Historically, military medical research has contributed significantly to the advancement of health sciences. With support from multiple funding sources, these advances have occurred in both times of combat and during peace, in response to novel threats, to improve combat-wounded survival, and to optimize performance under austere conditions. Herein, the authors provide a historical perspective for military medical innovation and consider its impacts on modern medicine, with implications to maintain a strategic advantage. Finally, the authors review ongoing military medicine projects and consider the impacts on civilian medical care.