Modern military actions and non-military operations characterized by high-intensity, sudden emergencies and long continuous working inevitably lead to sleep deprivation of military personnel. High-intensity actions require military personnel to maintain excellent action abilities all the times; sudden emergencies need them to maintain alert; and the continuous work need them to maintain a healthy mental state. Therefore, how to effectively combat sleep deprivation, keep alert and have high stress ability have become the focus of modern military medical research. This article reviews the research progress of central nervous system stimulants, preventive sleep medications, sleep induction and rapid recovery drugs, and non-drug measures to combat sleep deprivation.