b'MILITARY HEALTH SYSTEMThe Military Health System (MHS) is one of AmericasASD(HA) is a civilian, Senate-confirmed official who largest and most complex health care institutions, andserves as the chief medical adviser to the Secretary theworldspreeminentmilitaryhealthcaredeliveryof Defense and oversees health policy and budgeting operation. MHS saves lives on the battlefield, combatsacross the system, as well as directing the activities infectious disease around the world, and is responsibleof the Defense Health Agency. The ASD(HA) is sup-for providing health services through both direct careported by the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of and private sector care to approximately 9.6 millionDefense for Health Affairs and three Deputy Assistant beneficiaries,composedofuniformedservicemem- Secretaries of Defense.bers, military retirees, and family members.The MHS enables the National Defense Strategy byDEFENSE HEALTH AGENCYproviding a medically ready force, and improving theEstablished in 2013, the Defense Health Agency health of all those entrusted to its care. is a combat support agency that provides a host The missions of the MHS are complex and interrelated: ofsharedhealthservicesacrosstheMHS,from operating the TRICARE health benefit to provid-To ensure Americas 1.4 million active dutying pharmacy and medical logistics, performing and 331,000 reserve-component personnel aremedicalresearchanddevelopmentandoperat-healthy so they can complete their national secu- ing health information technology systems, with rity missions. a goal of providing integrated and efficient service To ensure that all active and reserve medicalto the joint force. personnel in uniform are trained and ready to provide medical care in support of operationalJOINT STAFF SURGEONforces around the world.To provide a medical benefit commensurate withThe Joint Staff Surgeon is the chief medical ad-the service and sacrifice of more than 9.6 millionviser to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, active-duty personnel, military retirees and theirproviding advice to the Chairman, the Joint Staff, families. and the Combatant Commanders, coordinating allissuesrelatedtoHealthServicestoinclude operationalmedicine,forcehealthprotection, ELEMENTS OF THE MHS and readiness among the Combatant Commands, The MHS is a federated system of uniformed, civilianthe Office of the Secretary of Defense, and the and contract personnel and additional civilian part- Services.ners at all levels of the Department of Defense and beyondfrom senior officials in the Office of the Sec- UNIFORMED SERVICES UNIVERSITYretary of Defense to doctors and other health care pro- OF THE HEALTH SCIENCESviders in nearly every community across the nation.The Uniformed Services University of the Health OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANTSciences (USU) is the nations federal health pro-SECRETARY OF DEFENSE fessions academy.USUs curricula and educational OF HEALTH AFFAIRS experiences are similar to those of civilian academ-ichealthcenters,withoneimportantdifference: Leading the MHS, is the Office of the Assistant Secre- its emphasis is on military health care, leadership, tary of Defense for Health Affairs (OASD[HA]). Thereadiness and public health.116H U.S. MEDICINE 2022 DIRECTORY OF FEDERAL MEDICAL TREATMENT FACILITIESH'