward 

movement, and integration? 

(b) Has medical procedures and countermeasures been established? 

(c) Has the medical intelligence preparation of the operational environment 

information been provided to components and early deploying military personnel? 

(4) Identify and plan for patient movement requirements.

(a) Is the JPMRC fully functional? 
 Planning Checklists 

L-33 

(b) Is the theater AE system planning complete? 

(c) Is sufficient theater AE assets in-place or programmed for early arrival? 

(d) Have primary and secondary AE airfields been identified? 

(e) Are AE liaison officers ready to locate at key locations within each joint 

force Service component medical system? 

(f) Do Service components understand that they are required to move 

patients to supporting AE staging facilities, and will they be able to do so? 

(5) Ensure that adequate transportation for health support is available to support 

approved COA. 

(6) Coordinate changes caused by conflicts and shortfalls. 

(7) Provide medical input to CCDR’s draft execute order. 

21. Crisis Action Planning Phase III: Execution 

a. Review CCDR’s/JFC’s execute order to ensure medical guidance to components. 

b. Monitor medical force deployment. 

c. Validate medical movement requirements as required. 

d. Coordinate with appropriate staff directorates and resolve reported shortfalls. 

e. Coordinate employment of medical units as required. 

f. Consider issuance of FRAGORDs to reiterate key medical themes and 

countermeasures, and publish medical CONOPS to joint force personnel. 

g. Report movement requirements as required. 

h. Coordinate medical sustainment for components. 

SECTION F. HEALTH SUPPORT CHECKLIST FOR HUMANITARIAN 

ASSISTANCE SURVEY TEAM AND ADVANCED ECHELON TEAM 

22. Foreign Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team and Advanced Echelon Team 

Planning Considerations 

a. Team—Personnel planning considerations.

(1) Research and gather applicable country medical intelligence and establish 

medical guidance. 
Appendix L 

L-34 JP 4-02 

(2) Ensure all personal protective equipment is obtained. 

(3) Ensure all recommended chemoprophylaxis and immunizations are obtained. 

(4) Ensure orders correctly reflect personal data and authorized appropriate 

mission-related travel variations. 

(5) Pack appropriately for climate and duration of deployment. 

(6) Pack necessary professional gear and reference materials. 

(7) Research and gather predeployment country intelligence data (joint 

intelligence preparation of the operational environment). 

(8) Establish local POCs to deployment country (such as listing phone numbers 

of US embassy health officials). 

(9) Establish listing of infrastructure sites/locations to survey. 

(10) Establish reachback POCs. 

(11) Obtain a force protection threat analysis of the local area (source J-2). 

(12) Establish charter for mission accomplishments and deliverables. 

(13) Ensure that a security and emergency evacuation plan is in place for the 

humanitarian assistance survey team. 

b. Pre-advanced echelon and employment reception.

(1) Is medical site survey is being performed? 

(2) During the site survey, ensure the following issues are coordinated for 

deploying medical personnel prior to their arrival at the deployment country: 

(a) Billeting/Accommodations: __________________________________ 

(b) Phone Number at Accommodations: ___________________________ 

(c) Phone Number at area of responsibility or work phone: 

____________________________________________________________ 

(d) Cell Phone: _______________________________________________ 

(e) Radios: __________ Frequencies: _____________Call Sign: ________ 

(f) Dedicated transportation: _____________________________________ 
 Planning Checklists 

L-35 

(g) Translator (with a medical background preferred): 

_____________________________________________________________ 

c. General survey information.

(1) Surveyor: _____________________________________________________ 

(2) Unit of assignment: _____________________________________________ 

(3) Date of Survey: ________________________________________________ 

(4) Name of Site and location: _______________________________________ 

(5) Country: ______________________________________________________ 

(6) Map Grid Location: _____________________________________________ 

(7) Global positioning system latitude/longitude: ________________________ 

(8) Nature of contingency: ___________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(9) Summary of population affected (such as, demographics, size, origin): 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

d. Mission.

(1) Objective 1: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

(2) Objective 2: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

(3) Objective 3: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 
Appendix L 

L-36 JP 4-02 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

(4) Anticipated duration of potential mission:____________________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

(5) Desired end state: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

e. US embassy information.

(1) US embassy on Site? YES NO 

(2) Point of contact numbers for US embassy: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(3) Does the US embassy have a clinic and medical staff? 

YES NO 

(4) If Yes, describe personnel and capabilities: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(5) If No, where does staff obtain medical care? Describe: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(6) Does the US embassy have access to a periodic regional medical officer? 

(7) If Yes, list location and POC numbers: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

f. Military Personnel Strength to be Supported. 

(1) US military personnel. 

(a) US Army ___________________________________ 
 Planning Checklists 

L-37 

(b) US Navy ___________________________________ 

(c) US Air Force ________________________________ 

(d) US Marines _________________________________ 

(2) Multinational Military Personnel (if authorized). 

(a) North Atlantic Treaty Organization _______________________ 

(b) United Nations________________________________________ 

(c) Other/Origin _________________________________________ 

(3) Number of American Citizens _______________________________ 

(4) US Agency for International Development on site? 

YES No 

(5) International governmental organizations, NGOs, and so on on-site? 

YES NO 

(6) Third-country nationals of interest to Department of State? 

YES NO 

(7) If Yes, list: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(8) What is the general feeling towards working with American military? 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(9) Any other US and North Atlantic Treaty Organization civilians? 

NO YES, approx #_____________________________________________ 

(10) Any potential EPWs? NO YES, approx #_________________________ 

(11) If mission is a FHA, list number of: 

(a) Refugees __________________________________________________ 
Appendix L 

L-38 JP 4-02 

(b) Internally Displaced Persons___________________________________ 

(c) Other _____________________________________________________ 

(12) Identify key indigenous officers and population leaders: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

g. Demographics.

(1) Attach force protection threat analysis of the local area (source J-2). 

(2) General description of local civilian population: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(3) Are there any medically significant treaties or legal HNs or status-of-forces 

agreements? 

(4) If Yes, list potential impacts: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

_______________________________________________________________ 

(5) List any religious/social/political factors of medical significance: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(6) List any public health laws of significance: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

(7) Identify regional and local endemic diseases: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(8) Problematic seasonal diseases in the region and local population: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 
 Planning Checklists 

L-39 

(9) What is the occurrence of illnesses and deaths caused by temperature 

extremes? 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(10) Are there occurrences of the following diseases (check): 

(a) Malaria. 

(b) Diarrhea. 

(c) Cholera. 

(d) Measles. 

(e) Polio. 

(f) Hemorrhagic Fever. 

(g) Plague. 

(h) Dengue Fever. 

(i) Encephalitis. 

(j) Meningitis. 

(k) Tuberculosis. 

(l) Hepatitis. 

(m) Leptospirosis. 

(n) Yellow Fever. 

(o) Influenza. 

(p) Human immuno-deficiency virus. 

(q) Acquired immune deficiency syndrome. 

(r) Other _____________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(11) Prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases. 
Appendix L 

L-40 JP 4-02 

 High Average Low 

(12) What are the most common sexually transmitted diseases? 

________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(13) Are there any sexually transmitted disease education/prevention programs? 

Yes No 

(14) If Yes, describe: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(15) Are there any unexplained or undiagnosed illnesses/deaths among: 

(a) A significant population concentration. 

(b) Refugees. 

(c) Internally displaced persons. 

(16) If deaths are unexplained, include report on location, condition of area, 

number of ill/dead, demographics on affected population, and symptoms. Also, include 

occurrences of simultaneous deaths on livestock if applicable. 

________________________________________________________________

 _______________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

(17) Gender ratio/ethnicity composition: _______________________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(18) Description of overall nutritional status: ____________________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(19) Is there a significant population w/o proper amounts of food/water? 
 Planning Checklists 

L-41 

YES NO 

(20) Description of population hygiene: ________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(21) Is prostitution legal? Yes No 

(22) If Yes, describe requirements for legal status (health cards, regular 

checkups, and so on): 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

(23) Illegal drug type and availability: _________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(24) Is there a significant population experiencing an unusually high number of 

maternal or infant deaths? NO If YES, which population? ______________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

(25) What is the vaccination program available to the general public? 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(26) List measures to control outbreaks of diseases: _______________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(27) Number of medical military personnel trained/treating people to control 

outbreaks: 

________________________________________________________________

 (28) List number and capabilities of MTFs used to control outbreaks: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(29) List of common drugs used to control disease outbreaks of: 
Appendix L 

L-42 JP 4-02 

(a) Malaria. 

(b) Diarrhea. 

(c) Cholera. 

(d) Measles. 

(e) Polio. 

(f) Hemorrhagic Fevers. 

