A descriptive study of US Special Operations Command fatalities, 2001 to 2018
Russ S Kotwal1, Edward L Mazuchowski, Caryn A Stern
1From the Defense Health Agency, Combat Support-Joint Trauma System (R.S.K., E.L.M., C.A.S., H.R.M., J.C.J., J.T.H., F.K.B., J.M.G., S.A.S.), Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Uniformed Services University (R.S.K., E.L.M., J.M.G., S.A.S.), Bethesda, Maryland; College of Medicine, Texas A&M University (R.S.K.), College Station, Texas; Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, Defense Health Agency (E.L.M.), Dover Air Force Base, Dover, Delaware; United States Army Institute of Surgical Research (J.M.G.), Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston; Center for Translational Injury Research, The University of Texas Health Science Center (J.B.H.), Houston, Texas; Department of Surgery, The University of Texas Health Science Center, University of Texas (J.T.H., B.J.E.), San Antonio, Texas.
Most United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) fatalities result from injuries sustained in the prehospital setting, primarily abroad. Enhancing prehospital care and rapid access to advanced medical treatment are crucial for improving survival rates.
Area of Science:
- Military medicine
- Trauma research
- Public health surveillance
Background:
- Understanding injury and disease fatalities is vital for guiding prevention and treatment strategies.
- Findings inform clinical practice, research priorities, and resource allocation for at-risk populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the characteristics and causes of fatalities within the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).
- To identify trends in death related to military activities from 2001 to 2018.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review and descriptive analysis of USSOCOM fatalities (September 11, 2001 - September 10, 2018).
- Analysis of characteristics including subcommand, military activity, operational posture, and manner of death.
- Epidemiological study, Level IV evidence; Therapeutic study, Level IV evidence.
Main Results:
- Of 614 fatalities, 97.7% were due to injury, with leading causes including multiple/blunt force injury (34.5%), blast injury (30.7%), and gunshot wounds (GSW; 30.3%).
- Most fatalities occurred abroad (87.1%), during combat (85.3%), in the prehospital environment (91.5%), and on the same day of injury (90.4%).
- Homicide was the primary manner of death (66.0%), with GSW and blast injuries being leading causes; accidents accounted for 30.5%, often due to aircraft mishaps.
Conclusions:
- The majority of USSOCOM fatalities die from injuries sustained in the prehospital setting, often while deployed internationally.
- Optimizing prehospital capabilities and ensuring rapid connection to advanced resuscitative and surgical care are essential for enhancing survival in military operations globally.
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