Who is technically in charge of the Medics attached to a line unit?

2020-03-17T03:02:53-04:00

Do they technically belong to the HHQ that is lending them? I'm a Senior Medic at a Line Troop, and my rater is my 1SG, but he has me taking all orders from the HQ PSG. The junior medics (both SPC) report to and receive instructions from their PSG's (meaning I hardly see them), though I'm expected to counsel them.
It is my understanding that I am attached to the Troop to work WITH the 1SG, FOR the benefit of the troop, and that the 2 other assigned SPC should fall under me and be tasked out to the PLT's. Am I wrong?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2020 3:28 AM

2020-03-17T03:28:14-04:00

So being a senior is a weird position bc yes ideally the 1SG will rate you bc you “work” for him, however the Med PSG is still responsible for your training and what you do medically so he will have a say. What I’ve found that works for me is I sit down with my seniors at least once a week and make sure I also communicate with the 1SGs to make sure we are all on the same page. I don’t task the seniors unless it’s related to their troops directly like SRP or shot rodeos. So for you the 1SG will write it, however you’ll want the MED PSG to have input so it doesn’t read like an NCOER for 11B SGT.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2020 5:06 AM

2020-03-17T05:06:06-04:00

This is always a fun issue because each unit will do it differently. Jeres an article tjat might help.
https://www.army.mil/article/203331/the_challenging_world_of_command_and_support_relationships

The challenging world of command and support relationships

Clear command and support relationships establish responsibilities and authorities between subordinate and supporting units and allow commanders to effectively organize their forces.

Response by 1SG John Highfill made Mar 17 at 2020 7:04 AM

2020-03-17T07:04:20-04:00

The commander and 1SG are in charge of all soldiers assigned

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2020 8:15 AM

2020-03-17T08:15:46-04:00

ADCON vs OPCON.....

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2020 8:17 AM

2020-03-17T08:17:03-04:00

Technically medics belong to the HHQ as it is an organic Platoon within your Squadron. Line medics are a section within the platoon and are usually taken care of my their line company or as you say troop. To awnser your question, you are the Senior Medic for your line company and those other line medics usually belong to their platoons and Line PSg.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2020 9:15 AM

2020-03-17T09:15:51-04:00

Depends on your MTOE, but if you have an HQ PSG, I would say the Section Sergeants work for him. Commo, cooks, medics, etc. Some First Sergeants will want to rate the Section Sergeants, so rating scheme does not necessarily equal accountability or Chain-of-Command.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2020 11:32 AM

2020-03-17T11:32:18-04:00

Can't speak to medical, but in MC it depended on whether you were in GS, DS, or attached to a unit while supporting them. You may be filling a T/O billet that keeps you in HQ. Fair question, but they make the rules.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 17 at 2020 1:30 PM

2020-03-17T13:30:57-04:00

Are you assigned, attached on orders, operational command (OPCOM), or administrative control (ADVON) to the line unit? Is there a memorandum of agreement or memorandum of understanding between the line unit and HHC on the relationship. Start there.

If you are rated by the 1SG, then he is in a,position to direct you. If he wants you to report the HQ PSG for missions and taskings or Barney the Purple Dinosaur, as long as it is not illegal, immoral, dangerous, or just plain stupid, you do it.

I would have the discussion that for technical supervision you, as the senior medic present and an NCO, should be directing the medics.

Response by CSM Danny S. made Mar 18 at 2020 3:28 PM

2020-03-18T15:28:29-04:00

In my unit all the medics belong to HHB and are tasked out to support Btry activities. I'm FA and the ATP 3-09.06 states that I directly supervise the combat medics. However I would have you report to one of the PLT SGTs as well. My days are full of meetings, paperwork, and putting out fires. You could talk to the 1SG and see why he is splitting you up. That may not go well depending on the 1SG, but he/she may see you as 3 E4s that need day to day supervision. As for the capital WITH, the 1SG works FOR the CDR, the LTs work WITH the 1SG, everyone else works FOR the 1SG.

Response by 1SG Steven Kirkman made Mar 20 at 2020 11:50 AM

2020-03-20T11:50:30-04:00

I was in the ANG and we sometimes operate a little differntly than the Regular Army but medics from the HQ were assigned to my unit for weekend drills and AT periods. During these times they worked for me and took direction from me, however their training and admin was handled by the HQs. However when we were deployed to afghanistan I handled everything cocerning them just like all my other soldiers.

Response by SPC James Ford made Mar 21 at 2020 2:20 AM

2020-03-21T02:20:24-04:00

Depends. Every unit is different on who's in charge of members of the medic section and how much leeway is given to the medical NCOIC in terms of personnel. When I was in, my NCOIC was often the medic that filled the billet for medical NCOIC, but we worked hand-in-hand with our PA and RN if we were attached to the aid station. Typically, we were assigned directly to HHC/HHT then tasked out regularly to different sections (mortars, snipers, scouts, fisters, line companies) unless a certain section/company requested us personally. I generally liked being in the field and with the mortar section, so as a senior medic, I was often granted my choice of tasking.

Overseas, I was assigned first to the PSD/Security Forces section then reassigned to HQ, and we rotated medics between combat patrols and BAS duty so that we could continuously train when we weren't on mission.

Technically, all SMs in a company answer to the NCOIC and OIC of said company, and they delegate how much or how little authority is given to someone junior to them. It's always good to suggest what's best for your Soldiers in terms of training and tasking, but ultimately, the blessing of that autonomy rests with senior leadership (although in my experience, if you have good reason for everything you do, command will rarely, if ever, interfere if it does not hinder the mission.)

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2020 12:10 AM

2020-04-06T00:10:09-04:00

I’ve been in similar situations myself, being a medic supporting a unit can spread out the medics, but as 68W we have special circumstances and training and the 1SG’s don’t always understand that, so you’ll often find yourself having more than one supervisor, most of my career was like that. Your junior medics need you for leadership and mentoring even though they are assigned to other platoons...