(g) Plague. 

(h) Dengue Fever. 

(i) Encephalitis. 

(j) Meningitis. 

(k) Tuberculosis. 

(l) Hepatitis. 

(m) Leptospirosis. 

(n) Yellow Fever. 

(o) Influenza. 

(p) Human immune-deficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency 

syndrome. 

(q) Rabies post exposure prophylaxis and human rabies vaccine. 

(r) Other _________________________________________________ 

(30) Does common treatments seem to control outbreaks? Yes No 

(31) Number and capabilities of mobile medical teams qualified to deal with 

disease outbreaks: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 
 Planning Checklists 

L-43 

(32) Provide list of IGO/NGOs operating in the operational area (include 

capabilities and contact numbers): 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

h. Environmental Health.

(1) Topography: Mountains Rainforest Desert 

(2) Climate: Tropical Humid Arctic Temperate 

(3) Temperature Ranges (degrees in Fahrenheit): 

(a) Summer __________ to __________ 

(b) Winter __________ to __________ 

(4) Significant seasonal variants (monsoon season, rainy season, winter, and so 

on): 

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

(5) Typical and extreme climate conditions possible during operations: _____ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

_______________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

(6) Include brief description and number of each: 

(a) Military airfields ________ 

(b) Civilian airfields ________ 

(c) Helicopter-pads ________ 

(d) Rail heads ________ 

(e) Seaports/beach sites _______ 

(7) Standard of living of the local population: 

 Excellent Average Poor Destitute 
Appendix L 

L-44 JP 4-02 

(8) Typical housing of local population: _______________________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(9) List local utility companies: _______________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(10) What is the primary source of power? ______________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(11) Is power available for: 

(a) Heat. 

(b) Light (electricity). 

(c) Hot water. 

(12) Status of power distribution grids: _________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(13) Are environmental standards stated and enforced in the area of 

responsibility? Yes No 

(a) If yes, include copies of environmental monitoring reports if available. 

(14) Acceptable levels of contaminants set by operational area (if available): 

(a) Water ____________________ 

(b) Soil ______________________ 

(c) Air ______________________ 

(15) List water sources (tanks, spring, groundwater, and so 

on):_____________________________________________________________ 

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 
 Planning Checklists 

L-45 

(16) What is the water quality? ______________________________________ 

(17) List systems, if any, used to treat local water (include status of each 

system): 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(18) Is there an adequate system to distribute water? Yes No 

(19) Is there adequate water pressure? Yes No 

(20) List foods most commonly eaten within the operational area: 

________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

(21) What local food products should be avoided? _______________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

_______________________________________________________________ 

(22) How is food commonly stored? __________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

_______________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

(23) Do food storage areas provide protection against climate, rodents, insects, 

other animals, and ultimately disease? YES NO 

(24) How is food commonly prepared? ________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(25) Would food handlers/suppliers meet US standards? 

YES NO 

(26) Are there any natural foods (berries, nuts) that are poisonous? 

YES NO If YES, what actions/supplies are needed if ingested? 

________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 
Appendix L 

L-46 JP 4-02 

(27) What types of zoonoses are prevalent and potentially transmissible from 

local insects, rodents, and other animals (such as, malaria/mosquitoes, leishmaniasis/flies, 

rabies/feral dog)? 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(28) What type of insect, rodent, or animal control is practiced? ____________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(29) What venomous insects, spiders, and reptiles are natural to the area? _____ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(30) Is adequate antivenom readily available? YES NO 

If YES, list closest source: ____________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(31) Are animals rabies vaccine readily available? What is closest source? 

(32) List all discovered and suspected common contaminates in local food and 

water: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(33) Describe hand-washing facilities, showers, and latrine facilities: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(34) Are septic systems used? YES NO 

(35) If YES, what is the condition of the septic tanks and drain fields? _______ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(36) What type of liquid waste disposal system is available? 
 Planning Checklists 

L-47 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(37) What is the condition of liquid waste drains from buildings? 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(38) How is solid waste disposed of (burial, burning, and so on)? 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(39) Will the deployed unit have to collect and dispose of solid waste or does the 

host-nation provide garbage and refuse disposal? 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(40) How is regulated medical waste disposed? 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(41) Is there history of accidental or intentional chemical/biological/nuclear 

releases in the operational area? YES NO 

(42) If YES, describe (include copies of historical records if possible): ________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(43) Potential Hazards: Chemical Biological Environmental 

Occupational 

(a) List potential hazards: 

1. Type: __________________________ 

2. Location: _______________________ 

3. Description: ____________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________

 _________________________________________________________ 
Appendix L 

L-48 JP 4-02 

4. Source cause (if known): ___________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________

 _________________________________________________________ 

(b) List potential hazards: 

1. Type: __________________________ 

2. Location: _______________________ 

3. Description: 

_________________________________________________________

 _________________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________ 

4. Source cause (if known): ___________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________

 _________________________________________________________ 

(44) Provide name/rank/contact information for (titles may be different; identify 

closest equivalent): 

(a) Director, Environmental Protection Agency ______________________ 

(b) Director, Food and Drug Administration ________________________ 

(c) Director, Housing Authority __________________________________ 

(d) Director of Utilities _________________________________________ 

(e) Chief, Waste Disposal and Management _________________________ 

i. Host-Nation Health Care System. 

(1) Is there a national health care system? Yes No 

(a) If YES, describe (include organizational chart if possible): 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(2) How does the general public access health care? 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 
 Planning Checklists 

L-49 

(3) What percentage of the HN gross national product goes towards health care? 

(4) What is the care policy for providing to: 

(a) Military members ___________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(b) General public ______________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(c)Nongovernmental organizations 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(d) Non-state actors ____________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(e) Internally displaced persons ___________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(f) Refugees __________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(5) Provide name/rank/contact information for (titles may be different; identify 

closest equivalent): 

(a) Chief, Department of Health (Ministry of Health) __________________ 

(b) Chief, Medical Division ____________________________________ 

(c) Chief, Medical Education Division _____________________________ 

(d) Chief, Medical Certification Division ___________________________ 

(e) Chief, Medical Mobilization Division ___________________________ 

(f) Chief, Medical Response Division ______________________________ 

j. Host-Nation Military Medicine/Health Care. 

(1) Is there a medical department within the military system? 

YES No 
Appendix L 

L-50 JP 4-02 

(a) If YES, number of medical personnel assigned to the 

military:______________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(2) Average level of medical education/training? HIGH MEDIUM 

(3) Include a wire diagram/organizational chart of the military medical system. 

(4) What services are provided by military medicine? 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(5) What is the care policy for providing to: 

(a) Military members___________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(b) Dependents________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(c) NGOs____________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(d) Non-state actors____________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(e) Internally displaced persons___________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(f) Refugees__________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(6) List any provisions made for medical care during civil unrest 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(7) What is the medical capability of the military during deployment/“in the 

field”? Include design of the MTF layout, medical services, supplies, and bed capacity: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 
 Planning Checklists 

L-51 

(8) Describe the chain of battlefield evacuation: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

k. Physical condition of military personnel from host/contributing nations. 

(1) Origin of military personnel: 

________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(2) Overall health condition: Excellent Good Average Poor 

(3) Overall morale: Excellent Good Average Poor 

(4) Overall status of immunizations: Current Not Current/No Record 

(5) Possess personal protective equipment: YES NO 

(6) Adequacy of clothing/equipment: Excellent Good Average Poor 

(7) Adequacy of food/water: Excellent Good Average Poor 

(8) What is the available medical care for contributing nation’s military? 

________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

_______________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

(9) What human immune-deficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency 

syndrome prevention programs does the contributing nation’s military practice? 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

(10) Is human immune-deficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome 

screened for during recruitment and throughout military service? YES NO 

(a) If YES, is human immune-deficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency 

syndrome a reason for discharge from the contributing nation’s military (circle)? 

 YES NO 

l. Management of disaster/humanitarian crises.
Appendix L 

L-52 JP 4-02 

(1) Attach a list of organizations involved in disaster response and their 

capabilities. 

(2) Attach a diagram national level C2. 

(3) Who does the HN most frequently call upon in times of crises? _____ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(4) How do military and civilian agencies interface during crisis management? 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(5) Is there a national disaster preparedness and management plan? Yes No 

(6) Is there a national disaster management-training program? Yes No 

(7) Check the steps taken by the HN to prepare for natural or man-made 

disasters: 

(a) Increased production/stockpiling of food/water/supplies. 

(b) Disaster management training for responding personnel. 

(c) Creation of specialized response teams. 

(d) Crisis management exercises. 

