Who bears the primary responsibility for implementing preventive medicine measures?

• A. Individual service member
• B. Unit commander
• C. Medical department
• D. Public health authority

Answer: (A)

The person who actually carries out preventive measures is the service member themselves. Personal health practices—hand hygiene, vaccination, using protective equipment when required, adhering to prophylactic regimens, seeking care at early signs of illness, and following policy during deployments—are actions taken by individuals. These day-to-day behaviors directly reduce risk and maintain readiness, so the primary responsibility lies with the person.

Leadership and the medical department play essential supportive roles. Commanders establish standards, provide resources, training, and a culture that values prevention; they remove barriers and ensure access to vaccines and protective gear. The medical department offers surveillance, risk assessment, immunizations, and guidance to inform those practices. Public health authorities set overarching policies and programs. Even with that support, the actual implementation happens at the individual level through personal choices and actions.