READINESS - OBSERVATIONS AND COMMENTS FROM A MEDICAL TEAM DEPLOYMENT

The evolving strategy of the United States in dealing with the changin g world order calls for a force structure capable of fighting and winn ing two nearly simultaneous major regional conflicts and conducting a range of other military operations, Readiness is a key factor in this new strategy. Consequently, major paradigm shifts are occurring within the Air Force Medical Service. Maintaining current and accurate medic al records on personnel to meet deployment requirements is a significa nt challenge, Historically, time and resources are consumed determinin g the deployability of troops prior to a deployment, This adds to the cost of doing business and increases the time required to clear the de ploying team, even though there is an established process to avoid the se very problems. The experience of a recent medical team deployment t o Bosnia is discussed. Future directions given the implementation of T RICARE, the Preventive Health Assessment Program, and the Strategic He alth Resourcing Plan are also considered.