Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHF) pose a real risk to the armed forces. The importance the military attaches to them is justified by the dual nature of these diseases, which are endemic in the areas where our forces are deployed: they are not only formidable and spreading, but also potential biological weapons. The military’s consideration of this risk is part of a defense strategy, consistent with France’s international commitments, coordinated along five axes: monitoring and surveillance, protection of military personnel, detection and diagnosis, decontamination and case management, and biomedical research. The authors briefly present the epidemiological impact of WVDs in the armed forces and the role of the Armed Forces Health Service in implementing countermeasures. (R.A.)