End of Devil Docs?

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 19:24:46 -0500

No more "Devil Docs?", SECNAV unveils historical changes for hospital corpsmen everywhere.

Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus announced Friday afternoon new changes to the fabled "greenside" Hospital Corpsmen, more notably referred to by their Marines as "docs." A new NAVADMIN released earlier today states that the Department of the Navy plans on transitioning medical care from Navy personnel to a separate Marine medical Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) pertaining to healthcare. The changes, supported by the Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) General Joseph Dunford, are expected to break ground in mid-2015. This plan is part of a new effort to create a more contemporary Marine Corps, attempting to gain medical and logistical independence from the Navy.

The announcement has met some criticism from many Marines and Navy Corpsmen. Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt) Ryan Henryson, attached to 1st Marine Division, says that "Our docs are part of our culture. To try and get rid of them essentially is a disastrous change to the tradition of the Corps and the Navy as a whole. I can't believe that anyone thinks that this is a good idea." The Corpsmen had their say in the matter too, as Hospital Corpsman Second Class (HM2) Jessica Odhner claims, "Corpsmen have always been essential to mission accomplishment for Marines. We've always been by their sides for decades and there's no reason to fix something that's not broken."

Regardless of the criticism, SECNAV Ray Mabus plans to continue the overhaul of the medical care field, citing that "Transferring medical care capabilities to the control of the Marines will help ensure that they receive proper treatment when they need it," and said, "they will receive training similar to fleet Marine force Corpsmen and maintain those qualifications just the same."

Assistant CMC General John Paxton defended the upcoming changes, "It may be a change to the tradition of our Corps, but change is not always a bad thing. We're in a modern era of warfare and a transition into garrison. If [we] can train our Marines to provide responsible medical care then we can be ready for war whenever our nation calls upon us. We're Marines, and we can meet the standards of our beloved Corpsmen if not excel those standards."

SECNAV Ray Mabus stated that he plans to release more details on the restructuring of the Navy and Marine Corps' medical care specialties in early 2015.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Dec 21 at 2014 10:13 PM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 22:13:27 -0500

I served with many Navy 'Docs', those guys are fiercely proud of taking care of their Marine brothers and the Marines love their 'docs'. I am not saying that the Marines couldn't medic their own, but they would be way behind the curve. Corpsman and Army Medics have 10 years of combat experience, why would you ever think removing the Corpsman from the Marines was a good idea...smdh!

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Dec 21 at 2014 10:13 PM

Cpl Dennis F. — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 22:13:39 -0500

It's a very logical change.
but I still think it's F'n stupid.
Always gotta screw with shit!

Response by LCpl Joseph Wilschek made Dec 22 at 2014 12:02 AM

LCpl Joseph Wilschek — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 00:02:54 -0500

WTF we will and still need our devil docs they are and will always be an important part of our beloved Corps

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Dec 22 at 2014 12:16 AM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 00:16:40 -0500

Although it is different, I agree that it does make sense.

We replaced 22 MEU in Hit, Iraq and served under the 2d Marine Division there - I was impressed with the cohesiveness of their docs with the Marines.

The peace of mind I have from this change is from serving with current Commandant, General Dunford, when he was the ISAF Commander in Afghanistan- he is a no nonsense, get after it type of individual (regardless of branch of service). I'd trust that he is doing this for the right reason, without any political reservations or persuasions. There will be a change in culture but it will be best for the long run.

Response by Sgt Jerami Ballard made Jul 8 at 2015 2:38 AM

Sgt Jerami Ballard — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 02:38:51 -0400

Um, you want Marines to administer healthcare? Maybe Sec. Mabus should spent some time amongst the enlisted Marines and learn why we love our docs so.
I was fortunate to have a knack for CLS and the like, the last thing I'd want is another Marine trying to IV someone with rolling veins and go yat-yas on the poor bastard.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 11 at 2015 7:48 AM

PO1 John Miller — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 07:48:48 -0400

"This plan is part of a new effort to create a more contemporary Marine Corps, attempting to gain medical and logistical independence from the Navy."

What's next... The Marine Corps getting their own ships and transporting themselves to where they need to go/inserting themselves on that shoreline?

Response by Sgt Joseph Brent Montgomery made Jul 29 at 2015 3:42 PM

Sgt Joseph Brent Montgomery — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 15:42:04 -0400

As nurse I would love for this to happen, and wish it could have been around when I enlisted back in 1999.

Response by PO1 Scott Cottrell made Jul 29 at 2015 6:47 PM

PO1 Scott Cottrell — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 18:47:44 -0400

They are opening a whole can of worms with this one. So, if you take away the corpsman, who when not in the field, work for a Navy Doctor or Nurse at the base camps running the clinics (in their chain of command). So, how is the chain of command working with a Navy Doctor or Nurse working with Marine Medics? Unless the Marines are going to stand up their own Officer Nurses and Doctors there is going to be a conflict between the services on Chain of command. Marine Corp Hospitals? if you are going to do without Corpsman in the Field why do you want Marines go to Navy Hospitals? What's next Marine Chaplains?

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2015 5:43 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 17:43:12 -0400

This is from a satire website called duffleblog. It is not true. It came out months ago.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2015 6:34 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 18:34:45 -0400

It will be interesting to see how long before corpsman and navy doctors are actually phased out of the Marine Corps. The unfortunate thing is this will mean a downsizing of the Navy corpsman and doctor communities. Unless there are lateral transfers to switch services to the Marine Corps, that means people getting kicked out.