Where did the tradition of calling a Medic "Doc" originate from and is this common in all Service Branches?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 09:44:15 -0400

Does anyone know the origin of the term "Doc" being given to Army Combat Medics, Navy Corpsman (Navy and Marines), Coast Guard Aviation Medics, or Air Force Medics?

Is it strictly out of respect?

What are your thoughts RP Members and Connections?

Response by PO1 Michael Fullmer made Sep 20 at 2016 9:50 AM

PO1 Michael Fullmer — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 09:50:38 -0400

I don't know about the Army, but from my time, when a corpsman reported to a Marine unit for the first time, they were called corpsman. They had to prove themselves to their units before they would earn the title "Doc". Once that mutual respect was there, you were good to go. The better you took care of your Marines, the better they took care of you. Just my observation.

Response by SPC Britanny Winnie Balthaser made Sep 20 at 2016 9:52 AM

SPC Britanny *Winnie* Balthaser — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 09:52:49 -0400

My father is still referred to as Doc to this day by his navy buddies, I think it's a respect thing, just because they aren't doctors doesn't mean they aren't doing the things that doctors do, like treating, mending, healing, even being a soundboard. I think if you were a good medic then doc is an endearment for what you represent.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2016 9:52 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 09:52:58 -0400

I think that's more common in Navy/Marines. In my experience in the Army at least it takes a lot to earn that title as an Army Medic. I've only seen maybe three Soldiers called by that term. These were the guys that went out on the patrols with the Soldiers and were in the sh*t day in and day out with the Soldiers and not back at the TMC watching TV.

Response by Cpl George Crab made Sep 20 at 2016 9:59 AM

Cpl George Crab — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 09:59:41 -0400

I remember, from after I switched over to the Navy, and an E6 Corpsman at Parris Island called me Doc, I was honored. Imagine an Independent Duty Corpsman, above you in rate, calling you Doc!

The recruits called me sir. For those not a Marine, recruits refer to those that already had been through boot camp, sir.

So, yes. Even though after being stationed at other bases and being called Doc, or when deployed, the first time getting called Doc, instead of Corpsman, well ... that kind of is a nickname of honor. At least to me, it was. I remember the ID Corpsman's name, even, after 33 years!

Response by SSG Drew Cook made Sep 20 at 2016 10:04 AM

SSG Drew Cook — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 10:04:25 -0400

The "Doc" nickname is always one that is earned. Otherwise, it's "Band-Aid".

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2016 10:18 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 10:18:12 -0400

yes we always called our medic "DOC" as far as where it originated from, idk.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2016 10:27 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 10:27:24 -0400

I don't know the official origin but I do know that the term has been around since WW2. As a medic it is an honor to have the term doc bestowed on you. It means that the Soldiers respect and trust you completely. The first time I was called doc I was a PFC at fort Riley 20 some years ago and my best friend and I got a call to a lightning strike, we were told there was 1 casualty. When we arrived there were 2 in cardiac arrest and 3 with burns and dyspnea and desatimg on the 70's. We were both really new to being medics but we drew on each others strengths and utilized the uninjured Soldiers in the area to help treat. We stabilized and got all 5 on the 997 we had to use a mechanic to drive the lance since we were both doing CPR and rescue breathing in the back, well we got them back to the aid station. When we got to the aid station only a PA was there so we stayed by his side and help treat. After it was all over the PA started calling us both doc and it stuck. I was very proud to be a Soldier and medic that day. I am not putting this out there for kudos. I am making a point that rhe term is earned and is almost sacred. It is not a term used to describe a shit bag medic it's not given to anyone but If you have a medic that you call doc on patrol with you you can rest assured he or she will do what ever it takes to bring you home alive. Many Soldiers don't realize that when medics lose a comrade it tears us apart so we will do anything to save you, your battle, your brother or sister son or daughter, father or mother and yes even the CSM too

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 20 at 2016 10:31 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 10:31:48 -0400

