I'm concerned for a Medic I work with. Does anyone know regulations based around medics and how they operate in the field?

SPC Mike O'Connor — Mon, 20 May 2019 03:43:57 -0400

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2019 4:45 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 May 2019 04:45:42 -0400

SPC Mike O'Connor that's a little vague. What particularly are you concerned about? In general, check AR 40-3, ATP 4-02.55, and FM 4-02.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made May 20 at 2019 8:04 AM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Mon, 20 May 2019 08:04:45 -0400

You know who would probably know? That medic's direct chain of command. Who you should probably be going to with any concerns regarding their performance (or lack of) in the field.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made May 20 at 2019 9:36 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Mon, 20 May 2019 09:36:27 -0400

Need note info!

Response by SFC Michael D. made May 20 at 2019 11:14 AM

SFC Michael D. — Mon, 20 May 2019 11:14:59 -0400

Medics have to operate within the scope of their training. There is a grey area when the bullits are flying. If I have to amputate a limb to move you because an imminent air strike will take us both out, well you just lost that limb because I'm not leaving you behind. If we are at a Fort Hood training area you'd get a tourniquet and an evac. What was the issue? He wasn't trying to perform brain surgury was he?

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2019 12:55 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 May 2019 12:55:03 -0400

I wish you luck with this one. Unfortunately, I’ve watched as duty sections and read blurbs that provide evidence that mediocrity is the new standard. I’m too many cases, outside of a major conflict, proficiency becomes both a luxury and sometimes a speed bump to local “objectives”. Proficiency is 100% cyclical. We saw this at the end Desert Storm (didn’t last long enough to create a lot of good medics) and we didn’t take the lessons learned from Desert Storm into OIF/OEF. Active Duty high acuity experience dropped exponentially as a direct result of the brilliance behind all of the BRAC rounds which closed down many of our REAL medical facilities and removed the opportunity to develop a broad base of proficiency state side. Much of what we are leaning toward now as current and evidence based medicine was bought and paid for by the blood of our fallen or brought to uniform medicine by Guard and Reserve doctors who are board certified, real doctors in real hospitals Monday-Friday on the outside. The Army was smart enough to figure this out with the Flight Medic program as they saw the mortality reduction with patients transported by flight medics who were civilian flight paramedics, critical care paramedics and 911 paramedics in their civilian careers. I’m addition, our inspections have turned into program policy and practice inspections and record reviews instead of task and ability oriented inspections. The inspectors focus on what you document and TRUST that you can do it. That will take a long time to fix because it’s bad press if we actually demonstrate (for example) that 75% of health care providers can’t perform their core tasks proficiently. Being up your concerns to their supervisor and document, document, document OBJECTIVELY. Meanwhile, be the best that you can be because THEY like to live in a world of make believe that every medic is trained the same. I keep seeing folks petition for legislation for recognition of military medics to transfer into the civilian sector. It’s examples like these that keep that from happening. Law Suits are real on the outside. Civilians don’t necessarily view negligence as “an acceptable % of loss” and civilian facilities get their doors closed or heavily fined when they are mostly non compliant or employees put patients at risk. As I have moonlighted my entire military career, most places that I have worked would pull you from patient care and mandate additional training if you fall below 80% in your tracked skills and procedures in patient care. I’ve NEVER seen anything like that in the military. Wonder why the VA has the problems that it has? Who fill many of those positions? Where were they “trained”? What are their licensure, certification or board are they required to have and maintain?

Response by PO2 Russell Houston made May 20 at 2019 6:42 PM

PO2 Russell Houston — Mon, 20 May 2019 18:42:33 -0400

As A past Navy Corpsman and having had worked with and gone to school with Army Medics, back in the day. It was apparent to not only myself ,but them also, that their training. and experience level was lacking. On the other hand Navy Corpsmen often had to work without the benefit of doctors.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2019 8:38 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 May 2019 20:38:31 -0400

Concerned in what way? Behavior? Talk to his chain of command.
Job description? Talk to another medic.
Tasks? Talk to his PSG or 1SG. Sometimes, they don't pull guard, get on the gunners hatch, RTO, etc... Their job is to MEDIC and conduct checks with the Soldiers within the area. I don't expect my medics to do any of the above, unless it's the last resort.

Response by SPC Casey Ashfield made May 20 at 2019 10:34 PM

SPC Casey Ashfield — Mon, 20 May 2019 22:34:45 -0400

Concern why? I cross trained with many 68W and have to give tough love to a few so they would have a better concept of their duties. So I will help any way I can.

Response by SSG Raymond Lester made May 21 at 2019 12:00 AM

SSG Raymond Lester — Tue, 21 May 2019 00:00:08 -0400

You need to see their platoon sergeant.

Response by SGT Philip Klein made May 21 at 2019 12:46 PM

SGT Philip Klein — Tue, 21 May 2019 12:46:15 -0400

NCO, use them