U.S. Army
Veterinary Corps
The branch that protects what the Army eats and heals what the Army fights with. Veterinary Corps personnel inspect every piece of food consumed by the Department of Defense and provide medical care for every military working dog in service. From 500,000 horses in WWI to IED detection dogs in Afghanistan, the Veterinary Corps has always served where animals and food safety intersect with combat readiness.
The Horse Army
1916 - 1942
HORSES
WWI · 500,000 HORSES
500K
Horses in WWI
Mules
Pack Animals · Draft
Remount
Stations Nationwide
Vet
OFFICERS WITH UNITS
When the Veterinary Corps was established in 1916, the Army ran on horses and mules - 500,000 during WWI alone. Veterinary officers were assigned to every cavalry regiment, artillery battery, and logistics unit that used draft animals. They treated wounds, managed disease outbreaks, ran remount stations, and kept the animal fleet operational. More horses died in WWI from disease than enemy action. The Veterinary Corps' original mission was keeping the Army's four-legged force alive.
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FOOD SAFETY
DOD-WIDE MISSION
DoD
All Services' Food
VPIs
Vet Food Inspectors
$12B+
Annual Food Inspected
Global
SUPPLY CHAIN
The Veterinary Corps' largest mission is one nobody sees - food safety inspection for the entire Department of Defense. Veterinary food inspection specialists inspect every source of food consumed by the military, from commercial processing plants to deployed dining facilities. Over $12 billion in subsistence is inspected annually. They verify food safety at origin, in transit, and at destination - a global quality assurance mission that prevents foodborne illness from becoming a force health threat. The Army feeds the military. The Veterinary Corps makes sure it's safe.
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Military Working Dogs
The Other Soldiers
MWD
LACKLAND AFB / DOD
2,500+
Active MWDs
IED
Detection Saves Lives
SOF
Multipurpose Canines
Army
VETS TREAT ALL MWDs
Military working dogs detect explosives, find hidden caches, track enemy combatants, and go through doors with special operators. In Iraq and Afghanistan, MWDs saved countless lives finding IEDs that technology missed. Army veterinarians provide all medical care for these animals - from routine wellness to combat trauma surgery. SOF multipurpose canines operate at the highest classification levels. When a military working dog is wounded in action, an Army veterinarian is the one who saves its life. These dogs are soldiers. They're treated like soldiers.
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DODVSA
JOINT SERVICE
DODVSA
DoD Vet Service Activity
800+
Locations Worldwide
All
Services Supported
Army
LEADS DOD VET OPS
The Army's Veterinary Corps leads veterinary operations for the entire Department of Defense through the DoD Veterinary Service Activity - operating at over 800 locations worldwide. Army veterinarians and food inspection specialists serve at Air Force bases, Navy ships, Marine installations, and joint facilities. No other branch provides a service to every installation across all services. The Veterinary Corps quietly supports the entire military from the kitchen to the kennel.
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108
Years of Service
$12B+
Food Inspected Annually
2,500+
Military Working Dogs
800+
Locations Worldwide