a. Usage. The NATO MEM should be utilised as the tool to provide the structure for the evaluation of multinational medical capabilities. While this is the primary focus@ the evaluation of modules and individual personnel clearly needs a common basis as well. Therefore the framework for the evaluation and certification that takes place under national responsibilities has also been included. The NATO MEM can be applied to multinational medical forces either prior to deployment or@ for validation purposes@ to medical capabilities as part of a deployed multinational force. The tool will serve as a reference for common standards@ procedures@ and terminology. Hence it supports the overarching goal of achieving best medical practice. The NATO MEM is designed as a stand-alone document@ which includes basic supporting references. The structure of the NATO MEM allows the user to select only the relevant sections (key questionnaires@ medical skill sets) to meet the requirements of the mission related medical capability (Module@ Unit). It should be noted that the process of medical governance of the Multinational Medical Unit (MMU) remains the responsibility of the LN and should be in accordance with emerging NATO governance policy. b. Application. The NATO MEM has been developed as a toolbox for evaluating authorities. It can be applied either as a whole or for the evaluation and certification of single capabilities. Nations are encouraged to use the skill sets provided within Annex AI for the evaluation and certification of individuals and modules. In this way the reference to common standards prior to the handover of solely national modules to a multinational medical force will be ensured. The NATO MEM is primarily aimed at those personnel involved in evaluating MMU assigned to a NATO Command. However@ anyone involved with medical education@ training and evaluation may find the NATO MEM a useful reference. c. Principles. The NATO MEM reinforces the principles that effective multinational medical support can only be achieved through effective training. It builds upon the responsibility of individual medical knowledge and skills based on agreed standards enabling the individual to be part of a medical capability working in a national or multinational medical environment (Module or Unit). d. Lessons Learned Process. As an evaluation tool@ the NATO MEM must remain current and applicable to the forces to be evaluated. This means that the tool will be dynamic in nature and content and that the evaluation issues will be contextual with circumstances@ operational experiences and doctrinal developments. The method for achieving effective currency with changes in medical practice within NATO@ is the Lessons Learned process. The evaluation of operational developments by the Joint Analysis and Lessons Learned Centre (JALLC) serves as the formal route for ensuring NATO gains maximum advantage from the recorded events of note. It is therefore imperative that the NATO MEM review process incorporates a formal methodology for incorporating Lessons Learned into the text of the NATO MEM. AIM The aim of the NATO Medical Evaluation Manual (NATO MEM) is to facilitate and provide the framework for nations to certify their own medical capabilities and also for the medical evaluation of multinational medical modules and units@ when formed to support NATO operations. Medical certification in the military field is the official recognition that a staff@ module@ unit or force component can provide the defined capability agreed by nations or@ if it cannot@ documents the residual risk and required mitigation.