Book excerpt: "This book is designed to deliver combat casualty care information that will facilitate transition from a continental US or civilian practice to the combat care environment. Establishment of the Joint Theater Trauma System and the Joint Theater Trauma Registry, coupled with the efforts of the authors, has resulted in the creation of the most comprehensive, evidence-based depiction of the latest advances in combat casualty care. Lessons learned in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) have been fortified with evidence-based recommendations to improve casualty care. The educational curriculum was designed overall to address the leading causes of preventable death and disability in OEF and OIF. Specifically, the generalist combat casualty care provider is presented requisite information for optimal cae of US combat casualties in the first 72 to 96 hours after injury. The specialist provider is afforded similiar information, supplemented by lessons learned for definitive care of host nation patients."--