(8) Number of personnel “on call” to respond to disasters: 

(a) Civilian: ___________ 

(b) Military: ___________ 

(9) Describe procedure to mobilize “on call” personnel: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(10) Number and type of MEDEVAC vehicles “on-call” for disaster: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 
 Planning Checklists 

L-53 

(11) List all AE capabilities. Include procedures for requesting AE: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(12) Describe casualty handling doctrine for: 

(a) Emergency trauma. 

(b) Burns. 

(c) Chemical/biological warfare. 

(13) Provide name/rank/contact information for (titles may be different; identify 

closest equivalent): 

(a) Director, Federal Emergency Management Agency 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(b) Director, Disaster Preparedness and Management __________________ 

(c) Chief, Medical _____________________________ 

(d) Chief, Search and Rescue ___________________________ 

(e) Chief, Fire Protection ___________________________ 

(f) Chief, Air Evacuation ______________________________ 

(g) Chief of Police ____________________________________ 

(h) United Nations Resident Coordinator _______________________ 

(i) United Nations-Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 

Field Representative ______________________________________________________ 

(j) Defense Attaché/US Ambassador 

____________________________________________________________ 

(14) Has a civil-military operations been established? YES NO 

(15) If YES, list participating organizations and contact information: _________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

m. Local Hospital Data. 
Appendix L 

L-54 JP 4-02 

(1) Hospital name: ________________________________________________ 

(2) Military or civilian:______________________________________________ 

(3) Hospital location (street address, Global Positioning System coordinates): 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(4) Primary POC Name: ____________________________________________ 

(5) Title: ____________________________________ 

(6) Hospital phone/facsimile numbers (include country code): 

________________________________________________________________ 

(7) Hospital radio frequencies: ______________________________________ 

(8) Overall square footage: _____________ 

(9) Number of hospital beds: ______________ 

(10) Types of hospital beds: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

(11) Expansion capability: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

(12) Wartime capability: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

(13) Burns management capability: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

(14) Orthopedic capability: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

(15) Neurosurgery capability: 

________________________________________________________________ 
 Planning Checklists 

L-55 

(16) Obstetrics capability: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

(17) Intensive care capability: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

(18) Trauma capability: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

(19) Surgical specialties. 

(a) Thoracic: _______________________ 

(b) Plastic: ___________________________ 

(c) Cardiovascular: __________________________ 

(20) Nuclear medicine capability. 

(a) X-Ray: _______________________ 

(b) Computed tomography imaging: ______________ 

(c) Magnetic resonance imaging: __________________________ 

(d) Ultrasound: __________________________ 

(21) Laboratory capabilities. 

(a) Biochemical: _______________________ 

(b) Microbiological: ___________________________ 

(c) Hematological: __________________________ 

(d) Other: __________________________ 

(22) Public health facilities: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 
Appendix L 

L-56 JP 4-02 

(23) Veterinary services: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(24) Other: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(25) Does the facility have disaster preparedness/management plans? Yes No 

(26) Disaster preparedness and disaster management capabilities? Yes No 

(27) National disaster preparedness/management responsibilities? Yes No 

(28) Describe the facility’s role during a disaster: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

n. Facility.

(1) Describe overall condition of the facility: 

________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(a) Cleanliness:___________________________ 

(b) Sanitation:__________________________ 

(c) Aseptic techniques: _________________ 

(2) Is there adequate patient privacy? YES NO 

(3) Is there access to upper floors? YES NO 

(a) If YES, what is used (stairs, elevators, and so on): 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(b) Are there other routes of access if primary fails? YES NO 

Describe: ________________________________________________ 
 Planning Checklists 

L-57 

(4) Are the floors safe and solid? YES NO 

(5) Is the facility climate controlled? YES NO 

(6) State of repair and evidence of toxic materials present (such as, asbestos in 

ceiling tiles or in boiler/pipe insulation, stored or spilled toxic chemicals): 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(7) Evidence of rodents/rodent droppings or other animals including birds: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(8) Describe the ventilation system (include specialized isolation rooms): 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(9) List available buildings, nomenclatures, and room numbers: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(10) Are there hand-washing facilities available? Yes No 

(11) Are there functional toilets close by? Yes No 

(12) Describe the bio-waste, infectious waste, and sharps disposal system: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(13) Describe the waste disposal system: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(14) Are there laundry facilities? Yes No 

(15) What types of fuel sources are used? 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 
Appendix L 

L-58 JP 4-02 

(16) List available facility support infrastructure: adequate fixtures, connected 

utilities, heat, lighting, electricity, electrical distribution and adaptable sockets, medical 

gases, and so on): 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(17) List voltage, cycle, and phased frequency of electricity: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(18) List type of electrical plug type used and diagram template of prongs: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(19) List alternative (back up) electrical power available and kilowatt capability: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(20) Are there other sources of emergency power? YES NO 

(21) Are telephone services available? YES NO 

(22) Will the telephone service support: 

DEFENSE SWITCHED NEWORK FACSIMILE DATA SECURE 

COMMICATION 

(23) Is there a medical/fire/crash radio network available? YES NO 

If YES, list the crisis response radio frequency: ________________ 

(24) Are radios/cell phones available for medical use? YES NO 

(25) Alternative communication used? If YES, What? 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(26) Does the facility have an Emergency Medical System? YES NO 

 If YES, how is it activated? __________________________________ 

____________________________________________________________ 
 Planning Checklists 

L-59 

(27) Overall security in facility: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(28) Number of personnel dedicated to security: 

________________________________________________________________ 

(a) Are they armed? YES NO 

(29) Number and type of equipment dedicated to security: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

o. Personnel.

(1) Medical personnel (include: education/training, special qualifications, and 

accreditation): 

(a) Physicians: 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(b) Nurses: 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(c) Dentist: 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(d) Technicians: 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(e) Other: 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(2) Are personnel English-speaking? YES NO 

(a) If NO, what is their primary 

language?_______________________________ 
Appendix L 

L-60 JP 4-02 

(3) Physician-Nurse ratio: _________________________________________ 

(4) What personnel are available to treat deployed US military personnel: 

________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

p. Supplies/Materiel.

(1) Are “western” medical supplies available? Yes No 

(2) Obtain the most comprehensive/up-to-date supply inventory (include product 

names, manufacturer, expiration dates). 

(3) Are the medical supplies available for US deployed military personnel use? 

YES NO 

If YES, is reimbursement required and to who? 

(4) Describe all available supply storage facilities: 

________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

(a) Flammable storage: __________________________________________ 

(b) Refrigerator storage: _________________________________________ 

(c) Blood storage: ______________________________________________ 

(5) Will “cold chain custody” be required (blood/medicines)? 

YES NO 

If YES, how will it be established? 

(6) Describe the pharmacy capability: 

________________________________________________________________ 

(7) Obtain the most current and up to date pharmacy formulary listing. 

(8) Describe the blood capability. 

(a) Inventory: 

_____________________________________________________________ 

____________________________________________________________ 
 Planning Checklists 

L-61 

(b) Capacity: 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(c) Storage: 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(d) Screening: 

1. Human immune-deficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency 

syndrome YES NO 

2. Hepatitis B YES NO 

3. Hepatitis C YES NO 

4. Syphilis YES NO 

5. Malaria YES NO 

6. Anemia YES NO 

7. Other __________________________________________________ 

(9) Methods of sterilization: 

________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(10) List medical manufacturing facilities: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

(11) Availability of disposable needles, syringes, intravenous transfusion bags, 

catheters, and tubing: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

(12) Life Support and Diagnostic Equipment: (number/condition/make and 

model). 

(a) Respirators: 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 
Appendix L 

L-62 JP 4-02 

(b) Intravenous equipment: 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(c) Defibrillators: 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(d) Dialysis equipment: 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(e) X-Ray capabilities: 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(f) Ultrasound: 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(g) Computerized axial tomography (better known as CAT scan): 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(h) Magnetic resonance imaging: 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(i) Laboratory equipment: 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(j) Other: 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(13) Medical materiel storage and distribution nodes: 

________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

q. Transportation.

(1) Describe road access: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 
 Planning Checklists 

L-63 

(2) Describe air access: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(3) Describe rail access: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(4) Are there helicopter-landing zones? YES NO 

(a) If YES, has it been surveyed by US airfield specialist in past year? 

YES NO 

If YES, obtain a copy of survey to include Global Positioning System coordinates, transit 

time, and capabilities. 

