The military epidemiologist is called in to conduct the investigation of suspected disease outbreaks. Outbreaks occur, of course, where the troops are, and the epidemiologist and his team often do some travelling to reach the arena. This aspect of the job can be exciting, and gives new meaning to the term “field” investigation! It always pays to gather some initial data via telephone from sources in the area before travel arrangements are made. This allows the team to prepare properly for the investigation, and limits the liklihood of dispatching the team un-necessarily in response to a “false alarm”.