I did a little research on the term medic which seems to have been around since ancient times but not used the way it has been since the civil war.COL Mikel J. Burroughs
Here is a short history of medics from the site below:
"During Ancient times if a soldier was wounded, he laid in the field where he had fallen. There was no one to come to his aid.
Napoleon's Army was the first to assign people to help the wounded. They were called the litter-bearers, made up mostly of inept and expendable soldiers. The American Colonel Army lead by George Washington, also had litter-bearers during the Revolutionary War.
In 1862, due to the unexpected size of casualty lists during the battle of Manassas where it took one week to remove the wounded from the battlefield, Dr. Jonathan Letterman, Head of Medical Services of the Army of the Potomac, revamped the Army Medical Corps. His contribution included staffing and training men to operate horse teams and wagons to pick up wounded soldiers from the field and to bring them back to field dressing stations for initial treatment. This was our Nation's first Ambulance Cops. Dr. Letterman also developed the 3 tiered evacuation system which is still used today.
Field Dressing (Aid) Station - located next to the battlefield. Dressings and tourniquets
Field Hospital - Close to the battlefield (during the Civil War it would be Barns or Houses, today they are known as MASH units). Emergency surgery and treatment.
Large Hospital - Away from the battlefield. For patients' prolonged treatment.
Dr. Letterman's transportation system proved successful. In the battle of Antietam, which was a 12 hour engagement and the bloodiest one day battle in the entire Civil War, the ambulance system was was able to remove all the wounded from the field in 24 hours. Dr. Jonathan Letterman is known today as the Father of Modern Battlefield Medicine. Unfortunately, amputation was the primary method of treatment for wounds to extremities during the Civil War with over 50,000 resulting amputees.
During the Spanish American War in the 1890's Nicholas Sin stated: Fate of the wounded soldier is determined by the hand which applies the dressing. Field dressings are now applied by litter-bearers in the field.
World War I required millions of casualties to be treated at the front. Unlike previous wars, battles did not stop to retrieve the wounded or the dead. World War I saw, for the first time, medics rushing forward with the troops, finding the wounded, stopping their bleeding and bringing the wounded soldier to the aid station. In World War I medics were no longer expendable and were well trained.
After World War I, Military Medicine advanced. Training became a priority both in fighting and medical care. Medics were trained along side infantry soldiers, learning how to use the lay of the land for their protection and that of their patients. Medics were also trained in the use of pressure dressings, plasma IV's, tracheotomy, splints, and administering drugs.
During World War II a wounded soldier had an 85% chance of surviving if he was treated by a medic within the first hour. This figure was three times higher than World War I survival statistics. The red cross worn by medics on their helmet and arm bands became visible targets for enemy snipers during World War II and Korea.
Korea saw the advent of the helicopter being used to bring men from the front lines to M*A*S*H units (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital).
In Vietnam, the medic's job was to treat and evacuate. Medevac helicopters now could bring medics on board to continue treating the wounded while transporting them back to the Field Hospitals. There was a 98% survival rate for soldiers who were evacuated within the first hour. Vietnam was the first time medics were armed and carried firearms and grenades into combat. Red crosses on helmets and arm bands were no longer worn."
http://www.1stcavmedic.com/medic_history.htm

History of Medics

A Brief history from ancient times to present day

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 20 at 2016 11:17 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 11:17:47 -0400

Oh, we used to call Doc's pecker checkers, not sure what they are called with mixed gender crews.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2016 12:22 PM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 12:22:32 -0400

Corpsman, are the ones you go see in sick call and some never make it to the field with you, and mix it up or get down and dirty with you. The ones that live in the suck with you and get dirty are "DOC's". We have Corpsman and "DOC's" in our Seabee Battalions and the troops will call them such, or petty officer and when they call them that there is no respect for them.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2016 12:22 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 12:22:59 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs We called the Corpsman "Doc" out of respect. They were one of us and went where we went. They were called "Doc" and I considered them as a fellow Marine. I will always have the utmost respect for Corpsman.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 20 at 2016 1:08 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 13:08:10 -0400

I'm going to hazard a quess, and say probably around the Civil War time period.

Response by PO3 David Fries made Sep 20 at 2016 4:31 PM

PO3 David Fries — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 16:31:57 -0400

I'm not sure where the nickname came from, to be honest. I do know that on the enlisted side, it is primarily Navy Corpsman (don't you dare call me a Medic unless your a civilian and don't know any better) that get that affectation. I know before I was with a Marine unit, I was never called that by a patient, unless that patient was a Marine. My Marine brothers still call me Doc to this day, and I still wear that like a badge of honor.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Sep 20 at 2016 4:43 PM

Capt Tom Brown — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 16:43:18 -0400

Never learned or heard of the origin of the term. We always referred to Corpsmen as 'Doc' regardless of their rank. We always called for a 'Corpsman' to aid a wounded buddy, but then referred to the individual as 'Doc' . The term 'Doctor' was always used for medical Drs..