(b) Distance to beachhead: ____________________________ 

(c) Distance to port: _________________________________ 

(5) Are ambulances available for use? YES NO 

(a) List vehicle types/litter capacity: 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(b) Number of medical transport military personnel: 

 _____________________________________________________________ 

(c) List equipment/supplies aboard: 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(d) Radio communication aboard? YES NO 

(e) List communications capability and frequencies: 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(f) What are the clearances/training required for drivers? 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 
Appendix L 

L-64 JP 4-02 

(6) Overview of major transportation nodes/staging facilities: 

________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(7) Does the host base operate rotary wing AE? YES NO 

If YES, How can the US activate and enter the system? 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(8) List all flight support/crash rescue services available: 

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 

(9) Provide name/rank/contact information for (titles may be different; identify 

closest equivalent). 

(a) Chief, Medical Transportation Branch: __________________________ 

(b) Chief, Ambulance Services: __________________________________ 

(c) Chief, Air Transportation: ___________________________________ 

r. Summary Evaluation.

(1) Assumptions: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

(2) What additional medical services would be needed if US military personnel 

were deployed? 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

(3) Critical open issues: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________ 
 Planning Checklists 

L-65 

(4) Recommended medical courses of action. 

(a) Course of action 1: 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(b) Course of action 2: 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(c) Course of action 3: 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

(5) Conclusions: 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________ 

s. Notes.

Include in your medical survey report recommendations of all medical requirements 

necessary to support the mission and population. Each problem identified on the 

checklist should be addressed. Where several alternatives are viable, identify the 

recommended best solution. Problems should be worked to the extent possible during the 

survey while other functional representatives are present on the scene (such as food 

service, billeting, logistics, communications, security police, procurement, and so on). 

Discuss problems with other team members including the site survey mission commander 

or advanced echelon team chief. Your report should emphasize telephone or written 

correspondence to answer questions and avoid misunderstandings. 
Appendix L 

L-66 JP 4-02 

Intentionally Blank 
M-1 

APPENDIX M

REFERENCES

The development of JP 4-02 is based upon the following primary references: 

1. Federal Statutory Laws 

Title 10, USC, Armed Forces.

2. Multinational Documents 

a. Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and 

Sick in Armed Forces in the Field, 12 August 1949. 

b. Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded, Sick, 

and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea, 12 August 1949. 

c. Geneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, 12 August 

1949. 

d. Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of 

War, 12 August 1949. 

e. The American, British, Canadian, and Australian (ABCA) Armies Coalition 

Health Interoperability Handbook. 

f. American, British, Canadian, and Australian (ABCA) Coalition Operations 

Handbook. 

3. Department of Defense Directives

a. DOD 4515.13-R, Air Transportation Eligibility. 

b. DOD 7000.14-R, Department of Defense Financial Management Regulations

(FMR).

c. DODD 2310.01E, The Department of Defense Detainee Program.

d. DODD 3002.01E, Personnel Recovery in the Department of Defense.

e. DODD 3115.09, DOD Intelligence Interrogations, Detainee Debriefings, and 

Tactical Questioning.

f. DODD 5101.9, DOD Executive Agent for Medical Materiel.

g. DODD 6000.12E, Health Services Support. 

h. DODD 6200.04, Force Health Protection (FHP).
Appendix M 

M-2 JP 4-02 

i. DODD 6490.02E, Comprehensive Health Surveillance.

j. DODI 2310.08E, Medical Program Support for Detainee Operations.

k. DODI 2310.4, Repatriation of Prisoners of War (POW), Hostages, Peacetime 

Government Detainees and Other Missing or Isolated Personnel. 

l. DODI 3000.05, Stability Operations. 

m. DODI 3020-41, Contractor Personnel Authorized to Accompany the US Armed 

Forces.

n. DODI 6000.11, Patient Movement.

o. DODI 6000.16, Military Health Support for Stability Operations.

p. DODI 6010.22, National Disaster Medical System (NDMS).

q. DODI 6055.1, DOD Safety and Occupational Health (SOH) Program. 

r. DODI 6420.01, National Center for Medical Intelligence (NCMI).

s. DODI 6480.04, Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) Operational Procedures.

t. DODI 6490.03, Deployment Health.

4. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Directives 

a. CJCSI 3110.04B, Nuclear Supplement to the Joint Strategic Capabilities Plan.

b. CJCSI 3290.01C, Program for Detainee Operations. 

c. CJCSI 3500.02A, Universal Joint Task Force (UJTL) Policy and Guidance for 

the Armed Forces of the United States. 

d. CJCSM 3122.03C, Joint Operation Planning and Execution System (JOPES) 

Volume II, Planning Formats. 

e. CJCSM 3500.04E, Universal Joint Task Manual.

f. MCM 0028-07, Procedures for Deployment Health Surveillance.

5. Joint Publications 

a. JP 1, Doctrine for the Armed Forces of the United States.

b. JP 1-02, Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms.

c. JP 3-0, Joint Operations.
References

M-3 

d. JP 3-05, Special Operations.

e. JP 3-11, Operations in Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) 

Environments.

f. JP 3-16, Multinational Operations.

g. JP 3-18, Joint Forcible Entry Operations. 

h. JP 3-29, Foreign Humanitarian Assistance.

i. JP 3-33, Joint Task Force Headquarters.

j. JP 3-50, Personnel Recovery.

k. JP 3-57, Civil-Military Operations. 

l. JP 4-0, Joint Logistics.

m. JP 4-06, Mortuary Affairs.

n. JP 4-10, Operational Contract Support.

o. JP 5-0, Joint Operation Planning.

6. Combatant Command Publications

a. US Central Command, CINC’s Warfighting Instructions, Vol. 1, Operations 

Standing Operating Procedures.

b. United States European Command (USEUCOM) Directive 55-11, USEUCOM 

Theater Command and Control Policy.

c. Common Joint Task Force Headquarters Standing Operating Procedure, Version 

2.0. 

d. USJFCOM, Joint Task Force Commander’s Handbook for Peace Operations. 

e. United States Pacific Command, Joint Task Force Headquarters Standing 

Operating Procedures.

7. Multi-Service Publications

a. Field Manual (FM) 3-11.21, AFTTP(I) 3-2.37, NTTP 3-11.24, Marine Corps 

Reference Publication (MCRP) 3-37.2C, Multi-Service Tactics, Techniques, and 

Procedures for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Consequence 

Management Operations. 
Appendix M 

M-4 JP 4-02 

b. FM 3-100.12, AFTTP(I) 3-2.34, NTTP 5-03.5, MCRP 5-12.1C, Multi-Service 

Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Risk Management.

c. Army Regulation (AR) 40-538, Air Force Regulation 167-5, Navy Bureau of 

Medicine Instruction 6700.2B, Property Management During Patient Evacuation. 

d. FM 4-02.7, NTTP 4-02.7, AFTTP (I) 3-42.3, MCRP 4-11.1F, Multi-Service 

Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Health Service Support in a Chemical, 

Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Environment.

e. Department of the Army Pamphlet 40-11, Preventive Medicine.

f. AFTTP 3-42.1, Medical Command and Control. 

g. AFTTP 3-42.72, Emergency Medical Support. 

8. United States Army Publications

a. AR 40-1, Composition, Mission, and Functions of the Army Medical Department.

b. AR 40-3, Medical, Dental, and Veterinary Care.

c. AR 40-4, Army Medical Department Facilities/Activities.

d. AR 40-5, Preventive Medicine.

e. AR 40-7, Use of Investigational Drugs and Devices in Humans and the Use of 

Scheduled I Controlled Drug Substances.

f. AR 40-10, Health Hazard Assessment Program in Support of the Army 

Acquisition Process.

g. AR 40-12, Quarantine Regulations of the Armed Forces.

h. AR 40-13, Medical Support - Nuclear/Chemical Accidents and Incidents.

i. AR 40-35, Dental Readiness and Community Oral Health Protection.

j. AR 40-38, Clinical Investigation Program.

k. AR 40-56, Introduction, Requirements Determination, & Publication of New 

Standardized Medical Items into the Department of Defense.

l. AR 40-60, Policies and Procedures for the Acquisition of Medical Materiel.

m. AR 40-61, Medical Logistics Policies.

n. AR 40-63, Ophthalmic Services.
References

M-5 

o. AR 40-66, Medical Record Administration and Health Care Documentation. 

p. AR 40-68, Clinical Quality Management.

q. AR 40-350, Patient Regulating to and Within the Continental United States.

r. AR 40-400, Patient Administration.

s. AR 40-538, Property Management During Patient Evacuation.

t. AR 40-562, Immunizations and Chemoprophylaxis.

u. AR 40-656, Veterinary Surveillance Inspection of Subsistence.

v. AR 40-657, Veterinary/Medical Food Inspection and Laboratory Service.

w. AR 190-8, Enemy Prisoners of War, Retained Personnel, Civilian Internees and 

Other Detainees.

x. FM 4-02, Force Health Protection in a Global Environment.

