How many of you combat arms people have come across what you felt were incompetent medics (68W)?

SSG Paul Forel — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 16:10:07 -0500

There are two NCO's here at RP who claim that largely speaking, medics (68W) are deficient in the performance of their MOS.

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/do-you-prepare-your-medics-we-are-nothing-on-the-civilian-side?urlhash=1155159

Neither of these two NCO's have any documentation or copies of AAR's to ground their assertions in spite of their insistence that most medics are, according to them, not proficient in the execution of their MOS.

What has been your experience in this regard?

Please keep in mind I am not referring to breakdowns in the healthcare system, hang up's with the VA or slow or non-existent support from military healthcare professionals in the echelons above the ranks of the 68W.

This is not supposed to be a bitch session about the system- I am asking for your input specifically with regard to one-on-one experiences with 68W medics. Thank You.

In particular, how many of you in combat arms have encountered a deficient medic in the combat theater?

Do you prepare your medics? We are nothing on the civilian side. | RallyPoint

This is something I constantly preach to the young medics I meet working in my hospital or clinics. Army medics and Navy corpsman are extremely qualified and experienced. Far above what our civilian crossover scope of practice is, and I believe it is an injustice by the army not to recognize this. There used to be chatter from NREMT and the mothership back at fort Sam to have us fall into our own qualification category of EMT to properly...

Response by Cpl Shane Cunningham made Dec 6 at 2015 4:14 PM

Cpl Shane Cunningham — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 16:14:00 -0500

Happens all the time! It took almost 2 years to get surgery on my arm when I was literally useless to the Corps.

Response by CSM Michael Chavaree made Dec 6 at 2015 4:54 PM

CSM Michael Chavaree — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 16:54:30 -0500

I am one of the NCOs that are mentioned in this discussion, I made several comments on what I have personally seen from my foxhole. The OP questions my experience as a "combat medic". Do not get this confused, we have some extremely talented medics in our ranks, however as a whole I think we could do better as far as life after the military as per the original post was in regards to medics only being EMT-B when they transition out. Currently there is little to no incentive to grow your skills, promotions do not focus on technical ability so the emphasis is just not there.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Dec 6 at 2015 7:49 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 19:49:21 -0500

SSG Paul Forel I have never been treated by an incompetent medic. However in 1988 I was diagnosed by an MD from a PRIMUS clinic off Fort Benning with pneumonia and pleurisy. I was put of medicines and lost 30 pounds in a week and it turned out that I actually had Shingles and a prostate infection. The doctors were initially confused because I alternated between temperatures which ranged from 96 to 103.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2015 8:14 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 20:14:20 -0500

I have seen both sides of the spectrum. There are some medics that are great and saved many lives. and there are some that well they found a nice home behind a desk.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Dec 6 at 2015 8:16 PM

CPT Ahmed Faried — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 20:16:09 -0500

Most medics I've come across have been S**t hot when it comes to their job. But I'm sure there are some bad ones out there as there are in every job.

Response by 1SG Paul DeStout made Dec 7 at 2015 10:39 AM

1SG Paul DeStout — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 10:39:41 -0500

The issue with your question is that their is not real standard to measure a medics knowledge of the MOS. What should a medic know and be proficient at? I find that a medic will be defined by the first unit they go to. There is a difference between combat arm medics, support medics, and MEDDAC medics. There knowledge base is different how they judge themselves and other medics are different and their definition of a good medic is different.

I had a very high standard for my medics and ensured that I gave them knowledge that was probably well above what an average medic knows. I have seen medics that had the knowledge and skill set that rivaled the PA's and others that could perform no more then a glorified EMT-B/Combat Lifesaver. I have also seen medics who thought they knew more than they did and where probably dangerous to their patients.

I have my definition of what a good medic is but my definition will be different that others. I also asked my new medics what was the difference between them and a combat lifesaver. Combat lifesavers can stop bleeding, open airway, insert simple airway adjunct, decompress chest and at the time insert IV/IO, splint limbs and evac. So I would ask them what they could do that separated them from the combat lifesaver? I usually got blank stares or they would say sick-call.

Response by SPC William Weedman made Dec 16 at 2015 5:10 AM

SPC William Weedman — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 05:10:56 -0500

It depends on what competencies the combat arms are looking for. In 1989 I was in a Medical Company with a mission of DMZ support in Korea. Out unit was asked to send up some medics to support an infantry company while their medics took on the EFMB. I was one of the "lucky" ones, our PSG actually chose the guys he knew were good at our jobs with the exception of an E-4 who truly wore a Sham Shield. The grunts had no idea who I was & I didn't know them so they tested me. Day 1 time to re-zero weapons and qualify, I re-zeroed and shot Expert (36/40) one of the grunts asked me if I was interested in sniper school. Day 2 we went for a "little run" which was going to be until the medic quit. I didn't quit although it was the longest run I had been on since basic. After they found out "doc" could shoot and didn't quit, they called me Doc. We spent the next few days preparing to patrol, patrolling, and setting up an night ambush. When I was about to depart, they asked me if I was interested in staying. The reason: the "medic" they had could barely qualify with his rifle and refused to go on runs with them; they figured if I had soldiering skills I had medical skills (which I did, sent 1 or 2 to sick call when I was there, no issues on patrol). Talking to other veterans of combat arms, medics were all or nothing, competent or incompetent, there was no in between.