The purpose of this work is to give a brief overview on history and main directions of work at the Department of Military Internal Medicine (DMIM). Chiefs (commanders) of the department are presented in chronological order together with tasks they had to deal with during a given period of time. A close cooperation of the DMIM with civilian hospital departments is pointed out, mainly in the areas of therapeutic and preventive care together with education. A departmental contribution to the development of the Military Medical Service is specified in detail, particularly surgical and non-surgical casualties support.

Keywords: military internal medicine; organization; personal data; general and special activities; cardiology and metabolic intensive care; peritoneal dialysis; Elsikol; bone marrow transplantation; life island