2003
The Medical and Family Assistance Center is stood up. Their mission is to provide compassionate, coordinated services to patients, next of kin and extended family members, with a primary focus on OIF/OEF Soldiers.
2003
Medical Communications for Combat Casualty Care (MC4) put into full-time use (first launched in 2002 during OIF). MC4 develops, fields and supports a medical information management system for Army tactical medical forces, enabling a comprehensive, life-long electronic medical record for all service members, and enhancing medical situational awareness for operational commanders.
Read More about MC42003
U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine’s Injury Prevention Program launches the Basic Combat Training Injury Prevention program, which was designed to lessen the high numbers of preventable injuries caused to the lower extremities due to running and marching.
2003
M104 Wolverine Heavy Assault Bridge replaces aging M60 AVLB (Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge) to keep match the field maneuver operating speed of the M1 Abrams tank.
Feb. 1
While completing mission STS-107, Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrates in the sky while re-entering Earth’s atmosphere over Texas during its landing descent. All seven crew members including two U.S. Air Force and three U.S. Navy officers, were killed.
Read More about Columbia
2003
The Post Deployment Health Assessment Tool (PDHAT) is launched to ensure that Battle Injured Service Members were assessed three times to avoid any combat stress symptoms or psychiatric disorders.
March 1
5th and 1st Special Forces Groups are deployed in support of the upcoming Operation Iraqi Freedom. The groups played a strategic reconnaissance and direct action role and have been involved in the training and aide of Kurdish and Iraqi paramilitary units.
March 19
"Liberation of Iraq" campaign streamer begins, covering March 19 through May 1, 2003.
March 20
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) begins with the invasion of Iraq by the United States and the United Kingdom.
April
U.S. troops seize control of Baghdad, the capital of Iraq.
May 2
"Transition of Iraq" campaign streamer begins, covering May 2, 2003 through June 28, 2004.
June 6
FM 7-1, Battle Focused Training is published. This Field Manual is established to maintain the Army’s philosophy on "training the way it fights."
Read More about FM 7-1
July
Saddam Hussein’s sons, Uday and Qusay, are killed in a gun battle with U.S. forces.
Aug.
NATO assumes control of security in Kabul, Afghanistan marking the first time in its history it had assumed control of a city outside Europe.
Aug. 1
Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker becomes the 35th Chief of Staff of the Army, replacing Gen. Eric K. Shinseki.
Oct. 10
The Golden Hour blood container is developed by a contractor with the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. This high-tech device enables blood to be transported safely over greater distances for Soldier care.
Read More about the Golden Hour blood containerOct. 17
Gen. George W. Casey, Jr. becomes the 30th Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, replacing Gen. John M. Keane.
Nov. 17
Gen. Shinseki directs an emphasis on "Warrior Ethos" to instill the warrior spirit among combat support and combat service support Soldiers.
Read More about the Warrior Ethos
Dec. 13
Saddam Hussein is captured by U.S. forces near his hometown of Tikrit, in a hole in the ground on a farm.
Dec. 29
TIME Magazine announces their "Person of the Year" for 2003 is the American Soldier.
Read More from TIME MagazineDec.
The Stryker Medical Evacuation Vehicle is launched. This vehicle boasted many improvements over the M-113 medical vehicle that it was replacing, including an automatic lifter and additional cargo space.
Read More about the Stryker