THE MILITARY GYNECOLOGIST IN A LOW-INTENSITY CONFLICT ENVIRONMENT

U.S. military medical personnel have been assigned to Honduras since A ugust 1983. While reserve components have 2-week assignments and Air F orce medics receive 3-month assignments, U.S. Army medical personnel a re assigned for 6-month tours. Duties include rendering medical care a nd air evacuation capability to all U.S. Forces in the Central America n area of operations, conducting medical civic action programs termed MEDRETES, and assisting the host government in developing and conducti ng a health care system for indigent rural Hondurans. Gynecological ca re to women soldiers assigned to this low-intensity conflict environme nt and gynecological surgery capability for indigent Hondurans has bee n one important aspect of the military medical presence.