U.S. Soldiers assigned to Charlie Company, 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, hoist Army Reserve Brig. Gen. Todd Traver, Deputy Commanding General, 807th Theater Medical Command into a Black Hawk from a notional Humvee accident during Exercise Global Medic, at Fort Hunter Liggett, California, June 5, 2025. The Medical Readiness Training Command executes Exercise Global Medic as part of the 807th Theater Medical Command and Army Reserve Medical Command's larger mission to deliver relevant and realistic collective training to medical units and Soldiers preparing for large-scale combat operations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mikayla Fritz)

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 934th Forward Resuscitative Surgical Detachment and a flight medic from Charlie Company, 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, carry Army Reserve Brig. Gen. Todd Traver, Deputy Commanding General, 807th Theater Medical Command on a litter to the FRSD tent to treat notional injuries from a Humvee accident scenario during Exercise Global Medic, at Fort Hunter Liggett, California, June 5, 2025. The Medical Readiness Training Command executes Exercise Global Medic as part of the 807th Theater Medical Command and Army Reserve Medical Command's larger mission to deliver relevant and realistic collective training to medical units and Soldiers preparing for large-scale combat operations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mikayla Fritz)

U.S. Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Andrew Strohman, a combat medic specialist assigned to Charlie Company, 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, lowered from a Black Hawk to rescue Army Reserve Brig. Gen. Todd Traver, Deputy Commanding General, 807th Theater Medical Command and Maj. Emily Giusti, assigned to the 7305th Medical Training Support Battalion, from a notional Humvee accident during Exercise Global Medic, at Fort Hunter Liggett, California, June 5, 2025. The Medical Readiness Training Command executes Exercise Global Medic as part of the 807th Theater Medical Command and Army Reserve Medical Command's larger mission to deliver relevant and realistic collective training to medical units and Soldiers preparing for large-scale combat operations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mikayla Fritz)

U.S. Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Andrew Strohman, a combat medic specialist assigned to Charlie Company, 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, gets lowered from a Black Hawk to rescue Army Reserve Brig. Gen. Todd Traver, Deputy Commanding General, 807th Theater Medical Command from a notional Humvee accident during Exercise Global Medic, at Fort Hunter Liggett, California, June 5, 2025. The Medical Readiness Training Command executes Exercise Global Medic as part of the 807th Theater Medical Command and Army Reserve Medical Command's larger mission to deliver relevant and realistic collective training to medical units and Soldiers preparing for large-scale combat operations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mikayla Fritz)

From left, U.S. Army Reserve Brig. Gen. Todd Traver, Deputy Commanding General, 807th Theater Medical Command and U.S. Army Reserve Spc. Deyana Hernandez, an animal care specialist assigned to 7351st Veterinary Detachment prepares for a Humvee accident scenario by using moulage during Exercise Global Medic, at Fort Hunter Liggett, California, June 5, 2025. The Medical Readiness Training Command executes Exercise Global Medic as part of the 807th Theater Medical Command and Army Reserve Medical Command's larger mission to deliver relevant and realistic collective training to medical units and Soldiers preparing for large-scale combat operations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mikayla Fritz)

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers assigned to 452nd Field Hospital receive a notional casualty from Charlie Company, 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment during Exercise Global Medic at Fort Hunter Liggett, California, June 4, 2025. The Medical Readiness Training Command executes Exercise Global Medic as part of the 807th Theater Medical Command and Army Reserve Medical Command's larger mission to deliver relevant and realistic collective training to medical units and Soldiers preparing for large-scale combat operations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mikayla Fritz)

U.S. Army Spc. Jose Raphael Vitug, a Practical Nursing Specialist assigned to the 352nd Field Hospital administers care aboard an ambulance during Mojave Falcon, June 5th, 2025 at Fort Irwin, California. Mojave Falcon, the first Army Reserve exercise of its kind, tests readiness and support capabilities across a coast-to-coast battlefield in a Large-Scale Combat Operations (LSCO) environment. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ian Valley)

U.S. Army Pfc. Kassandra Badilla, assigned to the 872nd Medical Company (Ground Ambulance) soldier assigned to the 872nd Medical Company (Ground Ambulance) administers care aboard an ambulance during Mojave Falcon, June 5th, 2025 at Fort Irwin, California. Mojave Falcon, the first Army Reserve exercise of its kind, tests readiness and support capabilities across a coast-to-coast battlefield in a Large-Scale Combat Operations (LSCO) environment. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ian Valley)

