The active military was ~2.1 million in the 80's as opposed to ~1.4 million now. The death _rate_ in the early 1980's was slightly lower than the death rate to

The active military was ~2.1 million in the 80's as opposed to ~1.4 million now. The death _rate_ in the early 1980's was slightly lower than the death rate today. Of course, the active military in the early 1980's had a ridiculously high accident rate. It would be a fairer comparison to look at the mid-to-late 90's. In the link below you can see that the death rate for active duty soldiers was about half of what it is today. DOD numbers: (http://siadapp.dmdc.osd.mil/personnel/CASUALTY/death_Rates.pdf http://siadapp.dmdc.osd.mil/personnel/CASUALTY/death_Rates.p...)