Within the context of stability operations, military veterinarians can contribute to U.S. strategic goals of economic development and humanitarian assistance, especially related to the agriculture sector. This study examines the policy and doctrine guiding the use of veterinarians in stability operations activities, military and civil veterinary capabilities, examples of their stability operations activities in Afghanistan and Iraq, and perspectives on interagency cooperation. The study found that military veterinarians are contributing in important ways to economic development in Iraq and Afghanistan and will most likely be important to future stability operations. Most of the countries where stability operations will or conceivably could be conducted will likely have a large agricultural component to their economy. Veterinarians, including military veterinarians, play a critical role in the economic development of a country by supporting local veterinarians and increasing the availably of needed vaccines and medicines that contribute to both animal health and (possibly) human health. Better animal health means more food, more animals for trade or sale, and ultimately in aggregate, an increase of animal products nationally and possibly even internationally. -- From the Summary.

"Prepared for the United States Army"

Preface / Summary / Introduction and methods / Background: U.S. stability operations -- The role of veterinarians in stability operations / Veterinary capabilities and activities: military -- Other U.S. government agencies -- Other agencies / Synthesis of doctrine/policy and interviews: Principles of success for stability operations -- Functional roles of agencies and interagency coordination -- Problems identified for the Army / Summary and Recommendations: Study limitations / Appendix A: Army veterinary leadership / Appendix B: Active component veterinary workforce / Appendix C: Specialty areas of Army veterinarians /Appendix D: Medical detachment: veterinary service unit / Appendix E: Medical detachment: veterinary medicine unit.