How were combat medics assigned to their divisions?

How did they pick medics in ww2?

Medics were sometimes chosen for their medical expertise; more often they had to be trained from scratch. Some were conscientious objectors who opposed the taking of life and were assigned this role as an alternative to a combat role.

What were combat medics called?

You may hear these solders called medic, corpsman, doc, or combat medic as all are used interchangeably depending on the service. Also, the roles of medical professionals in the military will vary.

Are combat medics targeted in war?

According to the Geneva Convention, knowingly firing at a medic wearing clear insignia is a war crime. In modern times, most combat medics carry a personal weapon, to be used to protect themselves and the wounded or sick in their care.

Where do combat medics get stationed?

Field/combat medics usually work in hospitals and clinics on land or aboard ships. Medical emergency technicians may give emergency medical treatment in the field.

Would the Germans shoot medics?

The Germans were pretty good about not shooting at medics,” he said. “There were several times they could have shot me, and they didn’t.” At times, the battle raged so close that the building shook violently, blowing out the windows.

Is killing a medic a war crime?

In Real Life war, medics are supposed to be special: The Laws and Customs of War, specifically the Geneva Convention, dictate that medical personnel are non-combatants and they’re not allowed to attack you; shooting one (or vice versa) is a serious war crime. So is impersonating one so that the enemy won’t shoot you.

Why do they call a combat medic 68 Whiskey?

Why “whiskey,” you ask? Although the position is typically listed as “68W,” the Army will say “68 Whiskey” because it follows the NATO phonetic alphabet. The alphabet also includes “Alfa, Bravo, Charlie, Delta,” which simply means “A,B,C,D.”

What does 68 Whiskey mean in the military?

combat medic specialist

The combat medic specialist, or 68 Whiskey, provides emergency medical treatment at the point of injury on the battlefield and at every stage of the treatment process. Medics provide assistance to Army doctors in medical treatment facilities and in the field.

What is the rank of a combat medic?

With time, accomplishment and ability, medics can rise up through the ranks to E-4 (specialist/corporal), E-5 (sergeant), E-6 (staff sergeant) and E-7 (sergeant first class). Another big — and quite rare — step up is to E-8 (master sergeant). The highest pay grade is E-9 (sergeant major).

Can you shoot retreating soldiers?

The US Operational Law Handbook (1993) prohibits the “killing or wounding of enemy who have surrendered or are incapacitated and incapable of resistance”.

Can combat medics fight?

Yes, they do. While medics historically didn’t carry weapons, today’s combat medics are not only trained to fight, but are allowed to defend themselves if they come under attack, usually at short range and usually in response to a surprise attack while attending to or evacuating a wounded patient.

Do Army medics treat the enemy?

The book answer is to engage the enemies, stopping them from hurting more soldiers or further injuring the current casualties. Despite this, Army medics will sometimes decide to do “care under fire,” where they treat patients while bullets are still coming at them.

What is 31 Bravo in the Army?

Army Military Police (MOS 31B) provide protection to the people and property on Army installations. These individuals enforce laws and regulations and perform basic police functions. This entry-level position requires individuals to respond to emergencies in both on-base and in deployment scenarios.

What MOS has the longest AIT?

The length of AIT training varies depending on the MOS and can last anywhere from three weeks to nearly two years. The current longest AIT training lasts 84 weeks (1-year and 8 months).
AIT schools

  • Field Artillery Center at Fort Sill, Lawton, Oklahoma.
  • Finance Corps School at Fort Jackson, Columbia, South Carolina.

When did 91B change to 68W?

October 1, 2006

When Did 91B Change To 68W? On October 1, 2006, the Army changed the basic medical MOS to 68W, which will be utilized by all medical personnel. Both MOSs were used during and after the Vietnam War. They used the MOS codes 91W (91 Whiskey), 91B (91 Bravo) and 91A (91 Alpha).

Did they target medics in ww2?

In the Pacific theatre, there was no example of niceties from both sides. Both US and Japan considered anything from the enemy side a legitimate target and often medics and war journalists got the bullet.

Did medics in ww2 carry guns?

As a result, many aid men discontinued the wear of the Red Cross markings, and began to carry weapons to defend themselves and their patients. This has carried over to modern times; US combat medics carry weapons to defend themselves and their patients.

Who was the best medic in ww2?