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2016 7:05 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 19:05:23 -0400

doc is earned, whether in the field or in combat, you have through your actions in both proved youself, and your sm's respect that and honor you as doc whether e1- e8, you go above and beyound your duty position to accomplish the mission, when your in the field or combat you need to shoot, move and communicate as well as do your job, being called doc is the greatest honor for a medic

Response by SSgt David Tedrow made Sep 21 at 2016 10:20 AM

SSgt David Tedrow — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 10:20:48 -0400

To become a corpsman assigned to a marine unit is a grueling process. First the potential “medic” must attend the normal eight week Navy Boot Camp where basic military subjects are taught to the new sailor. From here, the next school is Hospital Corpsman which is designed to train the sailor for a specialized role in the medical field, such as Laboratory Technician or Corpsman which covers basic patient care, emergency care, etc. Then if the “medic” is being assigned as a Corpsman with the marines, it is on to the Fleet Marine Force Corpsman School. This school, seven weeks in length, is designed to train the student for dealing with combat trauma on the battlefield and for understanding how the marines operate and function. As stated by one of the instructors in the school, “A bad corpsman is worse than no corpsman at all because a corpsman who doesn’t understand tactics, or walk, talk and act like a marine is going to compromise the mission and get a lot of people killed.” The objective of this last school is to train sailors good enough for their assignment with the marines in combat. The good ones who graduate earn the marines respect; the great ones earn the title of “Doc”.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2016 11:29 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 11:29:14 -0400

Down range with a medic is the closest thing service members have to a doctor. I performed many a procedure out there that would have been well above my pay grade here. I had the knowledge and over time the skill to perform them. Some of them were to save the service members life, some were to get them back out in the fight. I found that the term "Doc" was as most have said a sign of respect and trust that I was gonna take care of them no matter what and that they trusted me to do so. I was in certain situations where I worked alongside other branches and became more trusted than there own medic/corpsman. They called me "Doc" and referred to them by either their rank or just "our medic/corpsman".

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Sep 21 at 2016 7:49 PM

Sgt Dale Briggs — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 19:49:05 -0400

I don't know the origin, but they were always Doc. IMO they're special people, sometimes they let our shot records slide, it's fun to get 3-4 booster shots at the same time. Just screwing with us, but they were highly respected.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Sep 22 at 2016 3:09 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 15:09:54 -0400

I'm going to be honest, that's an interesting question because it's something we do but don't really know why we do it. I mean they do have ranks just as much as any of us do, so I wonder if any of them ever felt disrespected for not being addressed by rank. I mean even the docs I knew referred to themselves as Doc. I'd be interested if anyone had a genuine answer.

Response by LTC Jesse Edwards made Sep 26 at 2016 7:40 PM

LTC Jesse Edwards — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 19:40:57 -0400

I don't know but when a medic is the guy who sticks his hands in the gut of someone trying to save their lives or limbs, that's a lot of responsibility and it isn't surprising a lot of respect comes with it.

Response by GySgt Charles O'Connell made Sep 27 at 2016 9:33 AM

GySgt Charles O'Connell — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 09:33:39 -0400

The origins?? No clue. I have heard them described as, "Usually a young, long-haired, bearded, Marine-hatin Sailor with certain medical skills who would go though the very gates of hell to get a wounded Marine." RIP Maj Duncan. I've always known it to be a term of affection and respect. We've got a Doc on our side, not some ivy league chancre mechanic.

Response by SGT Mark Rhodes made Sep 27 at 2016 10:52 AM

SGT Mark Rhodes — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 10:52:22 -0400

I don't know enough of the history but we called them Doc in units I was stationed at in the Army

Response by SPC Jim Donovan made Sep 27 at 2016 11:07 AM

SPC Jim Donovan — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 11:07:35 -0400

As a ex- medic (you are never a ex-medic). Almost 20 yrs ago with the 2nd and 3rd ID. You earned that name. It meant a hell of a lot to me when the guys started calling me "Doc".