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 352nd Field Hospital and the 872nd Medical Company (Ground Ambulance) prepare a mock casualty for a medical evacuation aboard a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter during Mojave Falcon, June 5th, 2025 at Fort Irwin, California. Mojave Falcon, the first Army Reserve exercise of its kind, tests readiness and support capabilities across a coast-to-coast battlefield in a Large-Scale Combat Operations (LSCO) environment. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ian Valley)

U.S. Army Pfc. Kassandra Badilla, a combat medic assigned to the 872nd Medical Company (Ground Ambulance) soldier assigned to the 872nd Medical Company (Ground Ambulance) administers care aboard an ambulance during Mojave Falcon, June 5th, 2025 at Fort Irwin, California. Mojave Falcon, the first Army Reserve exercise of its kind, tests readiness and support capabilities across a coast-to-coast battlefield in a Large-Scale Combat Operations (LSCO) environment. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ian Valley)

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 352nd Field Hospital and the 872nd Medical Company (Ground Ambulance) carry a mock casualty to a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter during Mojave Falcon, June 5th, 2025 at Fort Irwin, California. Mojave Falcon, the first Army Reserve exercise of its kind, tests readiness and support capabilities across a coast-to-coast battlefield in a Large-Scale Combat Operations (LSCO) environment. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ian Valley)

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers assigned to the 491st Medical Company Area Support, prepare their Field Litter Ambulances for a mass casualty scenario during Exercise Global Medic, at Fort Hunter Liggett, California, June 7, 2025. The Medical Readiness Training Command executes Exercise Global Medic as part of the 807th Theater Medical Command and Army Reserve Medical Command's larger mission to deliver relevant and realistic collective training to medical units and Soldiers preparing for large-scale combat operations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mikayla Fritz)

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers assigned to the 1908th Combat Stress Control Detachment and 388th Multifunctional Medical Battalion, say a prayer for a notional fallen casualty during Exercise Global Medic, at Fort Hunter Liggett, California, June 7, 2025. The Medical Readiness Training Command executes Exercise Global Medic as part of the 807th Theater Medical Command and Army Reserve Medical Command's larger mission to deliver relevant and realistic collective training to medical units and Soldiers preparing for large-scale combat operations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mikayla Fritz)

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers assigned to the 628th Forward Resuscitative Surgical Detachment, provide emergency care for notional casualties during Exercise Global Medic, at Fort Hunter Liggett, California, June 7, 2025. The Medical Readiness Training Command executes Exercise Global Medic as part of the 807th Theater Medical Command and Army Reserve Medical Command's larger mission to deliver relevant and realistic collective training to medical units and Soldiers preparing for large-scale combat operations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mikayla Fritz)

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers assigned to the 628th Forward Resuscitative Surgical Detachment, provide emergency care for notional casualties during Exercise Global Medic, at Fort Hunter Liggett, California, June 7, 2025. The Medical Readiness Training Command executes Exercise Global Medic as part of the 807th Theater Medical Command and Army Reserve Medical Command's larger mission to deliver relevant and realistic collective training to medical units and Soldiers preparing for large-scale combat operations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mikayla Fritz)

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers assigned to the 628th Forward Resuscitative Surgical Detachment, provide emergency care for notional casualties during Exercise Global Medic, at Fort Hunter Liggett, California, June 7, 2025. The Medical Readiness Training Command executes Exercise Global Medic as part of the 807th Theater Medical Command and Army Reserve Medical Command's larger mission to deliver relevant and realistic collective training to medical units and Soldiers preparing for large-scale combat operations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mikayla Fritz)

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers assigned to the 628th Forward Resuscitative Surgical Detachment, provide emergency care for notional casualties during Exercise Global Medic, at Fort Hunter Liggett, California, June 7, 2025. The Medical Readiness Training Command executes Exercise Global Medic as part of the 807th Theater Medical Command and Army Reserve Medical Command's larger mission to deliver relevant and realistic collective training to medical units and Soldiers preparing for large-scale combat operations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mikayla Fritz)

