By the time ‘major operations’ are complete in Afghanistan and Iraq, more than two million United States military personnel will have been deployed in those theaters, many more than once. The Pentagon is planning for troop strength levels of at least 100,000 through 2009 in Iraq, and the stories emanating daily from both Baghdad and Washington suggest that troop increases may be necessary.

More than 2,500 have died now and well over 15,000 have been injured in Iraq alone. However the ripples in the pool spread far beyond those unfortunate soldiers. During initial hostilities the average injury rate was 236 per month. Since April 2004, that average has held at 650 per month. This suggests that 60,000 to 80,000 troops may ultimately be injured in hostile action in Iraq unless and until there is a significant drawdown of U.S. troops at some point in the future.

The actual number of military personnel injured in Iraq is much higher; the military releases figures only for those wounded in ‘hostile incidents.’ Twenty-two percent of military deaths in Iraq through October 2005 were the result of injuries sustained in non-hostile situations. As well, the uncounted thousands of civilian contractors working for the U.S. in Iraq are eligible for compensation under the Defense Base Act. Thousands of of these civilians have been injured as well. The numbers are going to be significant.

The insurance industry in general and workman’s comp carriers in particular are going to be challenged by tens of thousands of physically injured service men and women as they rejoin the workforce. Hundreds of thousands of others will carry psychological wounds. Reintegration of these military and civilian injured will likely present unexpected challenges to a generation of employers with no experience in dealing with such large numbers of returning veterans.

As well, the widespread recognition of post-traumatic stress disorder will be a factor for insured overseas veterans for the first time. It will be a challenge for insurance companies and employers both.