M 4-02.17, Preventive Medicine Services, is a U.S. Army Field Manual that outlines the principles, responsibilities, and procedures for preventive medicine (PM) operations in military contexts.
The manual emphasizes the importance of protecting the health and readiness of soldiers by identifying, mitigating, and preventing health threats across the operational spectrum.
It serves as a guide for commanders, medical personnel, and PM specialists to implement health protection measures effectively.
The manual covers topics such as disease prevention, environmental health, field sanitation, and pest management.
It highlights the integration of PM services into military planning and operations, ensuring that potential health risks are addressed proactively.
Key components include surveillance and risk assessment, education and training, and coordination with other health and logistics services.
FM 4-02.17 underscores the role of preventive medicine in minimizing non-battle injuries and illnesses, which are historically significant threats to military effectiveness.
It also details the structure and responsibilities of PM units, such as the deployment of PM teams and their collaboration with combatant commands.
By focusing on prevention, the manual supports the Army's mission to maintain a healthy and combat-ready force, even in austere and high-risk environments.