Desmond Thomas Doss (February 7, 1919 – March 23, 2006) was a United States Army corporal who served as a combat medic with an infantry company in World War II. He was twice awarded the Bronze Star Medal for actions in Guam and the Philippines.

Desmond Doss
Relations Harold Doss

Do combat medics have ranks?

With time, accomplishment and ability, medics can rise up through the ranks to E-4 (specialist/corporal), E-5 (sergeant), E-6 (staff sergeant) and E-7 (sergeant first class). Another big — and quite rare — step up is to E-8 (master sergeant). The highest pay grade is E-9 (sergeant major).

Why do they call a combat medic 68 Whiskey?

Why “whiskey,” you ask? Although the position is typically listed as “68W,” the Army will say “68 Whiskey” because it follows the NATO phonetic alphabet. The alphabet also includes “Alfa, Bravo, Charlie, Delta,” which simply means “A,B,C,D.”

What is a 68 Whiskey in the military?

The combat medic specialist, or 68 Whiskey, provides emergency medical treatment at the point of injury on the battlefield and at every stage of the treatment process. Medics provide assistance to Army doctors in medical treatment facilities and in the field.

How many medics are in a platoon?

one combat medic

Combat medics are allocated to the Infantry companies on the basis of one combat medic per platoon, and one senior combat medic per company. The location of the combat medic is of extreme importance for rapid medical treatment of casualties. 7-7.

Do combat medics carry rifles?

Therefore, the Medic carries basically what a Rifleman or any other soldier carries. The basic equipment of a US Army medic usually consists of: An M4 rifle and/or an M17/M18 Modular Handgun System. A MOLLE Vest with a full “combat load,” being (most often) 210 rounds for the M-4/M-16 rifle.

Are Navy corpsman armed?

According to the Geneva Conventions, any doctors, medics, nurses, or corpsmen are not supposed to carry weapons, and must display a red cross insignia on their person or helmet to show they are a noncombatant.

Do Marines have combat medics?

The Marine Corps does not have medics, but as a department of the Navy, the Navy sends us those who have the cajones to enter the fires of combat.

Can a combat medic become a Ranger?

Army combat medics: Army combat medics (68W) who also have completed Army Basic Airborne Course and Ranger Assessment and Selection Program (RASP) and become members of Ranger Battalions will attend SOCM.

Do Army Rangers have medics?

The Ranger medic is a capable special operations tactical medi. c. 91B) is the tactical medical provider for the 75th Ranger Regiment, theu.

Do Marines respect Corpsman?

1. Marines love good Navy Corpsman. We get treated like a little brother or something. They are super protective of us, IF we are good Corpsman.

What is a Navy Devil Doc?

United States Navy Corpsmen, who deploy with the Marines will find themselves on patrol, moving from house to house in urban warfare, and grunting it out with the Marines they swore to protect. As a result, Marines often lend the hard-earned title of Devil Dog to their beloved Corpsman by calling them Devil Docs.

Can Navy corpsman wear Marine uniforms?

Navy personnel assigned to Marine Corps units may wear Marine Corps uniforms on temporary additional duty. Wear the Marine Corps service and utility uniforms, including insignia, following Marine Corps Uniform Regulations.

Do Corpsman carry rifles?

Corpsmen carry rifles and participate in training just as Marines do,” said Rossetti, a Willowbrook, Illinois, native. “When corpsmen attach to Marine units in the field, they get more specific experience and training with line companies and infantry assets.

Can corpsman call themselves Marines?

After serving with a Marine unit, Navy Hospital Corps service members can test and earn a special pin and the designation of Fleet Marine Force, as well as the honor to call themselves a Marine.

Can a Navy corpsman go to Marine sniper school?

Students who attend the course are usually infantryman. However, occasionally, a radio operator or Navy Hospital corpsman with a sniper platoon will attend in order to operate with the team.

Can corpsman be snipers?

And one of the first rules of medicine I learned is that sometimes the best thing you can do for your patients is suppress fire. It’ll depend on the circumstances what exactly my role will be.” Espiritu estimates he is one of only five Navy corpsmen among 250 active Marine Corps snipers.

What is 0321 in the USMC?

0321 USMC is a military occupational specialty code (MOS) in the United States Marine Corps. Specifically, it represents Marines in the Marine reconnaissance (recon) specialty.

What rank is a Marine sniper?

Ordinarily, to become a Marine sniper you must reach at least the rank of Lance Corporal (E-3), and be no higher than the rank of Sergeant (E-5).