Secondary Trauma among Medics and Corpsmen

The Role of a Combat Medic While not Deployed or While on Forward Operating Base during Deployments

A combat medic is always operating within one of two primary areas of function: deployed at war and not deployed (at a U.S. base or installation). The general role of a combat medic serving in either of these two functional areas is quite simple: to preserve the fighting forces and save lives (including enemy combatants). While working in the United States (or U.S. installations overseas), combat medics are tasked with supporting the day-to-day medical operations in troop medical clinics or larger military hospitals as well as conducting training and support for all military exercises under the unit to which they are assigned. Although this day-to-day work includes treatment of all of the more common minor ailments and medical emergencies faced in the civilian hospitals, it at times requires many of the medics to have regular interaction with war casualties. These types of injuries include traumatic brain [Page 598]injury, amputations, severe burns, and other trauma of all types. The intensity of this type of scenario is equivalent to that experienced by senior trauma surgeons at major U.S. hospitals though they may be part of a daily routine for a young combat medic.

While in a deployed environment and upon completion of the last mission, a combat medic returns to the operating base with the rest of the unit for some much needed rest from the tolls of the recent engagements. The unit focuses on rest and recuperation while preparing for its next engagement. In this (comparatively calm) environment of nondirect combat, the goal is to focus on restorative measures such as sleep, hygiene, nutrition, and so forth. For the medic, the first order of business upon return is caring for the wounded. This individual continues to be exposed to the mission's casualties as well as supporting the medical needs of other injuries sustained within the unit. This often requires an additional level of sacrifice that must be completed before any personal rest or recuperation.

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