Combat medics' support for soldiers abroad is not the only medical service provided by the Army. Many specialists also provide treatments to off-duty soldiers as well as their families.
Despite training emphasizing combat medicine, more focus was placed on disease and wellness in the second half of the 20th century. Today, treatments range from psychiatric care to dentistry. Clinics in the United States and around the world also provide care to soldiers' families, too.
In the past decade, mental health has become a primary concern for Army medical experts, as programs have trained medical professionals to identify signs psychological issues. The Army has also recruited psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers in greater numbers to treat conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a type of anxiety disorder people may experience after a traumatic event.
Despite its historical roots, Army medical training is constantly changing -- read more on the next page.