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An essay is presented on the role of the Indiana Legion, a state militia, as a home guard for the Union during the U.S. Civil War. The author notes the role of the legion in protecting Indiana residents near the Ohio River from guerrilla attacks by Confederate troops. The militia helped recruit troops, guard prisoners-of-war and arrest deserters. The effects of the militia's lack of manpower, military training and funding on its effectiveness as a military unit are noted.

This essay analyzes the origins, training, experiences, and recollections of Caucasian American Japanese language officers in the Pacific War of 1941-45. It focuses on the problems that they and the Marine Corps as an institution faced in trying to achieve effective cross-cultural communication in battle. It shows how their function shifted from simply translating so as to facilitate life-taking, to life-saving activities that helped bring the fighting to an earlier and less costly end. The essay challenges earlier portrayals of Marine behavior in the Pacific War as simply inhumane and emphasizes the necessity of the armed services' maintaining effective foreign language training programs in peace and war. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attempts to dispel the myths surrounding Civil War soldiers in the United States, through analysis of the drill training and combat performance of these. Outline of the myths; What led to the perceptions of these soldiers as being inferior; What distinguished the American Civil War from other wars.

Purpose: to develop an automated control system for the system of physical training of military personnel (cadets). Material and Methods: the following methods were used in the research: analysis of special scientific and methodical literature, structural analysis, mathematical modeling. Results: the automated control system is offered the main task of which consists in accumulation of information, processing of this information and establishment of causal and investigation relationships between the implementation of standards or their non- implementation for the purpose of further adjustment and the elimination of the interfering factors. Conclusions: invagination of ACS in the process of physical training of military personnel (cadets) will allow to provide the concrete orientation, the correct selection of means and methods for physical improvement of military personnel, and also the management of this process.

Cases of exertional heat stroke have been reported every year during basic training for Royal Thai Army (RTA) conscripts. Prevention is an important strategy to reduce the incidence of heat-related illnesses. We conducted a study to identify potential indicators for the prevention and monitoring of heat-related illnesses among military conscripts undergoing basic training in Thailand. All newly inducted RTA conscripts in 5 basic training units in 5 regions in Thailand were invited to participate in a prospective cohort study from May 1 to July 9, 2013. The incidence rate of heat-related illnesses and the incidence rate ratio (IRR) based on a Poisson regression model were used to identify the independent factors associated with heat-related illnesses, daily tympanic (body) temperatures higher than 37.5°C, >3% decreases in body weight in one day, and the production of dark brown urine. Eight hundred and nine men aged 21.4 (±1.13) years were enrolled in this study. The prevalence of a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2 was 5.5%. During the study period, 53 subjects (6.6%) representing 3.41/100 person-months (95% confidence interval (CI), 2.55–4.23) developed heat-related illnesses (excluding heat rash), and no subjects experienced heat stroke. The incidence rates of a daily tympanic temperature >37.5°C at least once, body weight loss of >3% per day, and the production of dark brown urine at least once were 8.27/100 person-months (95% CI, 7.69–8.93), 47.91/100 person-months (95% CI, 44.22–51.58), and 682.11/100 person-months (95% CI, 635.49–728.52), respectively. The sole identified independent factor related to the incidence of heat-related illnesses was a BMI ≥30 kg/m2 (adjusted IRR = 2.66, 95% CI, 1.01–7.03). In conclusion, a high BMI was associated with heat-related illnesses among conscripts undergoing basic training in Thailand. Daily monitoring of heat-related illnesses, body temperature, body weight and urine color in each new conscript during basic military training was feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Attrition from training is associated with substantial financial and personnel loss. There is a plethora of medical literature and research of attrition rates related to initial/phase 1 training (basic combat training); however, the analysis of second phase training (commanders training, consisting of schools that qualify junior commanders and officers for infantry and non-infantry combat units) is limited. The