y. FM 4-02.1, Army Medical Logistics.

z. FM 4-02.17, Preventive Medicine Services.

aa. FM 4-02.18, Veterinary Service Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures.

bb. FM 4-02.19, Dental Service Support Operations.

cc. FM 4-02.2, Medical Evacuation.

dd. FM 4-02.55, Planning for Health Service Support.

ee. United States Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine 

(USACHPPM) Technical Guide 124, Occupational Health Program Manual.

ff. USACHPPM Technical Guide 185, Commander’s Guide to the Health Risk 

Assessment Process.

gg. USACHPPM Technical Guide 244, The Medical CBRN Battlebook.

hh. USACHPPM, Technical Guide 248, Guide for Deployed Preventive Medicine 

Personnel on Health Risk Management.

ii. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Medical Management of

Chemical Casualties Handbook.

jj. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Medical Management of

Biological Casualties Handbook.
Appendix M 

M-6 JP 4-02 

9. United States Air Force Publications

a. Air Force Doctrine Document (AFDD) 4-02, Health Services. 

b. AFDD 3-17, Air Mobility Operations. 

c. Air Force Instruction (AFI) 10-2909, Equipment Standards. 

d. AFI 11 2AE, Vol. 3, Flying Operations, Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) 

Operations Procedures. 

e. AFI 41-106, Unit Level Management of Medical Readiness Programs. 

f. AFI 41-201, Managing Clinical Engineering Programs. 

g. AFI 41-209, Medical Logistics Support. 

h. AFI 41-301, Worldwide Aeromedical Evacuation System. 

i. AFI 41-307, Aeromedical Evacuation Patient Considerations and Standards of 

Care. 

j. Air Force Joint Instruction 41-315, Patient Regulation to and Within the 

Continental United States. 

k. AFI 44-105, The Air Force Blood Program. 

l. AFMAN 41-216, Defense Medical Logistics Standard Support User Manual. 

m. Air Force Pamphlet 90-902, Operational Risk Management (ORM) Guidelines 

and Tools. 

n. Air Force Policy Directive (AFPD) 10-29, Worldwide Aeromedical Evacuation 

Operations. 

o. AFPD 41-1, Health Care Programs and Resources. 

p. AFTTP 3-42.5, Aeromedical Evacuation (AE). 

q. AFTTP 3-42.8, Expeditionary Medical Logistics System. 

r. AMC Pamphlet 11-303, Access to the Aeromedical Evacuation System. 

10. United States Navy Publications 

a. Navy Warfare Publication (NWP) 4-02, Naval Expeditionary Health Service 

Support Afloat and Ashore.

b. Navy Tactics Techniques and Procedures (NTTP) 4-02.6, Hospital Ships.
References

M-7 

c. Navy Medical P-6530, Technical Manual, Armed Services Blood Program, Joint 

Blood Program Handbook.

11. United States Marine Corps Publications

a. MCWP 4-1, Logistics Operations. 

b. MCWP 4-11, Tactical-Level Logistics. 

c. MCRP 4-11.1, Health Service Support Operations. 

d. MCRP 4-11, Tactical-Level Logistics. 

e. MCRP 4-12, Operational-Level Logistics. 

f. Marine Corps Doctrinal Publication 4, Logistics. 

g. MCRP 5-12D, Organization of The Marine Corps Forces. 

h. Navy/Marine Corps 2599, A Guidebook for Commanders Material Management. 

12. Other References

a. The Defense Medical Logistics Standard Support Release 3.1. 

b. The Unofficial Joint Medical Officer’s Handbook. 
Appendix M 

M-8 JP 4-02 

Intentionally Blank
N-1 

APPENDIX N 

ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUCTIONS 

1. User Comments 

Users in the field are highly encouraged to submit comments on this publication to: 

Joint Staff, operational plans and interoperability directorate of a joint staff (J-7), Deputy 

Director, Joint and Coalition Warfighting, Joint and Coalition Warfighting Center, 

ATTN: Joint Doctrine Support Division, 116 Lake View Parkway, Suffolk, VA 23435-

2697. These comments should address content (accuracy, usefulness, consistency, and 

organization), writing, and appearance. 

2. Authorship 

The lead agent for this publication is the US Army. The Joint Staff doctrine sponsor 

for this publication is the Joint Staff Logistics Directorate (J-4). 

3. Supersession 

This publication supersedes JP 4-02, 31 October 2006, Health Service Support. 

4. Change Recommendations 

a. Recommendations for urgent changes to this publication should be submitted: 

TO: JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J7-JEDD// 

b. Routine changes should be submitted electronically to the Deputy Director, Joint 

and Coalition Warfighting, Joint and Coalition Warfighting Center, Joint Doctrine 

Support Division and info the lead agent and the Director for Joint Force Development, J7/Joint Education and Doctrine Division. 

c. When a Joint Staff directorate submits a proposal to the CJCS that would change 

source document information reflected in this publication, that directorate will include a 

proposed change to this publication as an enclosure to its proposal. The Services and 

other organizations are requested to notify the Joint Staff J-7 when changes to source 

documents reflected in this publication are initiated. 

5. Distribution of Publications 

Local reproduction is authorized, and access to unclassified publications is 

unrestricted. However, access to and reproduction authorization for classified JPs must 

be in accordance with DOD Manual 5200.01, Information Security Program: Overview, 

Classification, and Declassification.
Appendix N 

N-2 JP 4-02 

6. Distribution of Electronic Publications 

a. Joint Staff J-7 will not print copies of JPs for distribution. Electronic versions are 

available on Joint Doctrine, Education, and Training Electronic Information System at 

https://jdeis.js.mil (Nonsecure Internet Protocol Router Network [NIPRNET]) and 

https://jdeis.js.smil.mil (SECRET Internet Protocol Router Network), and on the Joint 

Electronic Library at http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine (NIPRNET). 

b. Only approved JPs and joint test publications are releasable outside the combatant 

commands, Services, and Joint Staff. Release of any classified JP to foreign governments 

or foreign nationals must be requested through the local embassy (Defense Attaché 

Office) to Defense Intelligence Agency, Defense Foreign Liaison/IE-3, 200 MacDill 

Blvd., Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, DC 20340-5100.

c. JEL CD-ROM. Upon request of a joint doctrine development community 

member, the Joint Staff J-7 will produce and deliver one CD-ROM with current JPs. This 

JEL CD-ROM will be updated not less than semi-annually and when received can be 

locally reproduced for use within the CCMDs and Services.
GL-1 

GLOSSARY 

PART I—ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS 

AB air base 

AE aeromedical evacuation 

AELT aeromedical evacuation liaison team 

AEOT aeromedical evacuation operations team 

AESC aeromedical evacuation support cell 

AF Air Force (form) 

AFB Air Force base 

AFDD Air Force doctrine document 

AFHSC Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center 

AFI Air Force instruction 

AFMAN Air Force manual 

AFPD Air Force policy directive 

AFSOF Air Force special operations forces 

AFTTP Air Force tactics, techniques, and procedures 

AJBPO area joint blood program office 

AMC Air Mobility Command 

AMC/SGXM Air Mobility Command/Command Surgeon’s Office 

AMD air mobility division 

AOC air and space operations center (USAF) 

AR Army regulation 

ASBP Armed Services Blood Program 

ASBPO Armed Services Blood Program Office 

ASD(HA) Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) 

BI battle injury 

BMET biomedical electronics technician 

BTC blood transshipment center 

C2 command and control 

CASEVAC casualty evacuation 

CASF contingency aeromedical staging facility 

CBRN chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear 

CCDR combatant commander 

CCMD combatant command 

CJCS Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 

CJCSI Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff instruction 

CJCSM Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff manual 

CLIA Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments 

COA course of action 

COMAFFOR commander, Air Force forces 

CONOPS concept of operations 

CONPLAN concept plan 

CRAF Civil Reserve Air Fleet 
Glossary 

GL-2 JP 4-02 

DD Department of Defense (form) 

DIRMOBFOR director of mobility forces 

DLA Defense Logistics Agency 

DNBI disease and nonbattle injury 

DOD Department of Defense 

DODD Department of Defense directive 

DODI Department of Defense instruction 

DOEHRS Defense Occupational and Environmental Health 

 Reporting System 

DSN Defense Switched Network 

EAES expeditionary aeromedical evacuation squadron 

EMF expeditionary medical facility 

EPW enemy prisoner of war 

FAX facsimile 

FDA Food and Drug Administration 

FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency 

FFP fresh frozen plasma 

FHA foreign humanitarian assistance 

FHP force health protection 

FM field manual (Army) 

