BRAVO ZULU!!!
Posted on 02/01/2006 5:54:06 PM PST by Former Military Chick
WASHINGTON — Marine medics in Iraq are more likely to face serious injury or death than are the riflemen they’re working to help, according to the assistant commandant.
Gen. Robert Magnus said Tuesday that statistics from Corps health officials show that the job of the combat medic, or Navy corpsman, is among the most dangerous in the war, in large part because of the situations they put themselves in.
“They’re literally moving in and moving out of the fight to get to their patients,” he said. “They’re among the first to go into battle, and they’re right in the middle of it.”
Magnus’ comments came at the Defense Department’s annual conference on military health care, which brings together top civilian and military medical officials for four days of discussions on the achievements and shortfalls of the system.
In a speech before the 3,000 attendees, he called military medics “a standard of bravery and heroism.”
“For the young men and women who wear the uniform, there is no finer (health care) system for them while they are on active duty,” he said.
Magnus could not provide specific statistics on the number of corpsmen killed in Iraq, but said that they historically have had high casualty rates in combat.
What makes Iraq different from past military actions is the open nature of the war, he said, with injuries occurring in traditionally safe zones as well as the front lines. That means more work and more danger for medics in every aspect of their mission.
Magnus said the vehicles used by corpsmen typically have lighter armor than their infantry counterparts, to allow for quicker movement and response to wounded troops. That has added to their danger in Iraq, because of the insurgents’ use of roadside bombs, or improvised explosive devices.
But the assistant commandant said the medics provide an invaluable service, not only in treating injuries of U.S. servicemembers but also in providing care to Iraqi soldiers and civilians.
“The same standard of care is given to all patients, and they’re doing tremendous work across the coalition,” he said. “It’s more than just the care they give. It’s also the caring.”
© 2006 Stars and Stripes. All Rights Reserved.
And a special thank you to the medics and medevacs. God bless 'em.
No such animal as a Marine medic. damn........
Let us tell the truth, without the Girls and Guys of our Armed Forces, this nation doesn't exist. Thank You, to the US Armed Forces.
As an ex squid I need to make a small correction... the Marines have no medics. They are U.S. Navy Corpsmen. :-)
We are so proud of you men. Don't think it doesn't matter to us.
Ah the media... they never get it right. That's ok, I enjoyed my years with Marines - every award that counted I earned while serving with US Marines. I remember a formation in 29 Palms while we were working on our SOC quals for deployment and the Colonel told us we Marines were doing a great job. We passed it up the chain that the Navy Corpsmen were making sure every Marine was going to make it - he corrected himself next time.
Almost makes me wish I was still out there.
HMC (FMF) USN, Retired - 1979 to 1999
BRAVO ZULU!!!
Oooh oooh, can I throw my Navy Corpsman 2 cents in too??!!
Naw.....real Corpsman don't give a rats ass if the media can't get it straight, and neither do real Marines, we all know the deal and just keep doing our jobs. So Semper Fi to all you Marines I threw Band-aids on, and Well Done to all my brothers and sisters who served as Navy Corpsmen. You are the best! Same goes for all you Army & Air Force Medics, and the Corpsmen of the Coast Guard!
There are no Marine medics ... they're called Navy corpsman attached to Marine units. Anyone with a clue knows that ... especially Marines.
"So Semper Fi to all you Marines I threw Band-aids on, and Well Done to all my brothers and sisters who served as Navy Corpsmen. You are the best! Same goes for all you Army & Air Force Medics, and the Corpsmen of the Coast Guard!
Thank you for your service, docman57. I had a Corpsman by the name of Doc Mullaney attached to my unit. That damned guy jumped up more times when "Corpsman Up" was shouted out and never got hit with lead flying all around us. I will never forget his low key bravery and dedication to duty and the Marines he supported. One outstanding SOB.
Semper Fi
Yes, and Marines believe them to be the bravest of the brave!
..CORPSMAN UP....Marines and one Corpsman raise flag on Iwo Jima
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