Military Officer - April 2007 - (Page 10) fromtheeditor For Your Health The U.S. Army Veterinary Corps is known for its care of military animals. Did you know it also is responsible for food safety and security inspections and does in-depth R&D? F ew things are better for grabbing your attention than a photo of a cute, furry critter. Who can resist that playful puppy or cuddly kitten? That’s why we decided to put such an irresistible image on the cover of this issue of Military Officer. We thought a soft animal would make an interesting contrast to military hardware and troops in combat uniforms. You say we missed the mark? There’s nothing cuddly about a cow? OK, I have to admit the cover photo is not what we first had in mind. Actually, when we commissioned our story about Army veterinarians, we envisioned a military working dog or family pet on the cover. But when the story came in and we brainstormed visual approaches, we realized that a puppy picture just wouldn’t do justice to the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps’ mission. Believe it or not, we passed on the emotional zinger for the reality photo. Our cover story, “A Breed Apart,” page 72, highlights the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps’ diverse and vital mission. Yes, Veterinary Corps officers provide quality care to military working dogs, ceremonial horses, and pets of military families. But they also are responsible for food safety and security inspections for all the armed services. They support military medical research and civil affairs activities. At the extreme end, Army Veterinary Corps officers have used their specialized training to neuter brown tree snakes in Guam and lasso water buffalo in the Philippines. 10 MILITARY OFFICER APRIL 2007 Since the Veterinary Corps’ establishment in 1916, food safety has been a top priority. In fact, the first Army veterinary food inspector was established in 1901 as an outcome of the Spanish-American War. During that war, food-borne illnesses caused more deaths than bullets. Since World War I, the Veterinary Corps has participated in all U.S. conflicts, protecting the health of both animals and troops. Today, about one-third of Veterinary Corps officers are involved in R&D in areas ranging from cancer research to vaccine development. They’re working in the areas of bio-warfare research and treatment of combat injuries. They’re safeguarding servicemembers worldwide by developing devices for the rapid detection of infectious agents in the field. They’re also exploring issues of combat casualty care involving blood products, resuscitation, and neuroprotection. Check out our feature for stories from the field of veterinary medicine. When it comes to waging war on disease, the Army Veterinary Corps is on the front lines of the battle. — Col. Warren S. Lacy, USA-Ret. PHOTO: STEVE BARRETT
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