Brevity Codes on 9-Line Medivac?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 15:03:52 -0400

I am looking for someone who has recently deployed, in the previous years. I know that we have brevity codes for our 9-line but I am from the school of logic that uses plain talk to relay the information. Primarily to prevent a mistake in the transmission of the information.

What did you use when you deployed?

*I appreciate any input but I am primarily looking for those we recent combat experience in the past couple years. I am trying to focus on current TTPs.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Oct 27 at 2014 3:10 PM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 15:10:48 -0400

If the issue is severe enough, the abbreviations could save a life due to time. It would be something worth practice often however.

Response by SSG Keven Lahde made Oct 27 at 2014 3:12 PM

SSG Keven Lahde — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 15:12:36 -0400

It avoids any doubt of confusion.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2014 4:14 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 16:14:19 -0400

Using brevity codes may save you a second or two of transmission time, but they are too easily confused depending on who is sitting at the other end of the radio.

So in short, keep it simple.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2014 4:24 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 16:24:35 -0400

On those unfortunate occurences, we used the brevity codes. A standardized, simple code system that is the SOP for U.S. Army units alleviates most, if not all, confusion in order to get those guys out of there.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Oct 27 at 2014 4:29 PM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 16:29:47 -0400

There is a reason that these codes were developed, STANDARDIZATION, that way there tends to be no confusion.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Oct 27 at 2014 6:44 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 18:44:07 -0400

After a while you know the card and can say the danmge by memory. It does take practice - sadly.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Dec 5 at 2014 7:26 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 19:26:03 -0500

In 2011-2012 when we called ours we would use the standard format, but plain English.

Brevity-codes can confuse the other guy, only use them with people you know and trust. For redundancy, you can do both, the letter code followed by the plain english e.g. Line 8: 2 A ISAF Mil

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2014 1:24 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 01:24:41 -0500

Combat medic here with two deployments under my belt. I used the brevity codes because that was how I was trained. Trust me when I say that every single line medic has the 9 line memorized to perfection. It's one of the most basic and important skills expected of us, especially considering the circumstances of its use.

We call in a 9 line as often as not while still in contact with the enemy. Our blood is pounding, adrenaline rushing through us, mind in full overdrive fight mode (f*** flight), and yet we're expected to communicate the precise details of our triage situation on the ground calmly and efficiently. You don't do that by winging it using plain language, you do that with "muscle memory" recalling extensive training to a practiced standard.

Edit: For clarity my first deployment was in '07-'08, and my second was for all of 2010.