Response by SFC Patrick M. made Sep 27 at 2016 11:13 AM

SFC Patrick M. — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 11:13:07 -0400

I don't know where the tradition started. I do know that it is a term of respect. I know I earned it by being a professional, caring, and more then competent medic. I know many of my colleagues over the years who were never called Doc.

Response by SrA Alvin Cook made Sep 27 at 2016 11:17 AM

SrA Alvin Cook — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 11:17:44 -0400

I wonder myself as that one of my nick names was Doc A when i was a surgical tech.

Response by LtCol Garret Whiteside made Sep 27 at 2016 11:59 AM

LtCol Garret Whiteside — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 11:59:56 -0400

All I know is that when in Combat the Medic is your Emergency Room Doctor. I think it started during the Civil War when the Actual Field Doctors were also doing the field emergency treatments that Medics do now, but who really aren't MDs. But since they are probably saving your life "What difference does it make?" They deserve the nickname "DOC".

Response by LT Aaron Pease made Sep 27 at 2016 12:28 PM

LT Aaron Pease — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 12:28:30 -0400

In early 2004, I was once traveling across an overpass near Habbaniyah, Al Anbar, in a "Hillbilly up-armored" Humvee back to TQ. The convoy was small and was a mishmash of USMC and Army assets. The only strong memories from the event I have involve two men:
At some point, part of the bridge detonated and chaos ensued. After the bridge blew up, the convoy started taking small arms fire from somewhere. There were pieces of bridge debris and smoke everywhere. A young Army Sergeant I had talked with just a short time before we left the wire (he was going home), had sustained injuries to his legs and was on his back lying in the road--conscious--and very pissed. The speed at which all this unfolded remains unknown to me. Then, I remember seeing one of my "Devil Docs" (Navy, FMF Corpsman) sitting on the Sergeant, straddling him, working on his injuries. As Doc worked and small arms fire continued, the Sergeant, having been separated from his weapon after the detonation, reached up and pulled the 9MM Baretta from Doc's flack. On his back, while Doc worked on him, the Sergeant sent 9MM rounds in the direction of enemy fire. As Doc worked and the Sergeant fired, Doc repositioned himself to provide defilade for the Sergeant who was still prone on his back.
I cannot and have not articulated to you my friends the profound impact this had on me. I watched one man reflexively place himself in mortal peril to protect his patient while his patient fought to protect them both. My Docs would likely say, "Sir, thats how we roll," but until you see it first hand, the idea, the history, the training, remain theoretical. War is certainly an expression of the vile acts men commit ON one another; however, within its savagery and waste, men also find opportunities to commit profound acts FOR one another, and thus, sow the seeds of hope for humanity and the future prospects of avoiding war.
During my tours in 2004 and 2006 I have lost Docs in combat and to a man they gave their lives protecting their Marines. Their Esprit de Corps, history, tradition, within the Marine Corps, has shaped the foundation and DNA of what the Navy & Marine Corps Team is all about. The FMF "dirt-Sailors" who have served "green-side" have forever linked the sea-services together into one team, one fight. All Devil Docs are Navy Corpsman, but not all Corpsman are Devil Docs-----only the few, the proud, the always faithful. Semper Fi.

Response by A1C Lisa Casserly made Sep 27 at 2016 1:01 PM

A1C Lisa Casserly — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 13:01:12 -0400

