Introduction
The KING'S CENTRE FOR MILITARY HEALTH RESEARCH (KCMHR) is a joint initiative of the Institute of Psychiatry and the Department of War Studies at King's College London, incorporating the new Centre for Defence Mental Health. KCMHR is primarily a research centre with three strands - 1) war and health, 2) war and psychiatry and 3) personnel issues and social policy.

The Centre is led by Professor Simon Wessely (IoP). Professor Christopher Dandeker (War Studies) will be Co Director. Dr Edgar Jones, Reader in the History of War and Psychiatry, will be the Course Director for the MSc in War and Psychiatry.

The 'flagship' study for the Centre is a prospective investigation of the physical and psychological health of a random sample of UK service personnel, some of whom took part in Op TELIC (the war in Iraq) and others that did not; these form a comparison group. As well as answering immediate questions, this is also the platform for a longer-term study of a cohort looking at physical, social and psychological aspects of military service in the 21st Century. (Study referred to as Military Health & Wellbeing)

We intend to offer an MSc Course in War and Psychiatry, a joint venture between IoP and War Studies. Led by Dr Jones, a full proposal and syllabus for the course is completed, and IoP has granted educational approval. Although the course has not yet been marketed, there is already interest expressed from within the military Medical Services. This interest can only grow as we incorporate the Tri Service research and development portfolio for military psychiatry. Students will also be able to enrol on a new MSc in Psychiatric Research offered by the IoP.