FRAGORD fragmentary order 

GC Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian 

 Persons in Time of War 

GCC geographic combatant commander 

GPMJAB Global Patient Movement Joint Advisory Board 

GPMRC Global Patient Movement Requirements Center 

GPW Geneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of 

 Prisoners of War 

GWS Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition 

 of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field 

GWS Sea Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition 

 of the Wounded, Sick, and Shipwrecked Members of the 

 Armed Forces at Sea 

HN host nation 

HQ headquarters 

HSS health service support 

IGO intergovernmental organization 

J-1 manpower and personnel directorate of a joint staff 

J-2 intelligence directorate of a joint staff 
Glossary 

GL-3 

J-3 operations directorate of a joint staff 

J-4 logistics directorate of a joint staff 

J-6 communications system directorate of a joint staff 

J-7 operational plans and interoperability directorate of a joint 

 staff 

JAOC joint air operations center 

JBPO joint blood program office 

JDDOC joint deployment and distribution operations center 

JFACC joint force air component commander 

JFC joint force commander 

JFS joint force surgeon 

JMOC joint medical operations center 

JMPT Joint Medical Planning Tool 

JMWG joint medical working group 

JOA joint operations area 

JOPES Joint Operation Planning and Execution System 

JP joint publication 

JPMRC joint patient movement requirements center 

JRSOI joint reception, staging, onward movement, and integration 

JTF joint task force 

MASCAL mass casualty 

MASF mobile aeromedical staging facility 

MCRP Marine Corps reference publication 

MCWP Marine Corps warfighting publication 

MDBS blood support medical detachment 

MEDEVAC medical evacuation 

MEDLOG medical logistics (USAF AIS) 

MTF medical treatment facility 

NAVSOF Navy special operations forces 

NBI nonbattle injury 

NCMI National Center for Medical Intelligence 

NDMS National Disaster Medical System (DHHS) 

NGO nongovernmental organization 

NTTP Navy tactics, techniques, and procedures 

OEH occupational and environmental health 

OPCON operational control 

OPLAN operation plan 

OPORD operation order 

PHEO public health emergency officer 

PJ pararescue jumper 

PMI patient movement item 

PMITS Patient Movement Item Tracking System 
Glossary 

GL-4 JP 4-02 

PMRC patient movement requirements center 

POC point of contact 

POW prisoner of war 

PVNTMED preventive medicine 

RBC red blood cell 

Rh Rhesus 

618th TACC 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center 

SecDef Secretary of Defense 

SERE survival, evasion, resistance, and escape 

SGXM Headquarters, Air Mobility Command/Surgeon 

SIMLM single integrated medical logistics manager 

SME subject matter expert 

SOCM special operations combat medic 

SOF special operations forces 

SOP standard operating procedure 

2E Role 2 enhanced 

2LM Role 2 light maneuver 

TLAMM theater lead agent for medical materiel 

TPFDD time-phased force and deployment data 

TPMRC theater patient movement requirements center 

TRAC2ES transportation command regulating and command and 

 control evacuation system 

USA United States Army 

USACHPPM United States Army Center for Health Promotion and 

 Preventive Medicine 

USAF United States Air Force 

USC United States Code 

USCG United States Coast Guard 

USG United States Government 

USMC United States Marine Corps 

USN United States Navy 

USTRANSCOM United States Transportation Command 

UTC unit type code ` 

WIA wounded in action 
GL-5 

PART II—TERMS AND DEFINITIONS 

acute care services. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.)

aeromedical evacuation. The movement of patients under medical supervision to and between 

medical treatment facilities by air transportation. Also called AE.

(JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 4-02) 

aeromedical evacuation coordination center. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.)

aeromedical evacuation system. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

aeromedical evacuation unit. An operational medical organization concerned primarily with 

the management and control of patients being transported via an aeromedical evacuation 

system or system echelon. (Approved for incorporation into JP 1-02 with JP 4-02 as the 

source JP.)

ambulance exchange point. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

aviation medicine. The special field of medicine which is related to the biological and 

psychological problems of flight. (Approved for incorporation into JP 1-02 with JP 4-02 as 

the source JP.) 

battle injury. Damage or harm sustained by personnel during or as a result of battle 

conditions. Also called BI. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 4-02) 

buddy-aid. Acute medical care (first aid) provided by a non-medical Service member to 

another person. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 4-02) 

casualty. Any person who is lost to the organization by having been declared dead, duty status 

- whereabouts unknown, missing, ill, or injured. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 4-02) 

casualty category. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

casualty evacuation. The unregulated movement of casualties that can include movement both 

to and between medical treatment facilities. Also called CASEVAC. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: 

JP 4-02) 

casualty status. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

casualty type. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

civil-military medicine. A discipline within operational medicine comprising public health 

and medical issues that involve a civil-military interface (foreign or domestic), including 

military medical support to civil authorities (domestic), medical elements of cooperation 

activities, and medical civil-military operations. (Approved for incorporation into JP 

1-02.) 
Glossary 

GL-6 JP 4-02 

combat and operational stress. The expected and predictable emotional, intellectual, 

physical, and/or behavioral reactions of an individual who has been exposed to stressful 

events in war or stability operations. (Approved for incorporation into JP 1-02.) 

combat and operational stress control. Programs developed and actions taken by military 

leadership to prevent, identify, and manage adverse combat and operational stress reactions 

in units; optimize mission performance; conserve fighting strength; prevent or minimize 

adverse effects of combat and operational stress on members’ physical, psychological, 

intellectual and social health; and to return the unit or Service member to duty 

expeditiously. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 4-02) 

deceased. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

definitive care. Care rendered to conclusively manage a patient’s condition, such as full range 

of preventive, curative acute, convalescent, restorative, and rehabilitative medical care. 

(Approved for incorporation into JP 1-02.) 

deployment health surveillance. The regular or repeated collection, analysis, archiving, 

interpretation, and distribution of health-related data used for monitoring the health of a 

population or of individuals, and for intervening in a timely manner to prevent, treat, or 

control the occurrence of disease or injury, which includes occupational and environmental 

health surveillance and medical surveillance subcomponents. (Approved for incorporation 

into JP 1-02.) 

died of wounds received in action. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

disease and nonbattle injury. All illnesses and injuries not resulting from enemy or terrorist 

action or caused by conflict. Also called DNBI. (Approved for incorporation into JP 

1-02.) 

disease and nonbattle injury casualty. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

duty status - whereabouts unknown. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

end item. A final combination of end products, component parts, and/or materials that is ready 

for its intended use. (Approved for incorporation into JP 1-02.) 

en route care. Continuation of the provision of care during movement (evacuation) between 

the health service support capabilities in the roles of care, without clinically compromising 

the patient’s condition. (Approved for incorporation into JP 1-02.) 

essential care. Medical treatment provided to manage the casualty throughout the roles of care, 

which includes all care and treatment to either return the patient to duty (within the theater 

evacuation policy), or begin initial treatment required for optimization of outcome, and/or 

stabilization to ensure the patient can tolerate evacuation. (Approved for incorporation into 

JP 1-02.) 
Glossary 

GL-7 

evacuation. 1. Removal of a patient by any of a variety of transport means from a theater of 

military operation, or between health service support capabilities, for the purpose of 

preventing further illness or injury, providing additional care, or providing disposition of 

patients from the military health care system. (JP 4-02) 2. The clearance of personnel, 

animals, or materiel from a given locality. (JP 3-68) 3. The controlled process of 

collecting, classifying, and shipping unserviceable or abandoned materiel, United States or 

foreign, to appropriate reclamation, maintenance, technical intelligence, or disposal 

facilities. (JP 4-09) 4. The ordered or authorized departure of noncombatants from a 

specific area by Department of State, Department of Defense, or appropriate military 

commander. This refers to the movement from one area to another in the same or different 

countries. The evacuation is caused by unusual or emergency circumstances and applies 

equally to command or non-command sponsored family members. (JP 3-68) (Approved 

for incorporation into JP 1-02.) 

expendable property. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

expendable supplies. Supplies that are consumed in use, such as ammunition, paint, fuel, 

cleaning and preserving materials, surgical dressings, drugs, medicines, etc., or that lose 

their identity, such as spare parts, etc., and may be dropped from stock record accounts 

when it is issued or used. (Approved for inclusion in JP 1-02.) 

expendable supplies and materiel. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.)

first responder. A primary health care provider who provides immediate clinical care and 

stabilization in preparation for evacuation to the next health service support capability in 

the roles of care, and treats Service members for common acute minor illnesses. 

