About the Military Health System

The Military Health System (MHS) is one of America’s largest and most complex health care institutions, and the world’s preeminent military health care delivery operation. Our MHS saves lives on the battlefield, combats infectious disease around the world, and cares for 9.6 million beneficiaries in one of the nation’s largest health benefit plans.

The missions of the MHS are complex and interrelated:

• To ensure America’s 1.4 million active duty and 331,000 reserve-component personnel are healthy so they can complete their national security missions.
• To ensure that all active and reserve medical personnel in uniform are trained and ready to provide medical care in support of operational forces around the world.
• To provide a medical benefit commensurate with the service and sacrifice of more than 9.6 million active duty personnel, military retirees and their families.

The elements of the MHS

Learn about the organizations that make up the MHS

MHS initiatives and areas of impact

Learn about current MHS initiatives and areas where MHS is a world leader in Healthcare

Commonly requested information

This is the Military Health System Video

We are more than combat medicine. The MHS is a complex system that weaves together:

• Health care delivery
• Medical education
• Public health
• Private sector partnerships
• Cutting edge medical research and development

Exemplified by personal courage and a drive for excellence, the MHS is changing how health care is delivered throughout the United States and the world.

The MHS is led by office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs under the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.