purpose of this study is to perform a comprehensive survey regarding to medical attrition from commanders training in the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) in order to present the commanders of the IDF a detailed situation report that will serve as an evidence-based platform for future policy planning and implementation.Methods: A cross-sectional study including all soldiers (23,841) who participated in commanders training in the IDF in the period of 2012-2015 was performed. Soldiers for whom the attrition reason (medical or not medical) was missing were excluded from this study. Data were collected from the adjutancy-computerized system as well as the IDF's computerized medical consultation records package (CPR). Descriptive statistics were performed using mean, standard deviation, and median in order to express results. For the determination of statistical significance, chi-square test, Student's t-test, and Poisson regression models were used.Results: Out of 23,841 soldiers that participated in this study, 75% (17,802) were males and 25% (6,039) were females. The overall attrition rate was 0.7% (164). The attrition rate for males was 0.86% (148 out of 17,082 males) and 0.26% (16 out of 6,039 females) for females. After adjusting for training unit, age, and BMI, the risk for attrition was 1.6 (160%) times higher for males as compared with females, and this result was statistically significant (IRR = 1.6, p = 0.01, CI 1.1, 2.2). The re-injury rate was 41% (68 out of 164 soldiers). The three most frequent diagnoses for attrition were orthopedics (66%), general surgery diagnoses (12%), and diagnoses related to internal medicine (11%). Out of 107 soldiers that attired due to orthopedic reasons, 36 (34%) suffered from calf and ankle injuries, 22 (21%) attired due to diagnoses related to the lower back, and 22 (21%) attired due to diagnoses related to the knee region. The highest attrition rate was encountered in the school for infantry junior command (2.2%) and the lowest rate was encountered in the officer training school for non-infantry units (0.11%). After adjusting for age and BMI, the risk for ankle injury was 2.55 (255%) times higher for soldiers in the school for infantry junior command as compared with soldiers in the officer school for infantry units (IRR = 2.55 p = 0.017, CI 1.18, 5.47).Conclusion: The attrition rate from commanders training in the IDF is low, and at this point, however, due to lack of uniform criteria for attrition, it cannot serve as an objective measure. We suggest measuring and discussing overuse injury rates (which is the most frequent cause of attrition), instead. Based on our results, we recommend an implementation of a better medical screening policy in order to reduce the re-injury rates during commanders training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Injuries sustained during Modern Army Combatives (MAC) tournaments can result in variable recovery time for involved competitors and unpredictable loss of readiness for military units. A paucity of MAC data is available to guide military medical providers and unit commanders on expected injuries or loss of readiness. Literature reviewing mixed martial arts competitions offers some insight but demonstrates variation in fight outcomes resulting in injuries ranging from 8.5% to 70% and it is difficult to effectively extrapolate such data to predict MAC tournament injuries.Materials and Methods: This study retrospectively reviews pre- and post-competition medical records from two MAC tournaments held at Fort Hood in 2014 and 2015 to provide descriptive clinical information on injury patterns to practitioners and military commanders.Results: Records from a total of 195 competitors with a mean age of 24.4 yr were analyzed with a total of 67 injuries, 29 of which resulted in duty limitations (14.8% of participants). Competitors participating in less-restrictive mixed martial arts style fighting (Advanced MAC) were 4.3 times more likely to sustain an injury than those limited to upper body grappling events (95% confidence interval 2.30-8.16). Military Acute Concussion Evaluations were reliably recorded both pre- and post-competition in 44% of total participants with no significant statistical difference between pre- and post-tournament evaluations. Duty profile limitations of injured competitors averaged 1 mo in duration.Conclusions: MAC tournaments result in injury rates comparable with other combative sports and military training courses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the impact of globalization on the international relations of New Zealand, which comprises of political, trade and economic interests. Topics discussed include other decisive factors such as global leadership of the U.S. though it has withdrawn from United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council, role of New Zealand in troop training commitment in Iraq, and New Zealand's successful candidacy for the UN Security Council.