In my opinion, YES it is a term of respect. YOU don't get to choose the name, don't get to demand to be called it. YOUR PEOPLE give it to you. Out of love and respect. What makes me - a personnel clerk - say that? I see the way THOSE MEN treat my daughter. She's a 69Whiskey, a combat medic. Yes, they call her Doc. And in her heart and mind, those men are HER MEN. Every, single one. The bond they share is closer than blood. They call her their Sister, their Doc. Their friend. She looked at me nervously in the hospital, afraid that I would be insulted, and asked if I minded. No, I don't. I understand that bond. I accept that, that sometimes life works out that way. They have been thru things together - training and experiences - that I cannot share, cannot have. And I am not the jealous type. So, they were deployed to Afghanistan, as you would probably expect. In the time she was there, she worked hard, and her men came to really respect her. And when the severe injuries started happening, they respected her MORE. And then, on 25 May 2013, when SHE was injured in an IED explosion, they worked their asses off to make sure she got to the hospital safely. They were devastated over her injuries. And... her people were there for us, her parents. When she arrived at Walter Reed, there was a seemingly endless parade of people coming to her room, coming to see her and check up on THEIR DOC. These were the men that she packed up and sent to the hospital, and their families. As she lay sleeping in a drug induced state, they hugged us, thanked us. It was touching and heartbreaking at the same time, to be thanked for saving the life of their son, their husband, their daddy. I will NEVER forget that. NEVER. As to the origin of the name... I'm not sure. In the lobby of Walter Reed (the new one) there is a bronze statue of "Doc"... Somewhere I have pictures of it. I remember that there was a placard near it, explaining the figures. And, I seem to remember that it was in memory of a particular someone, rather than a general tribute. My father in law was a Navy Corpsman thru WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam. And the people he worked with also called him Doc.

Response by SN Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2016 3:28 PM

SN Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 15:28:05 -0400

I call em doc cause they patch me up

Response by SN Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2016 3:28 PM

SN Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 15:28:26 -0400

I call em doc cause they patch me up

Response by SPC William Weedman made Sep 27 at 2016 4:30 PM

SPC William Weedman — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 16:30:59 -0400

I read years ago in the book "365 Days" by Dr. Ronald Glasser that grunts saw their medics as the town doctor who treated everyone and everything. In my 8 years, the best award I got was when I was temporarily assigned to the DMZ in Korea and assigned to a patrol team. They called me doc at first as they didn't know my name. After they realized the medic could shoot (qualified expert) and could run (I would have passed out before I fell out of the run) I became "Doc". It helped that I passed a pre patrol inspection carried out by the battalion commander, apparently the unit medics were not as ready. Before my assignment was up, the patrol leader had asked the PA if he could find a way to keep me.

Response by Sgt David Hutchinson made Sep 27 at 2016 6:15 PM

Sgt David Hutchinson — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 18:15:13 -0400

Corpsman in the Marine Corps have kept many a Devil dog alive to get to a college trained doctor to fix what is broken but our field corpsmen are the original ER Doc. And let me tell you, you don't mess with Doc, I saw a female Marine drop a 6'3" 280 lb man who tried to pick a fight with our Doc once

Response by TSgt George Rodriguez made Sep 27 at 2016 6:40 PM

TSgt George Rodriguez — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 18:40:10 -0400

As a medical corpsman I was given the opportunity to deploy with the Third Combat Communications group and the Base Security teams when the went on maneuvers stateside. Being the only medic servicing between 100 to 250 personnel, the term doc was used frequently when needed. When not deployed I was NCOIC of nursing education at the hospital.

Response by MAJ Mike Reisman made Sep 27 at 2016 10:47 PM

MAJ Mike Reisman — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 22:47:48 -0400

Just Call Me “Doc”

I can be found literally anywhere worldwide,

I wear an EMS logo and or a Red Cross with pride,

My title can be EMT, RN, NP or PA,

Providing frontline med support night or day.

Sometimes manning an ambulance or walking patrol,

As a medic, keeping all alive is my ultimate goal,

Armed with a med-bag, Kevlar and at times a Glock,

Always at the ready 24/7 prn, hey, just call me “Doc”.

Written by Mike “Major Dad” Reisman Major-Ret RN CS FNP

Dedicated and presented to all my sister and brother “Docs”

2016 A.D.

Response by COL Michael Freville made Sep 28 at 2016 7:55 AM

COL Michael Freville — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 07:55:05 -0400

I was Med Svc Corps in the Army 30 yrs. Retired O-6. I still consider a Combat Medic at a higher rank than I was. Angels on the Battlefield.

Response by GySgt Ed Gartland made Sep 28 at 2016 8:52 AM

GySgt Ed Gartland — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 08:52:51 -0400

A retired USN Senior Chief Corpsman lives near me. He spent most of his career with USMC units. He says his proudest day was the first time one of "his" Marines called him "Doc"!

