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The Cost of Deploying a Role 2 Medical Asset to Afghanistan
Richard Childers1, Paul Parker2
1Emergency Department, U.S. Naval Hospital, Guam, PSC 490 Box 7606, FPO, AP 96538-1600.
Objectives:
The costs of military assets, including medical resources, are necessary for military planners when determining their force make up. The monetary cost of operating a Role 3 unit, the most comprehensive medical asset in the combat theater, has been determined. The cost of operating a Role 2 (R2) facility-the less comprehensive but more common asset-has not been assessed. Here we estimate the cost of operating an R2 medical asset in Afghanistan.
Methods:
Personnel costs were assessed by combining the U.S. Department of Defense estimate for personnel cost with the replacement costs for deployed staff. Manning was for a U.S. Marine Corps Shock Trauma Platoon and Forward Resuscitative Surgical System.
Results:
It costs $2,956,873 a month to operate an R2 medical facility in Afghanistan. It also takes the place of a rifle platoon and disrupts the domestic military health care mission.
Conclusion:
The costs of operating an R2 medical facility are significant and should be considered when the medical benefits of an R2 are unclear.