Introduction: Few studies have reported the amount of physical activity (PA) and its associations to physical performance of warfighters during military field training (MFT). The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in neuromuscular performance and PA among male Finnish Army conscripts during a 21-d MFT and to evaluate their recovery during 4 d after MFT.Methods: Body composition and physical performance were measured four times during the study (before MFT (PRE), after 12 d (MID), post training (POST) and after 4 d of recovery (RECO)). PA was measured throughout MFT in a group of healthy young male conscripts (n=49) by using a tri-axial accelerometer. The study was approved by the Finnish Defence Forces and was granted ethics approval by the Ethics Committee of the University of Jyväskylä.Results: Body mass declined significantly from 73.5 ± 8.7 to 71.6 ± 8.2 kg, but it recovered close to the PRE values (73.0 ± 8.3 kg). The same trend was also found in skeletal muscle mass and fat mass. The change in body mass and in skeletal muscle mass correlated negatively with the change in vigorous physical activity (r = -0.374, p = 0.016, and r = -0.337, p = 0.031, respectively). Muscular endurance decreased significantly (p < 0.001) in sit-ups from the PRE (46 ± 9 reps/min) values compared with MID (40 ± 8 reps/min), POST (42 ± 8 reps/min), and RECO (34 ± 11 reps/min) values. Also in push-ups, the declines in the POST (34 ± 10 reps/min) and RECO (34 ± 13 reps/min) values (p < 0.001) from the PRE (40 ± 13 reps/min) and MID (39 ± 12 reps/min) values were observed. There was a significant decrease in a standing long jump in all measurement points MID (220 ± 20 cm), POST (216 ± 20 cm), and RECO (213 ± 20 cm) as compared with the PRE values (229 ± 23 cm, p < 0.001). There was no change in 3.2 km loaded march time between the PRE (23:57 ± 4:12 min:s) and POST (23:44 ± 5:02 min:s) measurement time points. In PA, the total number of steps per day was significantly (p < 0.001) greater during ST (13,722 ± 2,379 steps) and MFT (13,937 ± 2,276 steps) than during garrison days (9,550 ± 2,569 steps). In POST, there was significantly (p < 0.001) more light (1.5-3.0 metabolic equivalent) (2:34:38 ± 0:22:53 h:min:s in ST and 3:03:27 ± 0:23:24 h:min:s in MFT) and moderate (3.0-6.0 metabolic equivalent) (2:12:15 ± 0:23:14 h:min:s in ST and 2:47:59 ± 0:27:23 h:min:s in MFT) PA than in the PRE measurements.Conclusion: This study demonstrated slight decrements in warfighter physical performance during the 21-d MFT. The conscripts were overloaded during MFT, but 4 d of recovery seemed not to be enough to obtain the PRE measurement values in physical performance. This study also showed changes in the muscular endurance levels and PA during the 21-d MFT. It is important for warfighters to have a good physical fitness level PRE training or combat. As the prolonged MFT may have adverse effects in warfighters muscular endurance and PA levels, it is important to have sufficient recovery time after long MFT to regain combat readiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: This study, conducted over a 2‐year period at 9 sites, describes the outcomes of an evidence‐based support program, Operation Family Caregiver, to gain an understanding of how a tailored, problem‐solving training could assist military caregivers, who provide care and assistance to those injured, ill, or disabled as a result of war. Method: A pre‐post research design was employed to examine caregiver burden, depression, health complaints, satisfaction with life, children's anxiety, and problem solving among a convenience sample of caregivers of 128 military service members and veterans. Results: Analysis revealed a decrease in depression, burden, and health complaints and an increase in satisfaction of life and positive problem‐solving skills (p < .001). Conclusion: This program may be beneficial to caregiving families of military service and veterans living with posttraumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, and/or a physical disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Overuse injuries are responsible for most lost training days and attrition from combat training in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) as in armies around the world. The purpose of this study is to understand the rates, types, and mechanism of occurrence of overuse injuries in the IDF in order to provide the IDF's commanders a detailed updated situation report in order to enable commanders decision-making, prevention policy, and further research of this highly significant military public health issue.Methods: A cross-sectional study including 20,000 soldiers recruited to combat units during the year of 2013 was performed. Most of the data were collected from the IDF's computerized medical consultation records package. Descriptive statistics (percent, mean, standard deviation, and median) were used in order to express results. The study was approved by the IDF's institutional review board.Results: The overall injury rate was 24.5%. The total number of injuries was 6,393 with an average of 1.32 ± 0.22 injuries per injured soldier. The injury rate was 18.4% in the infantry units and 36.1% in non-infantry units. Of all injuries, 87% occurred in the lower back and lower limb regions. The most frequent injury sites were the calf and ankle (34%), the knee region (22%), and the lower back (19%). Of all injuries, 74% occurred during running (45%) or long-distance walking (29%). The average lost training days due to injuries was 9 d per soldier and 6.5 d per injury. The total number of stress fractures was 494-2.5% of all soldiers (four fractures per 100 person years). The calf and ankle region was the most frequent site of stress fractures and accounted for 84% of all stress fractures, the vast majority of them (95%) were fractures of the distal tibia. The