Mass casualties on the modern battlefield: a view from the 1st Armored Division (US)

Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm will go down in history as a resounding success. However, future successes will depend on how much we take away from this experience in the form of lessons learned. This article is a warning message on the need for medical preparedness. The medical personnel shortage remains a problem for both commanders of field units and medical staff. The Professional Filler System, which provides clinicians to deploying combat medical and line units, is not aggressively administered and maintained. Medical Tactical Standard Operating Procedures are not fully integrated, nor are they used in Mission Essential Task List training. LOGOVERWATCH has potential but needs refinement. Finally, important medical and communication equipment needs upgrading to current state-of-the-art standards. On the plus side, the Combat LifeSaver program works well for intensive training on chemical casualties care. Combined with the high state of training and motivation of soldiers and medical professionals, many of the current shortcomings have been masked. This situation cannot go on indefinitely without a degradation of mission capability.