I'm guessing others have seen the message and taken the time to read the new tactical medical manual. If not, I highly recommend it. Does anyone else think it's a little ridiculous for the CG to have such a manual or tactical IDHS designation? It seems to me that we're hoping to play junior FMF Navy corpsman. Is that really needed in the CG? I just hope we don't half-ass the training and take advantage of the programs already available within the DOD.
I'm pretty sure we are sending our IDHS through the DOD schools, if you have any questions give HS1 Burkholder in DC a call and I'm sure he can fill you in with any info you need/want.
The new manual is just a basic format. If you read it, there really isn't much to it. I'm sure there will be more forthcoming.
CG isn't going to allow some DoD schools to count (been told that by the powers). Seems there is a desire to have a "plankowner" status to what THEY will approve. This creates training/skills issues down the road.
No stock issue of CLS/TCCC kits to the units. No direction as to how to obtain/who will fund the gear.
Yes. Reinventing the wheel. But that's all about management, NOT the folks that have been working hard to get this off the ground, BZ to them.
Originally posted by 14626317: I'm guessing others have seen the message and taken the time to read the new tactical medical manual. If not, I highly recommend it. Does anyone else think it's a little ridiculous for the CG to have such a manual or tactical IDHS designation? It seems to me that we're hoping to play junior FMF Navy corpsman. Is that really needed in the CG? I just hope we don't half-ass the training and take advantage of the programs already available within the DOD.
First let me say I wish I knew who I am talking to. With that said, it is very much needed. It is a start in the right direction. An MSST / DOG HSAL is in the works. We need direction on how to train our IDHS's going to these units, and this helps us at the school alot. HSCS Royes is the lead on this thing. If you want answers he is always available and eager to answer any questions anyone may have. He pretty much wrote this thing by himself.
We are getting better with the schools we are sending our IDHS's to, TCCC, OEM; things I thought we as the CG would never ever get a chance to go to, let alone be deploying and doing operations WITH DOD that we as a service would ever think we would be doing. Give it a chance. There are great folks at HQ (DOG) doing good things and are really looking out for our guys.
I thought my profile was updated, but apprently not for this military.com profile. My name is Curt Munsey, I'm an HS2 assigned to Baltimore Yard clinic.
I definitely don't have a problem with the folks that have worked hard to put this type of program together, I just hope we don't go off in the wrong direction with this thing. I do think that these are some lofty goals for a fairly small HS population that is assigned to the tactical units described in the manual. Why not make TCCC a mandatory HS qualification? That would make everyone within the rate deployable with the DOG units, as long as the physical fitness standards can be met, which is a whole other issue that will need to be dealt with. I just want the program to work work as best as it can. And don't get me wrong, I'm sure I'll be looking at a DOG unit when it comes time to transfer. If done right this could be an alternative to getting out of the CG and transferring to the Navy to become an FMF HM.
The big picture theory is, once you are at an MSST or DOG unit, you are stuck doing that type of work until you get out. Why pay all this money to train you and then transfer you 4 years later to do something completely else. They are taking baby steps, but once it grows and they get the experience under their belts as to what works and what doesn't, we are going to be looking real good.
When am I going to see you at IDHS School? The first step before anything else can happen. Good luck in all you do.
Originally posted by 14626317: Why not make TCCC a mandatory HS qualification? That would make everyone within the rate deployable with the DOG units, as long as the physical fitness standards can be met, which is a whole other issue that will need to be dealt with.
Because not every HS wants to do TacMed or FMF stuff... Not every HS wants to be Johnny Gage/EMS guru. As HSC K. says above, IDHS is the first step and it's about a whole lot more than just EMS/TacMed... A different HSC sends
If done right this could be an alternative to getting out of the CG and transferring to the Navy to become an FMF HM.
HS2 Munsey, Every Navy corpsman I know are counting the days until they get out! Most even ask how they can join the Coast Guard, HM(FMF) isn't what it's all cracked up to be. Life is better in CG! I must ask though are you tired of being an HS? If so I understand, this job does get a little mundane but being an HS has given me the chance to go to a Navy school that took me 2 days to get while the majority of the Navy corpsman took them 2-3 years. I will say I to will be looking into a DOG unit after my next tour and IDHS but the LE side of the CG is something I always had an interest in ever since my days on an 87' yacht (PB). I hope we get it right but I also think we will with baby steps. The CG with the HS rate is changing and I'm excited to be part of it! We are no longer shallow water sailors that get sea time when it rains but a service that other services now respect and envy.
We are no longer shallow water sailors that get sea time when it rains but a service that other services now respect and envy.
Are you aware of the fact that the Marine Corps is encouraging Marines to take a Coastie to lunch on Oct. 11th? That's Douglas Munro's birthday. Seems the Marines never lost respect for the CG.
The Army also seemed pretty appreciative of us as we provided NGFS for them in Nam.
The Navy respects us, but there is a lot of inter service joking between the two services.
A lot of work has gone into this program and I can assure you that HSCS Royes has taken no shortcuts. This project was initiated in 2004. Yes, it took that long to get this program up and running. I personally hit major roadblocks when I suggested using hemostatic agents and tourniquets. Some HS's, at my unit level, gringed at these ideas, but understood the concept when presented the SOCOM TC3 principles. Every branch uses these principles for tactical/combat situations. There will be an NSN number for the gear. IFAK KITS are being approved and will be standardized. These KITS are designed using the TC3 Self-Aid/Buddy Aid principles. No bandaids or icepacks in these kits.
It's clear that those who do not work with or within the Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF) units have little knowledge of what is really going on and why there is a need for this manual and a special AMAL. I suggest those of you not assigned to a DOG unit, just hang on a little longer and you too will see the big picture. If I had my way, all HSs should attend one of the independent duty schools and go through the TCCC...wait a tick, I might be able to pull that off.
The move to train with and along side our DoD/Federal Law Enforcement brothers and sisters in tacticle medicine has been going on for some time now. Alot longer than some people may think. When we started going down this path, every fly by night company that taught EMS/Tacticle Medicne was knocking on our door telling us to attend their courses. One even told us that the Coast Guard was no longer going to have their own schools for basic HS, IDHS or EMT. Funny how that one school in particular lost it's credentials ended up going out of business shortly thereafter. The steps we are taking are deliberate and thought out. So if it seems we are taking the baby steps, they are for a reason. Lets get it right the first time. By the way, I would love to see an HS go through the US Navy SEAL program. Hey how about make attending IDHS a requirement for advancement!!! Now that would be special.
Of course Bob would agree to it, advancing to HSCS and having already gone to IDMT School makes it an easy decision for you.
However, I too agree that we need to work towards making it a requirement to attend either the Navy’s IDC School or our own Coast Guard IDHS School. Any and all advanced educational opportunities in our rating should be pursued and I’m not just talking about IDHS School, we have PMT, X-Ray, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy courses and more.