average number of lost training days due to stress fractures was 16 ± 6.1 per fracture.Conclusions: As in other armies around the world, overuse injuries in the IDF are a major public health problem and poses a significant challenge to the IDF's commanders and the medical corps policy leaders. Further studies should be performed in order to identify the risk factors for these injuries especially in the lower back and the lower limb regions as part of the effort to try and reduce the rates of these injuries as much as possible. This study emphasizes the need for a continuous surveillance and monitoring system for overuse injuries as a significant and integral component of any intervention plan in the domain of overuse injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Health care delivery in military conflicts implies high-stress environments. Hemorrhage is the first cause of survivable death among combat casualties, and tourniquet application is one of the most critical lifesaving interventions on the battlefield. However, previous studies have shown high failure rates in tourniquet application. Our study aimed to assess the correlation between personality traits that may interfere with effective tourniquet application in a simulated extremity hemorrhage.Materials: Seventy-two French soldiers, previously trained to forward combat casualty care, were evaluated by self-administered questionnaires and submitted to the simulation in group of six. We focused on measuring the empathic personality of the subjects, their peer-to-peer relationships (altruism), as well as their relationship to themselves (mindfulness and self-esteem). The effectiveness of the tourniquet was evidenced by the interruption of the popliteal artery flow Doppler signal. A composite variable called "efficiency" was defined by elimination of popliteal pulse Doppler signal in less than 60 s.Results: Tourniquet application interrupted arterial flow in 37 participants (51.39%). Efficiency was obtained by 19 participants (26.39%). We observed that soldiers with high active altruism applied less-efficient tourniquet (odds ratio = 0.15; 95% confidence interval = 0.04-0.59). On the contrary, soldiers with high self-esteem scores applied more efficient tourniquet (odds ratio = 3.95; 95% confidence interval = 1.24-12.56). There was no significant difference concerning empathy and mindfulness scores.Conclusion: Tourniquet application is technically simple but painful and may involve personal sensitivity. These initial findings highlight the necessity to further explore the psychological processes involved in lifesaving interventions. Self-esteem stands out as a real asset in terms of military competence and resilience, a major prerequisite in stressful situations. Changing altruistic motivations of soldiers is likely not desirable, but being aware of its potential effects may help to develop personal adaptive strategies and to optimize collective training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: In modern warfare, almost 25% of combat-related deaths are considered preventable if life-saving interventions are performed. Therefore, Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) training for soldiers is a major challenge. In 2014, the French Military Medical Service supported the development of 3D-SC1®, a serious game designed for the French TCCC program, entitled Sauvetage au Combat de niveau 1 (SC1). Our study aimed to evaluate the impact on performance of additional training with 3D-SC1®.Material and Methods: The study assessed the performance of soldiers randomly assigned to one of two groups, before (measure 1) and after (measure 2) receiving additional training. This training involved either 3D-SC1® (Intervention group), or a DVD (Control group). The principal measure was the individual performance (on a 16-point scale), assessed by two investigators during a hands-on simulation. First, the mean performance score was compared between the two measures for Intervention and Control groups using a two-tailed paired t-test. Second, a multivariable linear regression was used to determine the difference in the impacts of 3D-SC1® and DVD training, and the order of presentation of the two scenarios, on the mean change from baseline in performance scores.Results and Discussion: A total of 96 subjects were evaluated: seven could not be followed-up, while 50 were randomly allocated to the Intervention group, and 39 to the Control group. Between measure 1 and measure 2, the mean (SD) performance score increased from 9.9 (3.13) to 14.1 (1.23), and from 9.4 (2.97) to 12.5 (1.83), for the Intervention group and Control group, respectively (p<0.0001). The adjusted mean difference in performance scores between 3D-SC1® and DVD training was 1.1 (95% confidence interval -0.3, 2.5) (p=0.14). Overall, the study found that supplementing SC1 training with either 3D-SC1® or DVD improved performance, assessed by a hands-on simulation. However, our analysis did not find a statistically significant difference between the effects of these two training tools. 