In preparation for last year's Deployed Medical & Healthcare Delivery Conference, we interviewed the conference chairman and Head of research and clinical innovation for the UK Defence Medical Services, Duncan Wilson. Here he expresses the importance of the DMHD conference, and how being there aligns with the organisation’s wider objectives. Furthermore, he delves into what preparing for a near-peer conflict may hold for medical services. This is a perfect “warm-up” for what to expect for the conference this year.