Outside of AIT, how often do 68Ws have to take NPAs?

Spencer Dean — Fri, 15 May 2020 01:15:01 -0400

I just graduated whiskey AIT and I am a new private in an infantry battalion. I wanted to know if at most units is it like the schoolhouse where they make you take NPAs during like every training event where you sim as a casualty ? Because I am a normal nose breathing human, I HATE taking NPAs. Now that I’m out of AIT, am I finally to a point where I can just give NPAs rather than take them?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2020 1:16 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 May 2020 01:16:44 -0400

Your infantrymen will never trust you if you don’t do it/ can’t do it to yourself. I never trained my boys or my junior medics to do procedures I was not comfortable doing/ demonstrating. When your willing to take it yourself, that shows them you are one of them.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2020 1:19 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 May 2020 01:19:19 -0400

Zero times, but I work EMS so I give a lot of them.

Response by SFC Bryan Stetzer made May 15 at 2020 1:26 AM

SFC Bryan Stetzer — Fri, 15 May 2020 01:26:16 -0400

It largely depends on your senior medics, squad leaders, etc. That being said, you're a private, so chances are you're going to be on the receiving end of NPAs, IVs, tourniquets, etc. You'll probably learn to dread the words "demonstrator, post!". It just goes with the territory.

Response by SFC Bryan Stetzer made May 15 at 2020 1:32 AM

SFC Bryan Stetzer — Fri, 15 May 2020 01:32:08 -0400

Something else I would mention is that the Army has largely moved away from "notional" and "for training purposes only" stuff. As much as possible, it's all "train like you fight". This is to avoid training scars (like the guys in the Battle of Mogadishu running out, under fire, to gather up the ropes). BLUF: procedures you'll need to do, you'll practice for real, especially something as common and simple as an NPA. And you'll practice them on each other. So suck it up cupcake, you'll be on the receiving end of more of them.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2020 1:38 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 May 2020 01:38:12 -0400

It will only take one inferior turbinate avulsion to knock that off. Benefit vs risk? Is it worth the risk just to show that you can “handle” it? Honestly, if someone in the medical field is willing to do immature acts just to show that you can, I’d rather not see patients with them. There isn’t a training benefit just to show an untrained person that you can do a procedure on yourself. Save your “lifesaving” ability to when you’re actually needed. People will respect that more.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2020 7:59 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 May 2020 07:59:16 -0400

I'm in a Charlie Med and we almost never give eachother NPAs anymore. It's almost entirely done on mannequins.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2020 6:34 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 May 2020 18:34:44 -0400

IDK, seems to me that the shit will stop the day you puke on one of the senior medics. LOL !!

Response by SFC James Thurman made May 22 at 2020 12:18 PM

SFC James Thurman — Fri, 22 May 2020 12:18:52 -0400

Be aware that you are the trainer and a noob(fng) you are earning the right to be DOC. Take it prior to teaching it or helping them take it. This is not an every time thing just until you earn their trust. But training your guys as much as you can could save your life if they are good at it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2020 7:37 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 07:37:44 -0400

I have taken 1 since being out of AIT....