Injuries and Illnesses among Armor Brigade Soldiers during Operational Training

Abstract

This study describes injury and illness rates and some risk factors among soldiers from an armor division during a rotation at the National Training Center (Fort Irwin, California). Soldiers from a brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division were involved in a 5-week training exercise at the National Training Center. Health care visits were systematically recorded by the unit medics. Of 4,101 men and 413 women who participated in the exercise, 504 soldiers (409 men and 95 women) sought medical care at the main support medical clinic or Weed Army Community Hospital. The rates of injury and illness visits were 1.2% and 0.6% per week for men and 2.3% and 2.2% per week for women, respectively. Women had twice the risk of an injury and 3.5 times the risk of an illness, compared with men. Compared with other branches, combat service support soldiers had higher rates of injuries and illnesses. Enlisted soldiers of lower rank (E1-E4) experienced higher injury and illness rates than did noncommissioned officers and commissioned officers. Musculoskeletal injuries, environmental conditions, and dermatological conditions accounted for most visits.

The Incidence of Low Back Pain in Active Duty United States Military Service Members

“…The authors postulate that members of the Marine Corps may demonstrate Knapik et al 41 found a 23% rate of low back injury resulting from a 5-day-road march with a 46-kg fi ghting load. Darakjy et al 26 assessed the injury rate during operational training exercises and found a similar distribution of total injury rate according to rank group with the highest injury rate in junior enlisted and lowest rate in the offi cers. 26 Another potential factor affecting the rate of low back pain in these service members is the difference in educational level, which has been shown to infl uence rates of low back pain.…”

“…Darakjy et al 26 assessed the injury rate during operational training exercises and found a similar distribution of total injury rate according to rank group with the highest injury rate in junior enlisted and lowest rate in the offi cers. 26 Another potential factor affecting the rate of low back pain in these service members is the difference in educational level, which has been shown to infl uence rates of low back pain. 29 A prerequisite of becoming an offi cer is obtaining a higher educational level, whereas enlisted service members are only required to have a high-school diploma or graduate equivalency factors are associated with the development of low back pain.…”

“…The referent category in each group was chosen on the basis of the subgroup with the lowest incident rate for previously studied musculoskeletal disorders. 26 This study received institutional review board approval. No external funding was received for this study.…”

Injuries and injury risk factors among British army infantry soldiers during predeployment training

“…Soldiers of lower rank are more likely to perform the physical tasks that put them at higher injury risk (eg, general section rifleman duties). Those of older age and higher rank are more likely to be in staff or supervisory positions, and therefore less exposed to the physical hazards that put them at risk of injury 7 29…”

The incidence and prevention of foot problems among male Phase One British Army recruits at an Army Training Regiment

“…Known preventive measures include comfortable footwear, which includes correct sizing of boots, insoles and quality of socks 11. Assigning running shoes based on plantar shape has little influence on injury even after controlling for other injury risk factors;12–14 education and medical surveillance is required to help improve known foot problems and double pack straps help by distributing weight 15. Treatment includes education and preventative hygiene measures as well as antiperspirants 5.…”