To address a large and complex problem such as injuries in the US Army, a systematic approach is needed.1 This approach should include routine assessment of surveillance data, data-driven and objective priorities, pursuit of detailed risk factor analyses, evaluation of existing prevention strategies, and research to address gaps in intervention and risk factor knowledge. Over the past three decades, contributions to Army injury prevention have been made in each of these areas, including the establishment of deployment injury surveillance capabilities2 and implementation of a data-driven process to define Army injury prevention priorities.3 Epidemiologic analyses and program evaluations have described potential technologies to address motor vehicle crashes among Army personnel4 and the effects of extreme conditioning program elements incorporated into unit physical training.5 Systematic reviews have defined physical training programs to enhance load carriage performance6 and interventions to prevent physical training-related injuries.7 Research efforts have quantified physical-training activities in Army basic training8 and described physical training to improve performance on tactical occupational tasks.9
To maintain progress, continued focus on leading causes of Army injuries such as physical training/exercise, sports, falls, and motor vehicle (land transport) crashes is needed. Collaborations with academia and other government organizations will aid in identifying modifiable causes, risk factors, and effective prevention strategies. Fostering existing and new partnerships between Army leadership, public health, safety, research, health promotion, and other communities will be critical for the success of military injury prevention activities. Given the magnitude and severity of the problem of injuries, effective injury prevention will make a significant contribution to the health and productivity of soldiers and the Army.