The Army’s 11,000-member medical force is focused on remaining agile and adaptive, keeping pace with other Army modernization efforts, Army Surgeon General Lt. Gen. R. Scott Dingle said in testimony before a Senate subcommittee.

Appearing March 7 alongside other military medical leaders, Dingle said bluntly, “There is no second-place in war.”

Army medical programs are constantly expanding to remain competitive with the health care industry and maintain the right force and capabilities, Dingle said. “Our trained and ready medical force depends on timely, adequate, predictable and sustained funding,” he said.

“As an enabler of combat power, we will synchronize and integrate the medical effort within the Army, the Defense Health Agency, Joint Staff and combatant commands to be responsive and steadfast to teammates of the joint force,” Dingle said. “This will ensure that Army medicine is responsive and relevant to execute the National Defense Strategy. We will also build readiness through our investments in people.”

The Army is also looking abroad to strengthen alliances and partnerships with other nations through training, research and other collaborations, Dingle said.