Is combat required to be called a Combat medic?

As a member of a sister service, USAF, who was lucky enough to have had the opportunity to train with some of the best medical personnel in 3 branches. I received the EFMB back in 1994, prior to that I was a EMT-B and Flight medic. I wore that EFMB badge with honor because in my branch not many were able to accomplish, nor be afforded the opportunity to, gain that badge. I was also trained in Swift water rescue, High to low angle rope rescue, Wilderness advanced rescue and Dive Medicine Technician/ Hyperbarics. I worked for and with SF units and Marine units. I have seen the African savanna and the deep cold of the Arctic, I have worked SERE and Helo-rescue, I was a Independent duty medic / Paramedic for 15 years. But with all that I never considered myself a "Combat" medic until bullets flew and friends fell. Doesn't the Army make that distinction also? Doesn't it state that the "Combat Medic Badge" is Awarded for Performing medical duties while being actively engaged by the enemy. Otherwise it is just an "Expert Field Medical Badge"

No it is not. But a 68W's primary training is in the treatment of Battlefield Casualties. That it would seem is where this might come from.

I simply referred to myself as a "Whiskey". If more description was requested then I would respond with "68 Whiskey, medic". I'm sure there was a time where I felt the need to toot my horn; by the end of my career I was more concerned with weather or not the Joe's trusted me enough to come to me when they needed me rather than what I called myself. Knowing your guys trust you is so much more gratifying than a title.....at least for me.

Yes. Why? We are trained as EMT's. EMT's are NOT trained in combat skills and do NOT see combat. That is what police are for. We are also trained other variety of medical field skills. That does NOT make us combat, it makes us EMERGENCY Trauma and Medicine. Combat revolves around us being attacked and having to defend ourselves.
There is an entire museum in Texas about the history of the Medic. To cheapen it by giving that title to undeployed, non-combat experienced medics is sad and insulting to those who have died and us who have earned it.

This is such an interesting question......I had never thought of calling myself anything but a combat medic. I was trained and then went on to attain the LPN license which now deems me a 68W. There has been so many changes in the titles in the last twenty years. I have gone to every place the military has ever told me to go, but after having children my husband I agreed not to volunteer for any combat tours. The military always deemed that my skill-set was needed CONUS. I am trained and therefore I consider myself a combat medic. I have applied these skills in the civilian setting at vehicle and BMX related accidents. I think that the point the Soldier was trying to make is that the MOS is currently titled "medical specialist." The training is totally geared toward combat care and not the clinical setting. I also believe that some Soldiers feel that unless you serve in a combat zone, you do not deserve or understand the experience. I feel that this judgement is rather unfortunate because you might be overlooking the value of great Soldiers because they don't have a patch. Soldiers do not always choose their path. The important thing is to do the best and give all that you have to the position and situation in which you find yourself. I have listed below the history of titles and number changes related to the "Combat Medic". Honored to serve........1SG Christie Fields
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It makes me Currently known as 68W, the Army's basic medical MOS was changed, effective October 1, 2006. During the Vietnam War era, the MOS codes 91W (91 Whiskey, nuclear medicine specialist), 91B (91 Bravo, medical NCO) and 91A (91 Alpha, medical corpsman) were used.

The Department of the Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel issued a notice for future change for the MOS 91B and 91C (Licensed Practical Nurse) in September 1999. The notice established the transition of personnel holding both MOSs to 91W to begin on 1 October 2001 and end on 30 September 2007. The 91W MOS required additional training and the maintenance of civilian EMT certification which was previously optional for soldiers. Army personnel holding MOS 91C would become 91Ws (and later 68Ws) with an additional skill identifier of M6. During the transitory period, all 91B and 91C classified soldiers were given the Y2 identifier until completion of additional training to become 91W, reclassification to a different MOS, or discharge from the US Army.

68W IS COMBAT MEDIC... If you serve as such you are a Combat Medic...

pretty sure They (68W) are healthcare specialists. There is no MOS that is titled combat medic or even medic.

I served 98-02. Never went anywhere but NTC, only combat I saw was bar fights in Aggieville downtown Manhattan KS, but my DD-214 shows I took a week long "Combat Medic" Class. Its the name of a class, people need to brush the sand out and quit getting butt hurt over everything. People are starting to see stolen valor like a bad case of the 6th sense. My MOS was 14R. Bradley Linebacker, front line air defense. Do i need to serve in a major war that has front lines to be able to claim that MOS? Lots of major shit out in the real world to worry about, I suggest we drop some of this minor shit and get on with it.

Will everyone just get over yourselves, over the whole "combat" thing. I don't recall anyone in the late 80's and through must of the 90's getting butt hurt over titles.

Here's my question why do Flight Medics who actively participated in combat do not receive CMB but CAB instead and do you still call them healthcare specialists or simply flight medics? Can they put down on resume Combat Medic?