(Approved for replacement of “first responders” and its definition in JP 1-02.) 

first responder care. The health care capability that provides immediate clinical care and 

stabilization to the patient in preparation for evacuation to the next health service support 

capability in the continuum of care. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 4-02)

fixed medical treatment facility. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

Fleet Marine Force. A balanced force of combined arms comprising land, air, and service 

elements of the United States Marine Corps, which is an integral part of a United States 

fleet and has the status of a type command. Also called FMF. (Approved for 

incorporation into JP 1-02.) 

force health protection. Measures to promote, improve, or conserve the behavioral and 

physical well-being of Service members to enable a healthy and fit force, prevent injury 

and illness, and protect the force from health hazards. Also called FHP. (Approved for 

incorporation into JP 1-02.) 

forward aeromedical evacuation. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

forward area. An area in proximity to combat. (Approved for incorporation into JP 1-02 with 

JP 4-02 as the source JP.)
Glossary 

GL-8 JP 4-02 

forward resuscitative care. Care provided as close to the point of injury as possible based on 

current operational requirements to attain stabilization, achieve the most efficient use of 

life-and-limb saving medical treatment, and provide essential care so the patient can 

tolerate evacuation, which is known as Role 2 care in the North Atlantic Treaty 

Organization doctrine. Also called FRC. (Approved for incorporation into JP 1-02.) 

friendly fire. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.)

Global Patient Movement Requirements Center. A joint activity reporting directly to the 

Commander, United States Transportation Command, which provides medical regulating 

and aeromedical evacuation scheduling for the continental United States and intertheater 

operations, provides support to the theater patient movement requirements centers, and 

coordinates with supporting resource providers to identify available assets and 

communicates transport to bed plans to the appropriate transportation agency for execution. 

Also called GPMRC. (Approved for incorporation into JP 1-02.) 

health care provider. Any member of the Armed Forces, civilian employee of the Department 

of Defense, or personal services contract employee under Title 10, United States Code, 

Section 1091 authorized by the Department of Defense to perform health care functions. 

Also called DOD health care provider. (Approved for incorporation into JP 1 02.) 

health hazard assessment. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.)

health service logistic support. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.)

health service support. All services performed, provided, or arranged to promote, improve, 

conserve, or restore the mental or physical well-being of personnel, which include, but are 

not limited to, the management of health services resources, such as manpower, monies, 

and facilities; preventive and curative health measures; evacuation of the wounded, injured, 

or sick; selection of the medically fit and disposition of the medically unfit; blood 

management; medical supply, equipment, and maintenance thereof; combat and 

operational stress control; and medical, dental, veterinary, laboratory, optometric, nutrition 

therapy, and medical intelligence services. Also called HSS. (Approved for incorporation 

into JP 1-02.) 

health surveillance. The regular or repeated collection, analysis, and interpretation of healthrelated data and the dissemination of information to monitor the health of a population and 

to identify potential health risks, thereby enabling timely interventions to prevent, treat, 

reduce, or control disease and injury, which includes occupational and environmental 

health surveillance and medical surveillance subcomponents. (Approved for incorporation 

into JP 1-02.) 

health threat. A composite of ongoing or potential enemy actions; adverse environmental, 

occupational, and geographic and meteorological conditions; endemic diseases; and 

employment of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons (to include 

weapons of mass destruction) that have the potential to affect the short- or long-term health 

(including psychological impact) of personnel. (Approved for incorporation into JP 1-02.) 
Glossary 

GL-9 

hospital. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.)

injury. 1. A term comprising such conditions as fractures, wounds, sprains, strains, 

dislocations, concussions, and compressions. 2. Conditions resulting from extremes of 

temperature or prolonged exposure. 3. Acute poisonings (except those due to 

contaminated food) resulting from exposure to a toxic or poisonous substance. (Approved 

for incorporation into JP 1-02.)

intertheater patient movement. Moving patients between, into, and out of the different 

theaters of the geographic combatant commands and into the continental United States or 

another supporting theater. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 4-02) 

intransit aeromedical evacuation facility. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.)

intratheater patient movement. Moving patients within the theater of a combatant command 

or in the continental United States. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 4-02) 

joint force surgeon. A general term applied to a Department of Defense medical department 

officer appointed by the joint force commander to serve as the joint force special staff 

officer responsible for establishing, monitoring, or evaluating joint force health service 

support. Also called JFS. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 4-02) 

joint patient movement requirements center. A joint activity established to coordinate the 

joint patient movement requirements function for a joint task force operating within a 

unified command area of responsibility. Also called JPMRC. (Approved for 

incorporation into JP 1-02.) 

joint patient movement team. Teams comprised of personnel trained in medical regulating 

and movement procedures. Also called JPMT. (Approved for incorporation into JP 1-02.) 

killed in action. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

lead agent. 1. An individual Service, combatant command, or Joint Staff directorate assigned 

to develop and maintain a joint publication. (CJCSI 5120.02) 2. In medical materiel 

management, the designated unit or organization to coordinate or execute day-to-day 

conduct of an ongoing operation or function. Also called LA. (JP 4-02) (Approved for 

incorporation into JP 1-02 with CJCSI 5120.02 as the source document for Definition #1.) 

life cycle. The total phases through which an item passes from the time it is initially developed 

until the time it is either consumed in use or disposed of as being excess to all known 

materiel requirements. (Approved for incorporation into JP 1-02 with JP 4-02 as the 

source JP.) 

litter. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.)

litter patient. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

logistic support (medical). None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 
Glossary 

GL-10 JP 4-02 

mass casualty. Any large number of casualties produced in a relatively short period of time, 

usually as the result of a single incident such as a military aircraft accident, hurricane, 

flood, earthquake, or armed attack that exceeds local logistic support capabilities. Also 

called MASCAL. (Approved for incorporation into JP 1-02.) 

medical civil-military operations. All military health-related activities in support of a joint 

force commander that establish, enhance, maintain or influence relations between the joint 

or multinational force and host nation, multinational governmental and nongovernmental 

civilian organizations and authorities, and the civilian populace in order to facilitate 

military operations, achieve United States operational objectives, and positively impact the 

health sector. Also called MCMO. (Approved for incorporation into JP 1-02.) 

medical contingency file. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.)

medical engagement protocols. Directives issued by competent military authority that 

delineate the circumstances and limitations under which United States medical forces will 

initiate medical care and support to those individuals that are not Department of Defense 

health care beneficiaries or designated eligible for care in a military medical treatment 

facility by the Secretary of Defense. (Approved for replacement of “medical protocols” in 

JP 1-02.)

medical evacuees. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.)

medical intelligence preparation of the operational environment. A systematic continuing 

process that analyzes information on medical and disease threats, enemy capabilities, 

terrain, weather, local medical infrastructure, potential humanitarian and refugee situations, 

transportation issues, and political, religious and social issues for all types of operations. 

Also called MIPOE. (Approved for incorporation into JP 1-02.) 

medical logistics support. A functional area of logistics support for the joint force surgeon’s 

health service support mission and that includes supplying Class VIII medical supplies 

(medical material to include medical peculiar repair parts used to sustain the health service 

support system), optical fabrication, medical equipment maintenance, blood storage and 

distribution, and medical gases. Also called MEDLOG support. (Approved for inclusion 

in JP 1-02.)

medical regulating. The actions and coordination necessary to arrange for the movement of 

patients through the roles of care and to match patients with a medical treatment facility 

that has the necessary health service support capabilities and available bed space. 

(Approved for incorporation into JP 1-02.) 

medical surveillance. The ongoing, systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of data 

derived from instances of medical care or medical evaluation, and the reporting of 

population-based information for characterizing and countering threats to a population’s 

health, well-being and performance. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 4-02) 

medical treatment facility. A facility established for the purpose of furnishing medical and/or 

dental care to eligible individuals. Also called MTF. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 4-02) 
Glossary 

GL-11 

military health system. A health system that supports the military mission by fostering, 

protecting, sustaining, and restoring health and providing the direction, resources, health 

care providers, and other means necessary for promoting the health of the beneficiary 

population. (Approved for incorporation into JP 1-02.) 

military van (container). Military-owned, demountable container, conforming to United 

States and international standards, operated in a centrally controlled fleet for movement of 

military cargo. Also called MILVAN. (Approved for incorporation into JP 1-02). 

MILVAN. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.)

nonbattle injury. A person who becomes a casualty due to circumstances not directly 

attributable to hostile action or terrorist activity. Also called NBI. (Approved for 

incorporation into JP 1-02 with JP 4-02 as the source JP.)

nonhostile casualty. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

not seriously injured. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

occupational and environmental health surveillance. The regular or repeated collection, 

analysis, archiving, interpretation, and dissemination of occupational and environmental 

health-related data for monitoring the health of, or potential health hazard impact on, a 

population and individual personnel, and for intervening in a timely manner to prevent, 

treat, or control the occurrence of disease or injury when determined necessary. (JP 1-02. 

