Compared the medical disorders of 1,056 female and 15,344 male soldiers during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf War. Acute gastrointestinal, acute respiratory, dermatologic, dental, psychiatric, orthopedic, and optometric disorders were studied. No association between the groups was noted for acute minor illnesses and dental disorders. Men were more likely to be diagnosed with orthopedic and dermatologic disorders. Women were more likely to be diagnosed with psychiatric and optometric disorders. These results can help military and medical strategists to target differential health care to male and female soldiers in the deployed garrison and combat scenarios.