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers assigned to the 628th Forward Resuscitative Surgical Detachment, provide emergency care for notional casualties during Exercise Global Medic, at Fort Hunter Liggett, California, June 7, 2025. The Medical Readiness Training Command executes Exercise Global Medic as part of the 807th Theater Medical Command and Army Reserve Medical Command's larger mission to deliver relevant and realistic collective training to medical units and Soldiers preparing for large-scale combat operations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mikayla Fritz)

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers assigned to the 993rd Medical Detachment (Veterinary Services), prepare to transport a canine manikin in a field litter ambulance during Exercise Global Medic, at Fort Hunter Liggett, California, June 7, 2025. The Medical Readiness Training Command executes Exercise Global Medic as part of the 807th Theater Medical Command and Army Reserve Medical Command's larger mission to deliver relevant and realistic collective training to medical units and Soldiers preparing for large-scale combat operations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mikayla Fritz)

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers assigned to the 993rd Medical Detachment (Veterinary Services), perform emergency care on a canine manikin during Exercise Global Medic, at Fort Hunter Liggett, California, June 7, 2025. The Medical Readiness Training Command executes Exercise Global Medic as part of the 807th Theater Medical Command and Army Reserve Medical Command's larger mission to deliver relevant and realistic collective training to medical units and Soldiers preparing for large-scale combat operations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mikayla Fritz)

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers assigned to the 993rd Medical Detachment (Veterinary Services), perform emergency care on a canine manikin during Exercise Global Medic, at Fort Hunter Liggett, California, June 7, 2025. The Medical Readiness Training Command executes Exercise Global Medic as part of the 807th Theater Medical Command and Army Reserve Medical Command's larger mission to deliver relevant and realistic collective training to medical units and Soldiers preparing for large-scale combat operations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mikayla Fritz)

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers, assigned to the 934th Forward Resuscitative Surgical Detachment, provide emergency care to notional casualties during Exercise Global Medic, at Fort Hunter Liggett, California, June 7, 2025. The Medical Readiness Training Command executes Exercise Global Medic as part of the 807th Theater Medical Command and Army Reserve Medical Command's larger mission to deliver relevant and realistic collective training to medical units and Soldiers preparing for large-scale combat operations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mikayla Fritz)

From left, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Robert Fincher, Capt. Trent Muhlenburg, and Maj. Lisa Flora, assigned to the 934th Forward Resuscitative Surgical Detachment, provides emergency care to notional casualties during Exercise Global Medic, at Fort Hunter Liggett, California, June 7, 2025. The Medical Readiness Training Command executes Exercise Global Medic as part of the 807th Theater Medical Command and Army Reserve Medical Command's larger mission to deliver relevant and realistic collective training to medical units and Soldiers preparing for large-scale combat operations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mikayla Fritz)

U.S. Army Capt. Trent Muhlenburg, an emergency room nurse assigned to the 934th Forward Resuscitative Surgical Detachment, provides emergency care to notional casualties during Exercise Global Medic, at Fort Hunter Liggett, California, June 7, 2025. The Medical Readiness Training Command executes Exercise Global Medic as part of the 807th Theater Medical Command and Army Reserve Medical Command's larger mission to deliver relevant and realistic collective training to medical units and Soldiers preparing for large-scale combat operations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mikayla Fritz)

U.S. Army Sgt. Nikolai Punsalang, a combat engineer assigned to 315th Engineer Battalion responds to indirect fire by taking a defensive posture during Mojave Falcon 2025 at Fort Hunter Liggett, California, June 7, 2025. Mojave Falcon 2025 is a multi-faceted first-of-its-kind Army Reserve training exercise that integrates Combat Support Training Exercise (CSTX), Global Medic, Quartermaster Liquid Logistics Exercise (QLLEX), Port Operations and Nationwide Move. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mikayla Fritz)

U.S. Army Capt. Paige Puryear, assigned to the 934th Forward Resuscitative Surgical Detachment, provides emergency care to notional casualties during Exercise Global Medic, at Fort Hunter Liggett, California, June 7, 2025. The Medical Readiness Training Command executes Exercise Global Medic as part of the 807th Theater Medical Command and Army Reserve Medical Command's larger mission to deliver relevant and realistic collective training to medical units and Soldiers preparing for large-scale combat operations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mikayla Fritz)

