Combat medic

A combat medic is a trained soldier who is responsible for providing first aid and frontline trauma care on the battlefield.

Related Topics:
First aid - Trauma care

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Combat medics are officially known by a variety of names. In the United States Army, medics have often been called 91Ws since 1999. In the United States Navy, they are known as Corpsmen and fill the combat medic role of the United States Marine Corps, which has no native medical personnel. Combat Medical Technicians (CMTs) in the British Army are members of the Royal Army Medical Corps.

Related Topics:
United States Army - 91W - United States Navy - Corpsmen - United States Marine Corps - Combat Medical Technician - British Army - Royal Army Medical Corps

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In most armies, medics wear specific insignia, with a prominent Red Cross on a white background. Islamic countries use a red crescent instead. These two symbols signify to enemy soldiers that the medic is a noncombatant, providing medical care. However, many medics now carry at least a sidearm (and frequently a rifle) for the defense of their patients and themselves. According to the Geneva Conventions, knowingly firing at an unarmed medic wearing clear insignia is a war crime. Medical personnel may be armed, but may only use their arms to protect themselves or the wounded or sick in their care. If they use their arms offensively, or carry arms that qualify as offensive, then they sacrifice their protection under the Geneva Conventions.

Related Topics:
Red Cross - Islam - Noncombatant - Sidearm - Rifle - Geneva Convention - War crime

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Interestingly enough, during World War 2, before the implementation of the 1949 revision to the Geneva Convention made it illegal, there was an unwritten law of ethics between Allied and Nazi forces whereby soldiers wouldn't knowingly fire at a medic treating a wounded comrade. This was in stark contrast to the policy of the Japanese forces, who regarded medics as primary targets.

Related Topics:
World War 2 - Ethics - Allied - Nazi

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~