Abstract: Objective To characterize the skin damage induced by ultraviolet radiation in officers and soldiers in high altitude. Methods A total of 1286 officers and soldiers working at the altitude of 3700-4786 meters were randomly investigated by dermatologists. The health state, time of being in the army, cumulative sun-exposure period, and condition of skin damage were recorded in detail. Skin damage was graded into four levels: tanning, sunburn, polymorphous light eruption, and photoaging. Results Skin damage was observed in 67.5% of the 1286 officers and soldiers: tanning in 62.05% （798/1286）, photoaging in 18.66% （240/1286）, polymorphous light eruption in 13.69% （176/1286） and sunburn in 13.30% （171/1286）. Two hundred and thirteen subjects each had two kinds of skin damage, and 152 subjects each had three kinds of skin damage. With the time of being in the army and cumulative sun-exposure period, the prevalence of tanning, photoaging and polymorphous light eruption increased, while the prevalence of sunburn decreased. Sunburn mostly occurred in newly assigned soldiers. Conclusions The condition of skin damage induced by ultraviolet radiation is severe in officers and soldiers working in high altitude, and effective measures are warranted for the prevention and treatment of the skin damage.