As the U.S. military transitions from two decades of counterinsurgency operations to a renewed focus on large-scale combat operations (LSCO), the way we train, organize, and prepare our medical forces must evolve. At the heart of this transformation lies a comprehensive, multi-domain training exercise designed to rigorously test the limits of military medical capabilities under the most challenging and realistic conditions imaginable: Global Medic. At the core of the exercise planning effort is the collaboration between the 807th Theater Medical Command (TMC) and the Medical Readiness and Training Command (MRTC). Together, they developed a complex training scenario that injects real-world stressors and operational friction points to test and evaluate medical units' ability to perform their mission essential tasks within a dynamic exercise. From scenario design to execution, the objective is clear: push units to their limits, let them struggle, and then coach, mentor, and guide them toward excellence. This year’s integrated training environment, Mojave Falcon, includes multiple concurrent events such as the Combat Support Training Exercise (CSTX) and Global Medic. Together, they form a comprehensive platform for testing not just medical readiness, but also the operational integration between medical and sustainment forces, a critical capability in LSCO. Mojave Falcon spans over 300 miles, encompassing units at the forward edge of battle at the National Training Center and those in the corps support area at Fort Hunter Liggett. This vast operational footprint challenges the Army Health System across its entire continuum, from point of injury to definitive care. For the first time, medical and sustainment forces are being integrated at this scale in a real-world, doctrine-driven setting. Communicating across that distance while coordinating logistics and support is a deliberate stressor. “Our connection to the signal network, our fuel and water support, our food services—it’s all being provided by the sustainment community,” noted Brig. Gen. Todd Traver, 807th TMC Deputy Commanding General, who also serves as the senior Global Medic trainer. “We’re exercising dependencies we’ve only seen on paper until now.” Facing a New Reality in Combat Medicine The shift toward LSCO requires a complete reimagining of how Army medical units prepare for and execute their missions. In LSCO environments, assumptions from the past two decades, such as immediate medical evacuation under air superiority, can no longer be taken for granted. “We don’t expect to have air superiority, at least early in the fight, which delays medical evacuation,” said Traver. “That changes everything.” Without guaranteed air evacuation, forward-deployed medics must deliver prolonged field care under austere and resource-constrained conditions. The entire Army Health System will bottleneck, forcing medical units to adapt, prioritize, and triage under duress. As traditional MEDEVAC (medical evacuation) options are limited or unavailable, the exercise emphasizes the role of CASEVAC (casualty evacuation) requiring non-medical units to transport their own wounded to the next level of care. This concept reintroduces responsibilities at the unit level, particularly for first sergeants and junior leaders, to plan and execute casualty movement. Smaller CASEVAC injects are embedded throughout the exercise, building up to a 300-casualty mass casualty event designed to overwhelm medical and sustainment units alike and force rapid adaptation and coordination. One of the defining challenges of this new operational paradigm is contested logistics. Medical units will face shortages in critical supplies such as blood, bandages, and life-saving equipment. Communication and supply lines will be disrupted, and leaders will face ethical challenges. “We medicate and take care of patients exceptionally well. We're the best medical capability in any army anywhere in the world. I don't have any concerns at all about our capabilities from a medical standpoint,” said Traver. “But when you're limited in capability, be it blood supplies, it’s going to force them to make very difficult decisions—about blood use, patient prioritization, and even who gets evacuated.” Dynamic, on-the-spot decisions will be necessary. Revamping “walking blood banks,” where unit members donate blood in real-time, and improvisational treatment planning will become essential tools in the field medic’s arsenal. While the exercise is designed to be grueling, it’s also structured around a culture of learning. Evaluators and mentors serve as senior trainers and guides, observing unit performance, identifying shortfalls, and delivering tailored feedback to help soldiers and commanders improve. “We make it harder here than we hope it’ll be on the battlefield,” Traver emphasized. “If every soldier leaves better trained than when they arrived, that’s a win.” As the U.S. Army Reserve prepares for the demands of future conflicts, exercises like these are instrumental in forging the adaptability, resilience, and competence required to save lives and sustain operations in the harshest conditions imaginable. Through tough training, close mentorship, and inter-organizational cooperation, Army medicine is proving ready for whatever the future battlefield may bring.