Historically, veterinary medicine has made its greatest contributions in the public sector and in settings other than direct care of the individual patient. So why are so many of us unaware of our profession's achievements in this arena? My introduction to veterinary preventive medicine and public health was through military service. My obligation to serve a two-year doctor draft in the United States Air Force became an adventure for my family and me, rather than an unwelcome intrusion on my ultimate desire to return to private clinical practice. The operative words are private and clinical. Why was I unaware of the opportunities available to those of us educated in this discipline sometimes referred to as comparative medicine?