3D-SC1® could be an efficient and pedagogical tool to train soldiers in life-saving interventions. In the current context of terrorist threat, a specifically-adapted version of 3D-SC1®may be a cost-effective and engaging way to train a large civilian public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We surveyed themilitary training areaAdazi to evaluate the effects of disturbance caused by military activities on the abundance of protected bird species considered to benefit from disturbances at the site (SCBD).We collected data on the abundance of the selected bird species in a set of representative sample plots during three repeated surveys. In each plotwemapped areas affected by different visually detectable disturbances ofmilitary origin and areas covered by EU protected habitat types. Overall abundance and richness of SCBD were calculated for each of the surveyed squares. Generalised linear modelling was used to relate the recorded abundance of each species, and the overall abundance and richness of SCBD, with the available habitat and military disturbance parameters. We evaluated a set of competitive models to identify the most important explanatory variables. The modelling results imply clear positive effects of most of the military activities on the analysed species as well as overall species richness. The variables describing the availability of habitats alone could not explain as large variation in the data as together with the disturbance variables. The results show that the recent (up to one year) andmoderately recent (up to two years) disturbances were themost important tomaintain the habitats. The results suggest that these species tend to occupy the newly created suitable habitat patches in the next breeding season. At the time of the study, there was no measurable negative effect of the military activities on abundance and richness of the analysed species. However, some negative effects ofmilitary activities on species behaviour were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last decade, the nature and purpose of wars have changed, along with the rules and methods of conducting military activities. The problem of chronic stress has come to be a significant factor in foreign peacekeeping and policing missions. Physical training and psychological methods have been covered so far in the preparation and management of the stock in extreme environments. Our examination of the neurobiological side concerns the process. We assume that the biological state of the 60-year-old healthy population is closest to the situation of younger, distressed people. We studied the effect of water with high oxygen content (Kaqun water) on cardiovascular and mental functions of elderly people in a randomized, doubleblind, control group study. We have examined the plethysmogram, the standard deviation of the pulse in relaxed state and under load with the tools of heart rate variability (HRV) analysis, the speed of vasodilation (flexibility), blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), oxygen saturation, simple reaction time (SRT) and cognitive reaction time (CRT). We experienced significant changes in the reduction of systolic blood pressure, reflex time and cognitive time, stress index. These are early signs of changes in chronic stress. The use of Kaqun water has normalized the status of test subjects. Based on this--as well as our experience--the use of Kaqun water is also recommended in operational conditions to increase combat ability, regeneration and rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: U.S. Army internists serve in a variety of provider roles during deployment, many of which vary from the traditional responsibilities of a general internist or internal medicine subspecialist. There is significant interest in defining specific clinical and procedural skills in which Army internists may require refresher training after deployment, but information to quantify and clarify these needs is lacking.Materials and Methods: An online, anonymous survey was created to assess Army internists' experience and comfort level with specialty-specific problems and procedures before and after deployment. This survey was distributed via the Army Central Simulation Committee to all U.S. Army internists eligible for deployment. The survey was available online from January 11, 2012, to March 9, 2012.Results: Ninety-seven of all 115 (84%) U.S. Army internists eligible for deployment responded. The reported comfort level with core clinical problems in general internal medicine before and after deployment did not change, with the exception of decreased comfort with the performance of advanced cardiac life support (87% versus 76% comfortable, p = 0.035), evaluation and management of anemia (92% versus 83% comfortable, p = 0.039), and comfort with preoperative risk stratification and mitigation (81% versus 65% comfortable, p = 0.017). Providers' reported comfort level performing core internal medicine procedures decreased, including significant decreases with lumbar puncture (p < 0.001), arterial line placement (p = 0.02), ultrasound-guided central line placement (p = 0.01), ultrasound-guided thoracentesis (p = 0.004), and arthrocentesis (p = 0.01). Despite a reported deceased comfort with certain core clinical problems and procedural skills, only 10 of 68 (13%) respondents reported being offered refresher skills training following deployment.Conclusion: Although Army internists' comfort with core general internal medicine clinical problems remains largely unaffected by deployment, confidence in core internal medicine procedures suffers because of limited opportunities to practice these skills in the deployed setting. Skills training and assessment in procedures required for individual provider practice should be a primary focus of reintegration after deployment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Military theorists and practitioners have long argued that training shapes how combatants treat civilians during war. Yet there is little systematic evidence regarding the impact of training on wartime behavior, and almost none for non-state armed groups, despite the fact that such groups intensively train their fighters in order to shape their behavior towards civilian populations. This article argues that among insurgent groups that emphasize the strategic and tactical importance of restraint towards civilian populations, political training can reduce civilian killings. We test the observable implications of our theory in the case of Colombia, using survey data on former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) insurgents and sub-national data on civilian killings. We find support for our hypothesis, with results that are robust to a range of model specifications and controls, including alternate sources of combatant discipline and obedience, such as military training and punishment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Naval Surface Forces provide care in austere environments with unique facility, personnel, and material limitations that can put the patient at risk without proper consideration of these circumstances. Tailored shipboard education currently exists but is greatly dependent on the time, preferences, expertise, and ability of a single teaching officer, allowing for significant variability in the level of training.Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty-two individuals were trained in 19 topics presented over 12 months through the Naval Surface Forces Pacific Command Medical Readiness Division to all surface providers on Naval Base San Diego. Participants completed pre- and post-course assessments for each training session based on the objectives of the lesson, as well as reassessments and subjective course critiques every 3 months.Results: Fifteen of 19 courses showed more than 20% improvement, with a range of improvement from 21 to 67%, and an average of 30% (95% confidence interval: 26.1-33.8, p < 0.001). Short-term follow-up showed higher-than-baseline scores at 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-up; these were significantly higher than nonattendees (p = 0.003, 0.05, 0.004, respectively). Students who reported being either very confident or very confident and comfortable with teaching the content increased from 40.6% before the course to 60.8% after the course. Pre- (p = 0.02) and post- (p = 0.01) course level of confidence was directly correlated to students' assessment of the courses' applicability, with increasing level of confidence correlating to a perceived increase in applicability of the material.Conclusion: This study demonstrates improvement in Naval surface provider knowledge and attitudes in a variety of subject areas after implementation of a novel curriculum tailored specifically to address the unique considerations for practice at sea. Material was beneficial to all trainees despite significant differences in training background. Confidence gained as a result of the course was directly correlated to perceived relevance of the material, but not to educational background. Future work could investigate the use of curriculum in deployed providers and incorporation into current training of the OPNAVINST 6400.1c, Appendix A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Upper respiratory tract infection (URI) is a well-documented cause of morbidity, extra expense, and lost training time among basic military trainees (BMTs). The goal of this study was to characterize the clinical presentation of influenza in the BMT population and to better understand how this presentation differs from that of the general Department of Defense (DoD) beneficiary population (non-BMTs).Materials and Methods: Clinical and demographic data were collected in a prospective study that enrolled DoD beneficiaries presenting to medical treatment facilities in San Antonio, Texas, with URI symptoms between January 2005 and March 2011. Vital signs and symptom duration were collected at the time of enrollment along with basic demographic information.Results: Among 4,448 participants enrolled, 466 (10.5%) tested positive for influenza: 198 of 3,103 BMTs (6.4%) vs. 268 of 1,345 non-BMTs (20%) (p < 0.01); 412 of 466 had complete data for nine symptom-related variables. BMTs were more likely to be Caucasian males and younger than non-BMTs. BMTs had a higher temperature at the time of presentation (101.5°F vs. 100.5°F, p < 0.01). BMTs presented less frequently than non-BMTs with chills (79.7% vs. 94.4%, p < 0.01), malaise (62.1% vs. 87.0%, p < 0.01), nausea (30.2% vs. 43.0%, p < 0.01), and vomiting (12.1% vs. 21.7%, p = 0.01). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that BMTs were less likely to have the four symptoms compared to non-BMTs even after controlling for gender and age (chills: odds ratio [OR] = 0.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.1-0.6, p < 0.01; malaise: OR = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.3-0.8, p < 0.01; nausea: OR = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.3-0.8, p < 0.01; vomiting: OR = 0.4, 95% CI = 0.2-0.8, p < 0.01). Although there was no difference in the frequency of subjective fever between the two groups, reported duration of fever was significantly shorter in BMTs than non-BMTs: median of 1 day (range 0-10) vs. 2 days (range 0-8) (p < 0.01). BMTs presented with a composite symptom index mean of 6.2 (standard deviation = 1.4) symptoms, whereas non-BMTs presented with a mean of 6.9 (standard deviation = 1.3) symptoms (p < 0.01).Conclusions: The pretest probability of a BMT presenting with URI symptoms having influenza is significantly lower than that for the general DoD beneficiary population. BMTs with influenza presented sooner, with higher fever, and with fewer overall symptoms than the general DoD beneficiary population. These differences are likely attributable to early reporting and response bias and less likely attributed to age. Military efforts to identify BMTs with suspected influenza infection early and to refer them for treatment promptly are efficacious. