Pertussis in the Military
Abstract: Pertussis (whooping cough) is not typically considered an infectious disease of military significance, as its most severe manifestations are primarily restricted to unimmunised children. Pertussis is increasing, particularly in Australia and the Pacific Islands, due to falling immunisation rates and the post-COVID pandemic surge in all respiratory infections. Obscure outbreaks of chronic cough in… Read more »
Editorial – The Last Total War
In 2025, we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Second World War – the last ‘total war.’ As a country, we are fortunate that we have not seen any further ‘total wars’ since 1945, but this does not preclude them occurring in the future. ‘Total war’, as a concept, arose at the end of the… Read more »
Assessing spiritual wounds and injuries—Some Initial Thinking
Abstract This paper aims to provide some initial thinking on determining the basis for assessment of the existence, severity, and nature of a Spiritual Wound and Injury (SW&I) within an individual. The conditions, behaviours, and Red-Actions (serious, life-threatening, harmful) actions of an SW&I discussed in an earlier paper in this journal1 require a thorough and… Read more »
Changing military medical standards—Are we doing harm?
‘I am trying to arrange transport for two or three thousand “B” class men; they are absolutely unfit for service. Many of them do not disclose any organic disease upon a carefully conducted clinical examination, but are in and out of hospital, and are quite useless for front line, and practically useless for Home Service….Far… Read more »
Psychological Assessment for Military Selection: Past, Present and Future Applications
Abstract Psychological assessments for selecting military personnel have played a crucial role in enhancing training effectiveness, ensuring job success and, where possible, reducing mental health casualties in war zones. This article traces the development of psychological assessment for military selection through the World Wars to modern-day procedures. Two main themes emerge from this analysis: firstly,… Read more »
Injuries, Physical Fitness, and Body Mass Index in a Population of U.S. Army Reserve Personnel
Abstract Introduction US Army Reserve personnel are expected to meet the same fitness and readiness standards as their Active Duty counterparts, but little is known about health factors among Reservists. This investigation presents data on injuries, fitness and body mass index (BMI) for Reservists participating in a new health and fitness program. Methods Twenty-one US… Read more »
Needed Evolution in Afloat Teleradiology and Imaging Capabilities
Introduction The concept of telemedicine dates back nearly 120 years, when William Einthoven won the Nobel Prize for transmitting the first EKG via telephone over 1.5 km.1 Teleradiology has since evolved to allow specialists to review medical imaging remotely, facilitating faster and higher-quality patient care.2 While ordering physicians can provide preliminary reads, the American College… Read more »
Importance of the Spleen to Survival from P falciparum
Abstract: P falciparum infections carry a considerable mortality risk, but the nature of the ‘immunity’ gained from infection experience is uncertain. Although anaemia may contribute some protection against mortality, the function of the spleen appears critical to controlling P falciparum parasitemia and increasing survival. Melanesian reports suggest that survival advantages of P vivax infections and… Read more »
Blending Power with Force: The Power of Mindfulness and its relevance to the Australian Defence Force
Introduction The Commander of the coalition forces in Iraq, US Army Major General Walter Piatt, had the job of walking the tightrope every minute of his role. On the one hand, there was the relentless pursuit of enemies, while on the other lay the delicate diplomacy with tribal leaders to restore peace. At his disposal,… Read more »
Chronic Pain in Veterans – A Way Forward
Abstract Chronic pain is three times more prevalent in veterans than in the non-veteran population, with a link to trauma and mental health conditions. At the 45th International Committee of Military Medicine (ICMM) World Congress, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) hosted a pre-congress workshop to address the barriers that both veterans and healthcare providers… Read more »
2025 AMMA Conference Abstract
A Cure for Phantom Limb Pain? Dr Kylie Hall A new surgical management of the nerves now prevents neuroma formation and prevents severe pain PLP. Phantom limb pain (PLP) arises from the absence of distal neural connections at the severed nerve, representing a form of neural “rewiring” after amputation. Nearly everyone who undergoes amputation will… Read more »
2025 AMMA Conference Poster Presentations
A Longitudinal Investigation of Natural Killer Cell Cytotoxicity in Australian Veterans with Gulf War Illness Miss Jessica Dwyer1,2, Dr Natalie Eaton-Fitch1, Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik1 1 National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia 2 School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia Biography: Jessica Dwyer is a Research… Read more »
Military Mortality on Pacific Islands: Implications for Future Armed Conflicts
Abstract: Future armed conflict in the Indo-Pacific region may see small detachments of soldiers deployed on isolated Pacific Islands for extended periods. Historical experiences with such deployments, particularly during World War II, are reviewed to give insight into possible medical problems and their countermeasures. The 8th Division of the Second Australian Imperial Force (2 AIF)… Read more »
We Dare Not Fail: Preparing Junior Military Medical Officers for 21st-century Conflict
‘The mothers and fathers of America will give you their sons and daughters…with the confidence in you that you will not needlessly waste their lives. And you dare not. That’s the burden the mantle of leadership places upon you… It is an awesome responsibility. You cannot fail. You dare not fail…’ – General H Norman… Read more »
Editorial – Military Speculative Fiction
In 1961, Edward Carr noted that ‘the past is intelligible to us only in the light of the present, and we can fully understand the present only in the light of the past’.1 George Chesney’s story of the invasion of England in the Battle of Dorking (1871), one of the early attempts to predict the… Read more »
Effects of Lighting Conditions on Psychophysiological Re-sponses and Motor Skills in Warfighters During Close Quarter Combat Simulations
Abstract: This study examines the impact of lighting conditions (darkness, rotational light and continuous light) on warfighters’ psychophysiological responses and fine motor skills in close-quarter combat (CQC) simulations. The study assessed the rate of perceived exertion, blood lactate concentration, cortical arousal, isometric lumbar and leg strength, and the time required to reload a pistol magazine… Read more »
Psychological Coping Mechanisms in Military Physicians: A Qualitative Exploration of Stress Management Strategies
Abstract Background: This qualitative study investigates the coping strategies utilised by military physicians facing the dual demands of military service and healthcare provision. Recognising the unique stressors within this professional context, the study aims to identify both adaptive and maladaptive coping mechanisms employed by military physicians. Methods: A purposive sample of 18 military physicians from… Read more »
Creative Engagement by Wounded, Injured or Ill Australian Defence Force Personnel
Abstract While there has long been an extensive range of medical, pharmaceutical, psychological, physiological, spiritual and physical programs available to ADF personnel seeking health assistance, allied health practices—particularly creative arts interventions—are still relatively new in the wellbeing context. The Australian Defence Force Arts for Recovery, Resilience, Teamwork and Skills Program (hereafter, ADF ARRTS) is an… Read more »
Stuart Naval Warfare, Ships and Medicine 1603–1714
Introduction Previous articles in this series described the development of a cycle from prehistory to 1900, whereby increasing maritime trade necessitated larger and more efficient ships to transport merchandise and better weapons to defend or attack them, facilitating further trading opportunities.1,2,3,4,5,6,7 However, it was not until the 18th century that Western medicine had developed sufficiently… Read more »
The Evolution of Operational Health support Provided to the United States, United Kingdom and Australian Special Operations Forces from 1940–2024
Introduction Over the last 85 years, medical support to Special Operations Forces (SOF) units has evolved from rudimentary beginnings to highly sophisticated care. While some of this evolution reflects changes in clinical medicine during that period, particularly in civilian trauma management, the progress in health support in other areas reflects the innovative forefront of military… Read more »
2025 AMMA Conference