SOURCE: JP 4-02) 

occupational and environmental health threats. Threats to the health of military personnel 

and to military readiness created by exposure to hazardous agents, environmental 

contamination, or toxic industrial materials. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 4-02) 

occupied territory. Territory under the authority and effective control of a belligerent armed 

force and not being administered pursuant to peace terms, treaty, or other agreement, 

express or implied, with the civil authority of the territory. (Approved for incorporation 

into JP 1-02.) 

operational testing. A continuing process of evaluation that may be applied to either 

operational personnel or situations to determine their validity or reliability. (Approved for 

incorporation into JP 1-02 with JP 4-02 as the source JP.)

opportune lift. That portion of lift capability available for use after planned requirements have 

been met. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 4-02) 

originating medical treatment facility. A medical facility that initially transfers a patient to 

another medical facility. (Approved for replacement of “originating medical facility” in JP 

1-02.)

patient. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 
Glossary 

GL-12 JP 4-02 

patient movement. The act or process of moving a sick, injured, wounded, or other person to 

obtain medical and/or dental care or treatment. Functions include medical regulating, 

patient evacuation, and en route medical care. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 4-02) 

patient movement items. The medical equipment and supplies required to support patients 

during aeromedical evacuation, which is part of a standardized list of approved safe-to-fly 

equipment. Also called PMIs. (Approved for incorporation into JP 1-02.)

patient movement policy. Command decision establishing the maximum number of days that 

patients may be held within the command for treatment. (Approved for incorporation into 

JP 1-02.) 

patient movement requirements center. 1. A joint activity that coordinates patient movement 

by functionally merging of joint medical regulating processes, Services’ medical regulating 

processes, and patient movement evacuation requirements planning (transport to bed plan). 

2. Term used to represent any theater, joint or the Global Patient Movement Requirements 

Center function. Also called PMRC. (Approved for incorporation into JP 1-02.) 

pool. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

population at risk. The strength in personnel of a given force structure in terms of which 

casualty rates are stated. Also called PAR. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 4-02) 

precedence. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.)

preventive maintenance. The care and servicing by personnel for the purpose of maintaining 

equipment and facilities in satisfactory operating condition by providing for systematic 

inspection, detection, and correction of incipient failures either before they occur or before 

they develop into major defects. (Approved for incorporation into JP 1-02 with JP 4-02 as 

the source JP.)

preventive medicine. The anticipation, communication, prediction, identification, prevention, 

education, risk assessment, and control of communicable diseases, illnesses and exposure 

to endemic, occupational, and environmental threats. Also called PVNTMED. (Approved 

for incorporation into JP 1-02.) 

rehabilitative care. Therapy that provides evaluations and treatment programs using exercises, 

massage, or electrical therapeutic treatment to restore, reinforce, or enhance motor 

performance and restores patients to functional health allowing for their return to duty or 

discharge from the Service. Also called restorative care. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 4-02) 

resuscitative care. Advanced emergency medical treatment required to prevent immediate loss 

of life or limb and to attain stabilization to ensure the patient could tolerate evacuation. (JP 

1-02. SOURCE: JP 4-02)

seriously ill or injured. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.)

seriously wounded. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 
Glossary 

GL-13 

slightly wounded. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.)

stabilized patient. A patient whose airway is secured, hemorrhage is controlled, shock treated, 

and fractures are immobilized. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 4-02) 

stable patient. A patient for whom no inflight medical intervention is expected but the 

potential for medical intervention exists. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 4-02) 

standardization. The process by which the Department of Defense achieves the closest 

practicable cooperation among the Services and Department of Defense agencies for the 

most efficient use of research, development, and production resources, and agrees to adopt 

on the broadest possible basis the use of: a. common or compatible operational, 

administrative, and logistic procedures; b. common or compatible technical procedures 

and criteria; c. common, compatible, or interchangeable supplies, components, weapons, 

or equipment; and d. common or compatible tactical doctrine with corresponding 

organizational compatibility. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 4-02) 

stretcher. None. (Approved for removal JP 1-02.) 

tactical aeromedical evacuation. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.)

tactical air transport operations. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

tactical combat casualty care. A set of trauma management guidelines customized for use on 

the battlefield that maintains a sharp focus on the most common causes of preventable 

deaths on the battlefield: external hemorrhage; tension pneumothorax; and airway 

obstruction. (Approved for inclusion in JP 1-02.)

telemedicine. Rapid access to shared and remote medical expertise by means of 

telecommunications and information technologies to deliver health services and exchange 

health information for the purpose of improving patient care. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 4-02) 

theater hospitalization capability. Essential care and health service support capabilities to 

either return the patient to duty and/or stabilization to ensure the patient can tolerate 

evacuation to a definitive care facility outside the theater, which is known as Role 3 in 

North American Treaty Organization doctrine. (Approved for incorporation into JP 1-02.) 

theater patient movement requirements center. The activity responsible for intratheater 

patient movement management (medical regulating and aeromedical evacuation 

scheduling), the development of theater-level patient movement plans and schedules, the 

monitoring and execution in concert with the Global Patient Movement Requirements 

Center. Also called TPMRC. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 4-02) 

throughput. 1. In transportation, the average quantity of cargo and passengers that can pass 

through a port on a daily basis from arrival at the port to loading onto a ship or plane, or 

from the discharge from a ship or plane to the exit (clearance) from the port complex. (JP 

4-01.5) 2. In patient movement and care, the maximum number of patients (stable or 
Glossary 

GL-14 JP 4-02 

stabilized) by category, that can be received at the airport, staged, transported, and received 

at the proper hospital within any 24-hour period. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 4-02) 

unaccounted for. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

unit type code. A Joint Chiefs of Staff developed and assigned code, consisting of five 

characters that uniquely identify a “type unit.” Also called UTC. (Approved for 

incorporation into JP 1-02.) 

unstable patient. A patient whose physiological status is in fluctuation and for whom 

emergent, treatment, and/or surgical intervention are anticipated during treatment or 

evacuation; and the patient’s rapidly changing status and requirements are beyond the 

standard en route care capability and requires medical/surgical augmentation. (Approved 

for incorporation into JP 1-02.) 

very seriously ill or injured. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.)

walking patient. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

war reserve materiel requirement. That portion of the war materiel requirement required to 

be on hand on D-day. This level consists of the war materiel requirement less the sum of 

the peacetime assets assumed to be available on D-day and the war materiel procurement 

capability. (Approved for incorporation into JP 1-02 with JP 4-02 as the source JP.)

wellness. Force health protection program that consolidates and incorporates physical and 

mental fitness, health promotion, and environmental and occupational health. (JP 1-02. 

SOURCE: JP 4-02) 

wounded. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

wounded in action. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02. 
Maintenance

Approval Development

Initiation

JOINT

DOCTRINE

PUBLICATION

ENHANCED

JOINT

WARFIGHTING

CAPABILITY

STEP #3 - Approval STEP #2 - Development









JSDS delivers adjudicated matrix to JS J-7

JS J-7 prepares publication for signature

JSDS prepares JS staffing package

JSDS staffs the publication via JSAP for

signature













LA selects primary review authority (PRA) to develop the first

draft (FD)

PRA develops FD for staffing with JDDC

FD comment matrix adjudication

JS J-7 produces the final coordination (FC) draft, staffs to

JDDC and JS via Joint Staff Action Processing (JSAP) system

J adjudicates FC comment

matrix

FC joint working group

oint Staff doctrine sponsor (JSDS)

STEP #4 - Maintenance









JP published and continuously

assessed by users

Formal assessment begins

24-27 months following

publication

Revision begins 3.5 years

after publication

Each JP revision is completed

no later than 5 years after

signature

STEP #1 - Initiation













Joint doctrine development

community (JDDC) submission to fill

extant operational void

Joint Staff (JS) J-7 conducts frontend analysis

Joint Doctrine Planning Conference

validation

Program directive (PD) development

and staffing/joint working group

PD includes scope, references,

outline, milestones, and draft

authorship

JS J-7 approves and releases PD to

lead agent (LA) (Service, combatant

command, JS directorate)

JOINT DOCTRINE PUBLICATIONS HIERARCHY

JOINT

DOCTRINE

JP 1

LOGISTICS COMMUNICATIONS PERSONNEL INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS PLANS SYSTEM

JP 1-0 JP 2-0 JP 3-0 JP 4-0 JP 5-0 JP 6-0

LOGISTICS

JP 4-0

All joint publications are organized into a comprehensive hierarchy as shown in the chart above.

is in the series of joint doctrine publications. The diagram below

illustrates an overview of the development process:

Joint

Publication (JP) 4-02 Logistics