Response by SGT Paul Briones made Sep 28 at 2016 2:48 PM

SGT Paul Briones — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 14:48:18 -0400

Medics are called "Docs" out of trust and respect from their peers. Meaning you would do everything humanly possible (risking your life) to save his/her on the battlefield or in a traumatic event.

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Oct 1 at 2016 12:13 PM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 12:13:40 -0400

You hit it right on as always Colonel. They were the only Docs that we knew in the field in Nam and thank God for them and many of us who did make it home back to the World was because of them and their unselfish and brave dedication! Thanks for the Post Brother!

Response by Cpl Robert Robertson made Oct 1 at 2016 5:51 PM

Cpl Robert Robertson — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 17:51:22 -0400

Marines call the Corpsman "doc" and I know that that goes back as far as WW ll

Response by MAJ Karen Wall made Oct 2 at 2016 10:55 AM

MAJ Karen Wall — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 10:55:17 -0400

"Doc" goes way back as a term of endearment, and respect, for anyone who was/is in a medical job taking care of the troops in combat. It mostly refers to the medics who were out in the field with their medical kits, and being the only source of medical care for a soldier wounded in the field away from the hospital where the actual Doctors were located. The medics had skills and scope of practice at times almost equal to the real doctors, so they were often called "Doc". In fact, many of these medics did go on to medical school to become actual physicians, or nurses. I did a stint TDY in Micronesia as the nurse for an Engineer unit doing work there and I provided medical care for the team and for all of the people on the island. I did everything from nursing to veterinarian, and so my nickname became "Doc" and I loved it! For a medic to be called "Doc" by his/her comrades is actually a compliment.

This is what I know from my history and experience in the medical field for many years.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2016 9:53 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 21:53:56 -0400

I don't have the slightest idea of where or when the term "Doc" was given to a "line medic/corpsman/airman". My experience is as follows...with 3 OIF deployments in 2003-2009, the term "Doc" is not used/given just because. It was a term earned through training, training & training with the scouts/grunts. Then add on the dismount missions, living in "the suck" & never expecting anything less than next the soldier/marine/airman.

Response by SPC Don Wynn made Oct 14 at 2016 5:50 PM

SPC Don Wynn — Fri, 14 Oct 2016 17:50:48 -0400

It had to have been during WW II, when medic/corpsmen were first assigned directly to combat units.

Response by PO1 Kevin Arnold made Oct 15 at 2016 5:07 PM

PO1 Kevin Arnold — Sat, 15 Oct 2016 17:07:36 -0400

For me I called our Corpsman Doc because that is who he was onboard. He is the only one that has the training and experience in the field. When you see a medic he will be always called a Doc. For they are the doctor in the field.

Response by Candy Alkaabi made Oct 15 at 2016 6:43 PM

Candy Alkaabi — Sat, 15 Oct 2016 18:43:19 -0400

I don't know but I do know that it was a title given in the old west and south to men (and latter women) of the profession out of respect. If they called someone "Doc" when referring you to them for medical needs it meant they held them in high regard! This may have crossed over to the military for the same reasons.

Response by Lt Col Scott Arnott made Oct 27 at 2016 11:41 AM

Lt Col Scott Arnott — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 11:41:00 -0400

From my experience, its a term of respect once a medic proves himself. Its certainly not (or wasn't) an automatic nickname but then again, I've been retired as an officer 22 years and haven't been a medic, especially in combat, since 1970 so, things may have changed. In Vietnam, it seemed like we were called by our rank or name until the guys were comfortable, then you were Doc. I was in the Air Force but served in Vietnam in MAC-V SOG so, there were one hell of a lot more Army guys than us AF pukes! In the Air Force, independent medics and pararescue medics were often called Doc but usually not the medics in base hospitals or similar situations. I don't know if the times have changed or not. Interesting question, brings back memories.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2016 8:08 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Nov 2016 20:08:39 -0500

started with Bugs Bunny...nyeh what's up Doc? seriously, I don't know, we always called FMF Corpsmen Doc, never met a Corpsmen that didn't do his best to take care of his/her Marines, no women Corpsmen when I retired except in garrison- at least not afloat - but they were also totally dedicated

Response by SPC Phil Norton made Nov 23 at 2016 3:45 PM

SPC Phil Norton — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 15:45:04 -0500

Being a medic means you can be attached to any type of unit. Being called Doc happens mainly in front line combat units. Men and women in these fields understand that you are there to keep them alive. Thus they seem to have more respect for the MOS. Now if you end up in a support battalion, then it's hey were the hell are the medics at we need gate guards. I must say as a medic the best assignment was infantry. The worst was Armor Tankers don't feel they will ever need a medic. I have been called Doc. Usually by squad sized groups. And I have heard the shout for medic in larger groups. Either way my job always remained the same. So that others may live.

