Excerpts from the Hospital Corpsman 3 & 2, NAVEDTRA 10669-C

Hospital Corpsmen Following Years

Since the fall of Saigon in April 1975, hospital corpsmen continue to serve in the many "hot spots" around the world. Fifteen hospital corpsmen were killed in the line of duty when the Marine Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, was bombed and destroyed by terrorists. Hospital corpsmen were present at sea and ashore when the United States took Military action in Grenada.

Today's hospital corpsmen perform as assistants in the prevention and treatment of disease and injury. They assist with physical examinations, provide patient care, and administer medicines. They perform general laboratory, pharmacy, and other patient support services. They assist in the administrative, supply, and accounting procedures within medical departments ashore, afloat, and with Marine Corps. They instruct medical and non-medical personnel in first aid, self-aid, personal hygiene, and medical records maintenance. They assist in the maintenance of environmental health standards, and they are prepared to assist in the prevention and treatment of CBR casualties and in the transportation of sick and injured. Senior hospital corpsmen perform technical planning and management functions in support of medical readiness and quality health care delivery. In addition to their general assignments, hospital corpsmen trained as technicians perform specialized functions within the operational forces, clinical specialties, and administrative department, and they may be assigned duties independent of a medical officer.

These complex duties require that each hospital corpsman have broad-based training and versatility neither demanded nor expected of other enlisted rating in the Navy.

Wherever you find the Navy, Wherever you find the Marine Corps, there you will find the Navy hospital corpsman. In times of peace, he or she toils increasingly, day and night, providing quality care to numerous beneficiaries. In times of war, he is on t beaches with the Marines, employed in amphibious operations, in transportation of wounded by air, on the battlefield, and on all types of ships, submarines, aircraft carriers, and landing craft. In-short, wherever medical services may be required, the hospital corpsman is there, not only willing but prepared to serve his country and his fellow man above and beyond the call of duty.