Medics in Armored Divisions

A combat or military medic serving in an armored division is a "trained soldier responsible for providing first aid and frontline trauma care on the battlefield" (Combat, 2008, p. 1). Military medics also provide ongoing medical care for soldiers in the absence of a physician, from treating non-battle injuries to fighting disease. Military medics go through a rigorous 16-week training program that is designed to put them on the same level of skill as a second-year medical resident (Cooper, 2006). Military medics serving in armor divisions purposefully put their lives at risk to care for other soldiers. As Marine General Robert Magnus asserts, "Whenever there is a soldier or Marine storming an enemy position, there is a corpsman or a medic that is right within sight" (Long, 2007, p. 4). This paper will discuss the role of the military medic serving in an armored division, including his or her training and purpose on the field of combat.

Combat or military medics have a variety of names. Since 2005 medics in the army have been referred to as 68Ws (Combat, 2008). Military medics are provided with a unique insignia that identifies them as military personnel. Under the Geneva Convention, knowingly firing at a military medic wearing visible insignia is a war crime (Combat, 2008). The following insignia is used by military medics serving in armored divisions in the U.S. military:

The colors maroon and white are used to stand for medical institu

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ly or carry arms that qualify as offensive (such as a sniper rifle, machine gun or grenade launcher), they then sacrifice their protection under the Geneva Conventions" (Combat, 2008, p. 1). Military medics follow armored divisions into the heat of combat and risk their own lives in order to provide care for their fellow military personnel. Military medics are often held in great esteem by the personnel they provide care to. Many military medics are called "Doc" by the members of their armored division. One military medic explains the significance of this title, "When a medic is called 'Doc' by his fellow troops, it means that he (or she) is not only accepted by his comrades, but he is held in a high regard. Those guys know that he is their 'guardian angel'" (Long, 2007, p. 1). Military medics often inspire greater confidence in troops that know there is a high likelihood of injuries or casualties in combat situation. Medics serve to promote confidence among the troops in this manner in addition to their role as care providers. Today's military medics are among some of the most skilled and talented of any time in history. There are a number of reasons for this. One of the biggest reasons is the advances

Category: History - M