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Department of Defense (DoD) is actively pursuing the use of Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) simulation to provide cost-effective training. A credible means to evaluate the use ofLVC simulation as a training tool for warfighters, however, is lacking. This paper provides a detailed case study of a recent United States Air Force Command and Control (C2) LVC training event that demonstrates a tailored approach for developing measurements to understand and evaluate C2 LVC training effectiveness. First, a survey of applicable evaluation techniques is presented. Next, a repeatable approach for identifying and defining effectiveness measurements is provided. Lastly, results from the C2 LVC training event are examined to demonstrate the viability of the proposed approach, utility of the suggested measurements, and suggestions are offered for improving C2 LVC training performance and evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background This service evaluation explored personnel's preparedness for deploying on the UK's military response to the Ebola crisis in West Africa. Aims To capture the views of medical and support personnel in relation to the pre-deployment training they received for that mission. Methods Two separate groups nominated to attend pre-deployment training completed a survey on the first and last day of their course. Participants were asked to subjectively rate the quality of training and identity aspects of their preparation they found particularly positive, those that generated concerns and to suggest future improvements. Results Subjective ratings of preparedness for all aspects of the mission significantly improved by the last day of training among both groups of trainees (P < 0.001). Thematic analysis of qualitative data established that unit support and practical aspects of training were positively received. For group 1, a prevalent concern on the first and last day of training was a fear of the unknown. Group 2 respondents were concerned about the quality of information and its transmission and the time available to prepare. Respondents in both groups reported the need for consistent and timely information and for the training to be refined for those undertaking a non-clinical role. Conclusions The collective training package was highly effective in preparing personnel to feel more confident and competent to undertake the medical mission in West Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A response from the authors of the article "Is High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT)/CrossFit Safe for Military Fitness Training?" in the previous issue is presented.

Specialized studies show how a fighter should physically be, not just any fighter, but the one who possesses the qualities and features of the ideal model, i.e. those elements that define the near-perfect fighter. The demands of the modern battlefield impose a high quality human potential that provides a good basis for the selection and training of fighters. Resistance to physical, climate, season and weather condition demands, to the prolonged efforts fighting requires is one of the important conditions of success. The paper presents information with particular impact in optimizing exercise capacity for future officers of the land forces, emphasizing once again the idea that a high level of motric ability is an essential objective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern international security environment requires that future leaders training should be polyvalent. This article aims to present the tremendous benefit that SERE training brings in Land Forces officers training and education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main and unchangeable principle of aviation activities is to preserve the conditions for safe flying. In present conditions, in constantly growing tasks, aviation requires organizational and methodological treatments at the highest quality. Article is devoted to the analysis of parametric information accumulated through on-board storage media registration of flight data. The article presents selected examples of methods and tools to analyze data and identify corrective and / or preventive actions, which help to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the entire process of flight training. Conducted in the article discussion and examples highlight the important role of objective flight control as a tool for continuous monitoring of the level of security of performed air tasks in terms of piloting techniques and technical efficiency of the aircraft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on major Arthur Nevin's musical activities during the World War I in which he serves as the cantonment's song leader, a position responsible for instructing nearly forty thousand soldiers-in-training in the art of community singing. Topics discussed include his conduct of world premiere of his oneact opera "A Daughter of the Forest" at the Chicago Opera Co., his engagement of various spectrum of style idioms and his musical pedigree including at the New England Conservatory.

Virtual Reality is a computer-generated, mock environment that can allow people to interact with it in a seemingly real way by using certain types of specialized equipment. It is mainly used for training or educational purposes and allows for "real-life" training in a safe and monitored environment. Virtual training can be used in many different fields such as medical, military, biomedical research, aviation, and many others. However, this paper reviews the most cited publications related to the application of virtual reality for training in the United States Military. As a result, researchers can find research venues based on the challenges, risk, and infrastructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, the military conflict success consists of understanding the way of doing the combat at every level and this relies on the competency, initiative and self-confidence of leaders in every appointment. The core mission of Land Forces Academy is to get ready these leaders in order to answer to all challenges imposed by the modern operational environment. The core mission of trainers is to find out new means and methods to level up the training process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]