Objective To investigate the correlation between the recruits' gastrointestinal hormone level and military stress. Methods 150 army recruits were included for the study. The gastrointestinal symptom and mental status of army recruits were investigated with questionnaires as well as Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90). Serum gastrin, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), cortisol, β-endorphine (β-EP) levels were determined with radioimmunological techniques before and after live ammumition shooting training. All the army recruits underwent endoscopic and abdominal ultrasonographic examinations, and the presence of Helicobacter pylon (Hp) was detected by rapid urease test (RUT). Results 17 army recruits developed erosive gastritis or peptic ulcer after shooting training. Hp was detected in 94 army recruits (62.7%), the infectation rate was significantly higher than that of normal people (55%, P<0.05). The serum gastrin, VIP, cortisol and β-EP level of all the recruits were significantly elevated after shooting training. The gastrin level of army recruits that developed erosive gastritis or peptic ulcer was higher than that of normal army recruits, while no significant difference was found on VIP level between the two groups. Compared with that of SUL-90<160 group, the serum cortisol level in SCL-90≥160 group was significantly higher. The serum cortisol level was positively correlated with SCL-90. No significant difference in serum gastri, VIP and β-EP levels was found between the two groups. Conclusion Military psychological stress may initiate, even aggravate the gastrointestinal diseases, and elevate the levels of serum gastrin, VIP, cortisol and β-EP, The incidences of peptic ulcer and gastric mucosal erosion were correlated with increased gastrin secretion. The changes in gastrin secretion level may be a secondary event, and mental status may exert an influence on the gastrin secretion in stress condition.