The interaction between military education and health: a survey among conscripts undergoing officer training in...

An increasing number of soldiers are unable to finish their military training because of health problems. In the summer of 1999, 236 (96%) of 246 officer training school applicants in Harstad, Northern Norway, were enrolled in the survey. Those selected for military education estimated their physical condition better (p < 0.02), participated in athletic sport more frequently (p < 0.05), and smoked four times less (p < 0.001) than those who were dismissed. Thirty-nine percent of those accepted for further military education went to see the doctor during the 3-week introductory period compared with 20% among those who were dismissed (p < 0.002). The overall consultation rate in the introductory period was 52.5 per 100 cadet months. During the rest of the education, the consultation rate dropped significantly to 43.1 (p < 0.02). The magnitude of health-related problems during military education is a concern from a medical point of view and can, at least in part, be attributed to the level of physical activity of the military education.