File:Psychological Health Programs for Sailors and Marines (House Armed Services Committee 2008) (IA 08767C3STATEMENT14Mar08HASCMPRobinsonMentalHealthProgramsFinal).pdf

Statement of Vice Admiral Adam M. Robinson, MC, USN, Surgeon General of the Navy Before the House Armed Services Committee Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

"As the provider of medical services for both the Navy and the Marine Corps, we have to be prepared to meet the needs of these similar, and yet unique military populations. Sailors and Marines often serve side-by-side, and they also serve under very different conditions – aboard ships, as boots on the ground, or as individual augmentees (IAs). As a result, these service members face different physical and mental stressors and challenges during deployments. At the same time, their families may be also impacted by the unique stresses and demands of military life in slightly different ways. Navy Medicine is continuously adapting to meet the short and long term psychological health needs of service members and their families before, during and after deployments.

We are well aware of the fact that the number and length of deployments have the potential to impact the mental health of service members, as well as the well-being of their families. The Navy and Marine Corps operational tempo in support of the Global War on Terror (GWOT) is unprecedented. At the same time, Navy Medicine is playing an increasing role in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief missions. We need to remain vigilant of the potential long term impact our mission requirements – past, present and future -- will have on the physical and mental health of our Sailors and Marines."