Prevalence of injuries and illnesses of a Reserve Separate Infantry Brigade (Mechanized) during annual training

Approximately 1,500 reserve soldiers conducted annual training in the same geographical location and in the same season during 4 consecutive years. This unique situation allowed the authors to collect data on the incidence of illnesses and injuries, and assess environmental and weather influences on readiness and training effectiveness during 10 days of field training exercises. The authors demonstrate that the health of the force and medical preventive countermeasures are decisive contributors to military success or failure.