Female line medics...

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Apr 2014 17:49:40 -0400

My goal is to eventually become a line medic, but from what I am being told it's something that will probably never happen for me because I am a female. Is that generally how all units are about their line medics or is it just my unit? It is something I really want to do...

Response by SGT(P) Angela G. made Apr 6 at 2014 9:26 PM

SGT(P) Angela G. — Sun, 06 Apr 2014 21:26:08 -0400

If you are assigned to a Charlie Med Company, there is a strong chance that you could be attached to one of the Combat Arms Battalions in your Unit. You will do pretty much everything that they do. Convoys, Patrols, Control Points, it can happen if you ask for it. Three pieces of advice:<div>1. Know your job. Know how to take care of your charges and also know that you have one of the most honorable jobs in the military and you have to be able to pull your weight.</div><div>2. Make good decisions. Today more than ever, women that are in traditionally male roles are being scrutinized. Be a professional at all times. You want to be the kind of Soldier and Medic that can be counted on. </div><div>3. Don't shit where you eat. I have seen way to many females become DFAC conversations if you know what I mean. </div>

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2014 8:55 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 20:55:33 -0400

Just because the unit you are in now may or may not let you become a line medic, keep on pushing and striving to be that a Line Medic. I know a lot of medics and the ones that are line medics are kind of in my opinion worthless and useless, but I know that you will get your chance in 6-1, and if you don't here you will at your next duty station for sure. Keep your head up and persue it reach your goal.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2014 9:08 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 21:08:18 -0400

I have never served in a support unit, but I can convey to you what I've seen first hand.

When I deployed to Afghanistan with a cavalry scout squadron we had three combat arms Troops (Cav equivalent of a Company) and one support Troop (Delta Troop for us). All the soldiers in Delta were on loan from the BSB, and included in the package in some way or form were a few female combat medics.

When delta went outside the wire (supply convoys/wrecker support/whatever) they had their female combat medics outside the wire with them in the same combat environment the combat arms guys were in. On one occasion when I was unable to go out with my platoon a female combat medic covered down. This was somewhat shady as I recall, but it happened.

Long rambling story short, there's hope for you. Soon it wont even take luck as the gender barriers are quickly being tossed aside.

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Apr 7 at 2014 9:54 PM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 21:54:06 -0400

We had three female medics assigned to our HHT medic platoon during our last deployment to Afghanistan. They were working out of the SAS, however they performed the same duties as line medics and were able to rotate out with all male Scout PLTs on missions and enjoyed the experience in a CAV unit. After deployment, they went back to C-Med. The line units in combat arms are not MTOEd for females as of yet....however, changes are happening in the Army concerning female positions in all male combat units. If you are assigned to a line unit, another female likely will also be assigned. Stay patient because it may change someday for you.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2014 10:12 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 22:12:13 -0400

We had two female medics when I was in Afghanistan at a BDE level and we sent them to assist with a Route Clearance unit and they requested them each time after that. You do what you are supposed to do, set goals, pursue your goals and you can make it happen.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2014 10:33 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 22:33:37 -0400

Everyone has given you great advise.  Stay focused and do the best job you can in the one you're in.  ALL jobs will be open to ALL personnel very soon.  [BTW - SGT Grimes is absolutely right with bullet #3. The military is still predominantly male.  Unfortunately, in order to be taken seriously in a combat environment, you have to be better.]

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2014 2:57 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 02:57:52 -0400

I just came off a deployment with 2CR, we had no female line medics, however some 1-12 infantry cats that replaced us had a LOT of female line medics. they were probably averaging 1 female medic per line company.  There are units that won't hesitate to throw you into the mix. based on what I saw while we were RIPing, It's probably more of a unit based thing.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2014 1:49 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 13:49:42 -0400

I was in a BSB at Fort Drum (10th Mountain) and we let our female medics be line medics while we were deployed.

Response by SSG Genaro Negrete made Apr 8 at 2014 3:34 PM

SSG Genaro Negrete — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 15:34:18 -0400

It's great that you are motivated to get out there and do great things.

Judging by your assignment information on your profile, it looks like you are in a BCT. Are you with a support battalion or a maneuver battalion (combat arms).

While I have not seen female medics ASSIGNED to combat arms units, they have been ATTACHED. There isn't much difference in regards to being a LINE medic.

If you don't mind my asking, why do you want to be a line medic?

SGT(P) Angela Grimes hit the nail on the head. Be the subject matter expert. This goes for both trauma medicine AND sick call issues. These guys get CLS training left and right, but most don't know how to prevent the common cold. Study up on orthopedic physical assessments and treatment for sports injuries. You will be doing a lot of walking and moving with those guys, so ensure your are able to keep up. Check your equipment! know how to wear it and wear it right. You'll be surprised how many grunts don't know how to properly wear their ruck and kit so as to minimize hip and lower back problems.

Get after it! Let me know if there is anything else we can answer for you.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2014 8:34 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 08:34:49 -0400

PFC Keffer, <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

       I am the Medic
Platoon Sergeant for a Parachute Infantry Battalion. While I have no females
assigned to my battalion, our BSB, and STB units do, and I assure you, they
have received their "line" time. Very often, female medics go out,
and are often an asset, due to cultural issues when dealing with female local
nationals. I also have several friends throughout the division, that have females
down in the Infantry Battalion levels, and the STB Medic PSG in my BCT is a
very high speed medic. She is a senior rated Jump Master, Pathfinder, Air Assault,
CMB, and has a lot of experience. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>  One thing I will
mention though, is that I put mostly experienced medics, as Line Seniors, and
very capable less experienced medics as the Platoon Medics in the Line
Companies. Most of these medics got that experience from working with the PA in
the Aid Stations. While deployed, you will get experience on the line, but in
garrison, you'll get most of the hands on training with the PA in the Aid
Station. Please do not focus only on getting your hands dirty with Trauma, as
they are few and far between. Your bread and butter will be Sick Call, and
exams. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>Take every
course you can, pay attention, be eager to learn, and you will be fine. Focus
on where you can learn the most, and have the most impact on the Soldiers. As a side note, start looking into Civil Affairs. You have some time before you can apply, but if you want to make a difference, it is an amazing career. One of my female medic friends went CA, and loves every second of it.     Very Respectfully,        SSG Meenan

Response by SGT Shon D. Hill made May 2 at 2014 2:07 AM

SGT Shon D. Hill — Fri, 02 May 2014 02:07:33 -0400

Like some folks have said in one way or another already here, it is highly likely that you and other female colleagues will have the opportunity to be a "line medic". I was in Iraq with an Infantry Battalion and I witnessed plenty of female MP's, Transport units, etc. with females gunning in turrets or dismounted and performing infantry soldier tasks. It's just unfortunate that this is still an issue even after 10 years of combat missions. Keep up your hard work, you and peers will be the pioneer female "Doc's"!

Response by SPC Charles Brown made May 2 at 2014 2:29 AM

SPC Charles Brown — Fri, 02 May 2014 02:29:45 -0400

Krisha, fight the good fight and never give up. Just because someone tells you that what you want is something you cannot have doesn't mean it cannot or will not ever come true. Stick to your guns kid. God bless you and I hope you reach your goal.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2021 11:35 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 11:35:21 -0500

We’ve had female line medics in our squadron, it’s very well obtainable. I have a female as one of my platoon medics currently. Keep that drive and keep letting your chain of command know you want to be on the line and keep improving your pt and your skills medically.