“For the most part, when we send medics forward, whether Special Ops Forces medical elements or PJs, they have to have the capability to be self-sufficient, with a small footprint, and operate for prolonged periods of time in austere environments without outside support,” notes Lt. Col. Michael Curriston, Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) chief of operational medicine. With the advent of advanced procedures and medical technology, even polytrauma can be survivable … Ty Able, from Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. Joint Base Lewis-McChord-- U.S. Army Ranger Medics from 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment conducted combat casualty care training during the battalion's Task Force Training August 2019.. Ranger medics are provided with the most up-to-date, state of the art equipment and technology available to do their jobs. Ranger leaders can significantly reduce the number of Rangers who die of wounds sustained in combat by simply targeting optimal medical capability in close proximity to the point of wounding. More than 200 years later, field medics are an integral part of almost any platoon that's likely to see combat. I love the action and combat aspect of infantry. As the explosions and bullets riddled the area around Bowen and Able, they made careful calculations and risked their own lives for their brothers. you are only a Ranger after completing the Ranger School, which is a combat leadership course. October 4, 2019 Japan, U.S. Medics tackle realistic combat casualty care September 12, 2019 Department of the Army announces upcoming 3rd BCT, 82nd Airborne Division, unit rotation Charles Bowen and Sgt. However, soldiers may not mix these badges with combat and special skill badges that do not have the mirror-like finish. Navy SEAL Combat medics are the backbone of the community, he added. 68Ws are primarily responsible for providing emergency medical treatment at point of wounding on the battlefield, limited primary care, and health protection and evacuation from a point of injury or illness. Army combat medics who complete Airborne Ranger training and join Ranger battalions will complete the Special Operations Combat Medics course. _____ I graduated the Special Operations Combat Medic (SOCM) program in June 2013 as part of my pipeline to become a Ranger Medic. A solid foundation has been built for Ranger leaders and medics to be successful in managing casualties in a combat environment. Medics learn the entire continuum of care from the moment of the injury until evacuation to a facility. but not everyone is in 75th Ranger Regiment. Once a Special Operations Combat Medics graduates, the training never stops. A medic assigned to a post medical activity will not see it at all. Combat medic candidates are sent on to advanced training, which typically lasts 16 weeks. Medics are not required to shoot the enemy, you are given a presumption of CO status and the only weapon you need to carry is a purely defensive 9mm. Definitely don't want to miss out too much of that on deployment or training as a medic. The same MOS feeds both jobs, as well as all areas in between, like brigade medical support and CSH units. Combat Medic's Helmet , 1941/1945, From the collection of: National D-Day Memorial This rare surviving example of a medic's M-1 helmet features the iconic red cross, a vivid symbol of hope for the wounded soldier hoping for medical attention. He is still expected to do routine departmental training with his respective team and he has to go back to SOCM skills and sustainment courses once every two years for mandatory refresher training. The Combat Medic Specialist is primarily responsible for providing emergency medical treatment at the point of wounding on the battlefield, limited primary care, and health protection and evacuation from a point of injury or illness. Ranger medics put the Ranger O Low Titer Whole Blood Program, or ROLO, into action in Afghanistan last summer during a battle with insurgents in Wardak province, although news of … Does this mean they carry weapons? All Rangers do not have Ranger assignments their entire career. A combat medic in the U.S. Army is designated MOS 68W and undergoes 25 weeks of training -- 9 weeks in basic training plus 16 weeks of specialized training. About the Armed Services Blood Program Since 1962, the Armed Services Blood Program has served as the sole provider of blood for the United States military. Their capabilities include conducting airborne and air assault operations, seizing key terrain such as airfields, destroying strategic facilities, and capturing or killing enemies of the nation. Better chance for promotion. They saved six lives that night. The students are put through intense conditions, often sleeping only 4 hours a night and eating 1 to 2 meals fewer a day than they’re used to. The original version of this article, “Ranger Medics Save Lives in Combat,” appeared at army.mil on January 13, 2020. Combat Medics may put themselves in greater harm than many other roles on the battlefield. In the type of asymmetric warfare which typifies modern conflicts, the enemy may or may not have respect for the laws of war and may or may not in fact actively target medics for the significant value they