Where have all the captains gone? A comparison of active and reserve MC ranks and ages, Vietnam to Desert Storm.

An analysis of ages and ranks of hospital-based physicians in one area of the Persian Gulf War was used for a comparison with similar data from the Vietnam War. Mean age in the latter was 33.4 years; rank was Captain (0-3.24). In Desert Storm, mean age and rank significantly increased to 46.0 years and close to Lieutenant Colonel (0-4.73), respectively. The large proportion of Reserve Component Physicians (75%) in the Persian Gulf War is the probable explanation for these findings. Medical Corps recruitment and retention problems may result from this most recent war and pose potential threats to success in future U.S. conflicts.