Odds of hospitalization among Marine Corps personnel by military occupational specialty and causative agents during OEF and OIF

This study investigated the risk of hospitalization among Marines deployed during Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom by military occupational specialty (MOS). Trends in risk of hospitalization as a function of injury cause (explosive munitions and small arms [EM/SA]), anatomical location, and injury type were analyzed to identify which MOSs were more likely to have open wound injuries or trauma to the extremities. The study population consisted of 163,939 Marines deployed at any time during the study period (September 11, 2001-January 31, 2007). Hospitalized Marines (n=2718) were matched to nonhospitalized Marines on rank, time deployed, and number of deployments. Noninfantry MOSs had lower risk of hospitalization compared with infantry, regardless of injury cause or location. Trends differed for EM/SA versus other injury causative agents, but did not differ by anatomical location among EM/SA. This information allows for quantitative assessment of risk by MOS in combat situations.