The provision of health services is a critical and significantmission within each branch of the U.S. military as well asan integral part of the U.S. Department of Defense’s MilitaryThe provision of health services is a critical and significantmission within each branch of the U.S. military as well asan integral part of the U.S. Department of Defense’s MilitaryHealth System (MHS). The MHS provides comprehensivemedical capability for military operations, national disasters,and humanitarian crises, and ensures the delivery of healthcareto all DoD service members. With highly skilled medicalteams operating across combat theaters coupled with a firstrate aeromedical evacuation capabilities, DoD provides itspersonnel a level of care unparalleled in the history of militarymedicine.We spoke with Dr. Ward Casscells, Assistant Secretaryof Defense for Health Affairs within U.S. Department ofDefense, about the military health system, its many successes,and the various challenges it faces as it deliversvital healthcare services.