Highlights in the History of the Army Nurse Corps, 2000 to Present
The 21st Century century ushered in a transformative era for the Army Nurse Corps, marked by rapid innovation, global operations, and an unwavering commitment to readiness and patient care.
On September 11, 2001, when the deadliest terrorist attack in US history occurred, Army nurses assigned at the Pentagon and throughout Washington DC rallied to help the injured. And ANC officers – active duty, Reserve, and National Guard – have been at the forefront of every succeeding major military operation, 
from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom to Operation Inherent Resolve.
The ANC has significantly evolved to meet the complex needs of today’s operational environment. Nurses attached to far-forward surgical teams resuscitated critically injured warriors with a balanced mix of blood products and provided anesthesia for damage control surgery. 
They serve on fixed-wing and rotary wing aircraft, transporting severely injured casualties to higher levels of care. Their leadership was instrumental in the evolution of Prolonged Field Care, Golden Hour initiatives, and Damage Control Resuscitation. Army nurses also led humanitarian and disaster relief efforts during events such as Hurricane Katrina, the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Ebola outbreaks, and Operation Allies Welcome.
Army nurse case managers greatly facilitated the transition of wounded, ill, and injured service members as their numbers increased exponentially during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. 
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses such as Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Practitioners, Midwives and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists are serving as force multipliers across care settings, driving advancements in trauma care, infection control, and evidence-based practices. Army nurses are doing research that influences battlefield medicine and system-wide transformation. Through partnerships with civilian trauma centers and academic institutions, Army nurses continue to sharpen their edge, ensuring the Army is ready for whatever comes next.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Army nurses stood on the front lines, deploying to overwhelmed civilian hospitals, establishing field hospitals, and ensuring continuity of care across medical treatment facilities worldwide. Their rapid adaptation, leadership, and resilience helped shape DOD-wide pandemic response operations and vaccine distribution.
Army nurses remain critical to combat casualty care, operational medicine, and joint force training. Their impact spans trauma simulation, readiness assessments, and doctrinal development. From supporting the Army 2030 Vision to strengthening joint medical capabilities, ANC officers are embedded across the enterprise – shaping doctrine, guiding health policy, and building allied partnerships to ensure medical dominance in future conflicts.
As we approach the 125th anniversary of the Army Nurse Corps in 2026, we honor a legacy defined by courage, innovation, and service. Army nurses remain steadfast in service, prepared for tomorrow’s battlefield, and committed to excellence in every mission.
| Photos |
Left from top:
Painting of an F-16 of the North Dakota Air Guard 119th Fighter Wing
on combat air patrol over the Pentagon on 11 September 2001
Army Nurse training to provide in-flight care
Michigan National Guard AN assists in Covid-19
immunizations in Alpena, MI |
Right from top:
The 212th Surgical Hospital in Iraq
Army nurse anesthetist in Forward Surgical Team |
Text by ANCA Historian COL (Ret.) C. J. Moore, and MAJ Giang T. Martinez; Photos courtesy of the Army Medical Department Center of History and Heritage, Office of The Surgeon General, US Army; Wikipedia; and The Alpena News