What are some tips, advice, and stories for a future combat medic?

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 21:24:48 -0500

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2019 9:34 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 21:34:43 -0500

Take the time to study, Whiskey school is like drinking water out of a fire hose if you’ve never done anything medical before. And even if you have, it can still be kind of stressful.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2019 9:50 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 21:50:21 -0500

I remember learning and testing on AHA CPR super early, and feeling unprepared for the hands on. I passed, and was eventually an honor grad, but some reading ahead might help, if you have the time/resources.
If not, SGT Leonard is absolutely correct, take the time to study, don’t get caught up in trying to go out or party as soon as you’re allowed; there is plenty of time for that after school. Learn your job well.
I was a flight medic and PSG on my last tour in Afghanistan, and I was picking up a patient one day from a young Soldier Medic who was only a month out of FT. Sam. It’s rare, but work hard in school, a lot of people are really depending on your skills. Don’t let them down.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Feb 8 at 2019 10:13 AM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 10:13:53 -0500

PVT Private RallyPoint Member - Some friendly advice from a field Paramedic... Learn everything you can to the best of your ability. In the back of an ambulance (or out in the field/combat zone/hostile area/etc) your certificates don't mean jack. Only your knowledge and skill will stand between your patient and Death.

Also there are two rules any medic needs to understand:
1. Sometimes despite our best effort, the patient will still pass away.
2. Medics will move Heaven and Earth to change Rule #1.

I have lost patients that should have walked out of the ER later that day. It happens. No one can explain it, and no one did anything wrong. Some times it is just that patient's time. Learn to accept it and press forward.

Never, NEVER be afraid to tell someone you are struggling. Be it with a skill, a concept, or dealing with the amount of death and injury you see every day. We all have our breaking point. Learn to know where yours is and seek assistance as needed.

Response by SFC David Bentley made Feb 8 at 2019 12:13 PM

SFC David Bentley — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 12:13:04 -0500

The best advice I can give is remember that some of the casualties you treat will die no matter what. Some will live so matter how bad you screw up. Be a Medic that can make the difference between life and death. Remember as a combat medic your special to the grunts in your platoon. Remember as a combat medic your not special to anyone and you need to pull your own weight.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2019 12:57 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 12:57:41 -0500

Get the Kaplan, Mosby or AAOS NREMT-EMT study guide and an Anatomy and Physiology "coloring book" and work through all of it. Don't forget you are first and foremost a Soldier, Soldier Medic.

Response by SSG Dave Johnston made Feb 8 at 2019 6:17 PM

SSG Dave Johnston — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 18:17:37 -0500

Get a Merck Manual, a NAVEDTRA 10669-B, and an Emergency Care Handbook ISBN: 0-916730-99-9. They're what I used to enhance my knowledgebase while I was in. Go overseas, Europe, Korea, submit a DA 4187 requesting overseas assignment. Your units BN Surgeon or the Dispensaries Medical personnel your assigned too will teach you a lot that you won't get stateside, so learn what knowledge they're willing to impart.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2019 7:39 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Feb 2019 19:39:51 -0500

Study study study. Briefly remove yourself from social media and the digital world. I love my xbox and fb etc but like others said before me, it's like taking sips from a fire hydrant. Main focus be your NREMT-B. The tc3 portion of the course is fun. Sit back, study, and have fun.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2019 8:43 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Feb 2019 20:43:30 -0500

Medicine is basically building blocks. What you learn in AIT is the basic foundation of which you will build knowledge and skill sets onto. Being a line medic is cool and all but it’s only one thing - if you want to actually be a good medic you need to be good at a lot of things and not hesitate to learn things inside and outside your job description. Supply, motor pool, etc. you will need to be at least familiar with other sections so that you can assist them or do their job if need be, just as you will need to teach others your life saving skills.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2019 8:12 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 08:12:52 -0500

Study, study and oh yeah... STUDY. You will be learning a ton at AIT. You will learn everything from trauma to treating K9s. It's a ton to soak in but it's doable. Like the adage goes; How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. The curriculum is built so it builds off the day before. Study and learn your craft. When you get to your first duty assignment we NCOs know where you are at coming out of AIT and it is our job to mold and mentor you. Any studying you can do ahead of time will pay off. I made money at AIT pulling firewatch for people and using that time to hit the books. Reach out for any further guidance, we are here for you. Also be mentally prepared, I've been there for the highs in peoples lives delivering babies and I've had people die as i'm treating them. Don't be afraid to talk to someone.

Response by SSG Phillip Trezza made Feb 20 at 2019 10:30 AM

SSG Phillip Trezza — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 10:30:39 -0500

Good question PVT Reed,
I echo much of the advice here and would add that there is one thing that differentiates good medics from great ones... especially in combat... and that is the ability to keep calm. You will be put in tough situations, and your ability to quickly but smoothly pause, take a breath, evaluate the situation, and trust your training is key. When in doubt or if you lose yourself in a hectic moment, take a breath and think ABC and head to toe. Always bring yourself back to ABC and head to toe. Train on your assessments and table 8's until it is automatic, because in intense situations, you will be able to recall that training easily if it is engrained into your brain and muscle memory. You have little time to think in emergency situations so the more that comes automatically the better.
Bottom line up front: train and train and train, and when things get crazy, take a breath and trust your training.