Response by MAJ Alan Reiter made Dec 2 at 2016 5:30 PM

MAJ Alan Reiter — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 17:30:56 -0500

When I enlisted in late 1969, after completing basic training at Fort Polk, LA I was sent to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio TX and trained for ten weeks and was assigned MOS 91A10 Medical Corpsman. The men in the infantry battalion I was assigned to especially the platoon treated me like someone special. They called me "Doc" and it was said with great affection. I love being a medic but I decided to go to Officer Candidate School after three and a half years as an enlisted person and commissioned an Infantry Officer. I never stopped being proud of my years as a Combat Medic and the help I rendered to my Platoon members.

Response by LCpl Donald Faucett made Dec 2 at 2016 6:23 PM

LCpl Donald Faucett — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 18:23:45 -0500

Doc is a shorter word and easier to hear under fire. Coupled with great respect

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2016 12:04 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Dec 2016 00:04:47 -0500

Bugs Bunny.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2017 10:32 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Jan 2017 10:32:01 -0500

As a Retired Hospital Corpsman and Independent Duty Corpsman(IDC) I was and still am proud to be called Doc. The origins are long lost i believe but the fact that Doc is a sign of respect from the men I swore and oath to hep and save their lives is a wonderful thing. Almost 9 Years with the Marine Corps Infantry and 6 years with NSW I wore the title "Doc" very proudly and it is still my nick name in my afterlife.

Response by SPC David Hack made Jan 20 at 2017 11:05 AM

SPC David Hack — Fri, 20 Jan 2017 11:05:09 -0500

My last sixteen years in the service was spent as a medic and I got called 'Doc' a lot of the time by members of other units that I was assigned as a medic to, and I think the reason was that it was basically a term of respect.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Jan 20 at 2017 3:50 PM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Fri, 20 Jan 2017 15:50:14 -0500

It's a sign of respect.. some that are stuck on themself think it's disrespectful to them.. because they spent several years getting their pre-Med and final training .
They whine because medics are rushed through their training in short time and are being called "Doc" ..

Response by PO3 John Wagner made Jan 20 at 2017 4:47 PM

PO3 John Wagner — Fri, 20 Jan 2017 16:47:40 -0500

Anyone saving my or anyone else's life ...as a general rule not dispensing bandaids in combat situations...deserves. The doctors often get them later..they didn't make it to the operating table without the medic.

Response by SGT Anna Kleinschmidt made Jan 27 at 2017 9:15 AM

SGT Anna Kleinschmidt — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 09:15:33 -0500

I am guessing because we were there to take care of there medical needs.

Response by PO3 Bob Perry made Jan 28 at 2017 4:38 PM

PO3 Bob Perry — Sat, 28 Jan 2017 16:38:10 -0500

I served at Naval Hospital Guam 1966-67 and we used only the terms Corpsman or Medic. Mainly Corpsman! Very dedicated, friendly individuals.

Response by PFC Jim Mills made Jan 30 at 2017 9:57 AM

PFC Jim Mills — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 09:57:40 -0500

My great uncle was one of darbies rangers and he told me that's where he first heard it

Response by SGM Irvin Lyons Jr made Jan 30 at 2017 12:24 PM

SGM Irvin Lyons Jr — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 12:24:45 -0500

We in the army called our medics doc based on their knowledge and expertise on the battle field. Dont know origin.

Response by CPL Roy Tanner made Jan 30 at 2017 1:00 PM

CPL Roy Tanner — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 13:00:07 -0500

Military .com says the term originated in Vietnam. Also stated the term was used to describe a Pouge non-combatant Navy Corpsman treating Marines.

Where did the tradition of calling a Medic "Doc" originate from and is this common in all Service Branches?

Where did the tradition of calling a Medic "Doc" originate from and is this common in all Service Branches?

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