Throughout human history, military conflict and the presence of armies have been associated with higher rates of STI. This relates to many drivers of increased transmission – displacement and migration of populations, growth of sex work and sexual violence to name but a few. However times are changing, at least in the standing military populations of developed countries. In this month's issue, Harbertson et al report on the sexual behaviour and STI experience of recently deployed shipboard US military personnel.1 The picture is complex, and is discussed in an accompanying editorial by Joel Gaydos and colleagues2 which reflects on the implications for providers and policymakers. Their recommendations focus on the need for all military medical practitioners to be able to take travel and sexual histories. An interesting model of military sexual health care is presented by Desai et al,3 who describe the re-organisation of sexual health care …