have in keeping the unit combat-effective. Directing casualty response management and evacuation is a Ranger leader task; ensuring technical medical competence is a Ranger Medic task. Civilian medicine has been greatly advanced by procedures that were first developed to treat the wounds inflicted during combat. Many combat medics in the Army risk their lives to take care of a fallen soldier. This course of study takes 36 weeks to complete and provides greater in-depth training in the types of care that participants in Special Operations missions may require. Each time we went out on a convoy, one Air Force medic and one Army medic accompanied 40-60 people. I'm currently in the process of enlisting, I've just been filling out paperwork, I have not been to MEPS nor have taken the ASVAB. These were the battlefield medics. Ranger Special Operations Combat Medics are affectionately called “Doc” by the men. Unfortunately, conventional 68W’s have virtually none of the schooling, experience, support, and resourcing available to Ranger Medics. 68W is the Army MOS for Health Care Specialist (Combat Medic). Other health care specialists may work at treatment facilities behind the lines or at Army bases located around the world. An integrated team response from non-medical personnel and medical providers must be in place to care for the wounded Ranger. Battlefield medicine, also called field surgery and later combat casualty care, is the treatment of wounded combatants and non-combatants in or near an area of combat. Can they still go out into the field and combat environments with a platoon? Better chance of varied assignments. First re-posted in The Havok Journal on 27 March 2014. While the Ranger Creed is a way of life in the Regiment, it also provides important guidance to a Ranger whenever there is a question or doubt about what the correct course of action may be. In the U.S. Army, a 68W is the military occupational specialty, or MOS, code for health care specialists, sometimes called combat medics.Combat medics are usually deployed with platoons to provide emergency care on the battlefield and to evacuate injured personnel. Combat Medics and Balad Airmen Deliver Medical Aid to Balad Iraqis A Hospital Corpsman holds a rate of “0000” or “quad zero” after graduating “A” school. 68W (pronounced as sixty-eight whiskey using the NATO phonetic alphabet) is the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) for the United States Army's Combat Medic. Ranger Medics are widely regarded as collectively being the best trained and most experienced combat trauma medics in the DoD. Many become highly decorated for bravery and perform over and above the call of duty earning awards such as the Congressional Medal of Honor. Leading that fight were two Ranger Combat Medics, Staff Sgt. Last year, two Ranger combat medics proved that … Yes, they do. It isn't actually a branch question its a Regiment Question. They were probably recruited for Ranger School. A fresh, whole blood transfusion is the holy grail for treating patients who have lost life-threatening amounts of blood (also known as massive hemorrhage), but the logistical challenges of collecting and transfusing fresh blood in combat scenarios are daunting. potentially, ANYONE in the Army could apply and try for Ranger School. Lets face it in both Marines and Army some units due to their standard mission need to see more action than others. Benning. Let’s take a closer look at what rangers have to do to earn the ranger tab. Navy SEAL Medics take the 36-week program to learn how to handle combat trauma and tactical casualties. by Paul Matthew Kirby (RN, BSN, NREMT-P, ATP) This article originally appeared in ArmyRanger.com and is reposted here with the permission of the original author. Any Combat Medics out there willing to answer some questions? Medics are organic to Ranger companies and platoons and go with and do everything that the platoon does (training and combat). The 75th Ranger Regiment is a Special Operations Force in the US Army, so yes, they see combat. When it comes to medical care under fire it’s hard to find a better remedy than Special Operations combat medics. As a JET airman, I was on a team of 11 Air Force medics attached to a team of 40 Army medics. The benefits to becoming a Ranger? During this training to become a combat medic, students spend time in the classroom and in simulated battlefield environments. A 75th Ranger Regiment Medic trains to deliver whole blood on the battlefield. Curious, after one earns the Ranger tab and moves onto a platoon or senior medic. Ranger Medics are Rangers just like every other Ranger and undergo all of the training inherent to the mission of Ranger units. Photo courtesy of 75th Ranger Regiment. The Ranger First Responder, Squad EMT, Ranger Medic Advanced Tactical (2) A total of five combat and special skill badges are authorized for wear at one time; this total does not include special skill tabs (see figs 29.52 and 29.53). The first phase of the course lasts 21 days and is split into two parts – ranger assessment and patrol. This was my second deployment with the Army, so I … Combat medics also receive the same basic weapons training as every other soldier. Combat medics must stay current with first aid standards.