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What is a 91W (Combat Medic)?
Below is an excerpt of an article I found that explains...
A New Army Medic: Health Care Specialists
Immediately upon graduation, many in the first class of 91Ws traveled halfway around the world to care for 200 combat casualties and to assist in more than 100 surgeries; all during the Army's heaviest combat in Afghanistan to date: Operation Anaconda. Some performed medical treatments for 72 continuous hours.
What, or who, are the 91Ws? They are the Army's new elite combat medics.
During battle, Army units depend on a proficient medic. And the advanced skills of a 91W health care specialist can mean the difference between life and death.
"Unlike other medical personnel, 91Ws are not only trained to work beside doctors and registered nurses performing lifesaving procedures, but to perform these procedures, such as advanced airway treatments, ourselves," said Sgt. Jamison E. Gaddy of the 274th Forward Surgical Team. "Our extensive medical training enables us to provide more immediate critical care for those severely injured during combat."
The Army Medical Department (AMEDD) developed the 91W medic, a.k.a. 91 Whiskey, to operate as a key part of small, mobile medical detachments. These detachments are in direct response to the needs of the Transformation Army; the Army-wide vision for innovations in training, health care, technology and equipment to create a faster, more flexible force. These new medics combine the skills and training of two military health care occupations; Licensed Practical Nurses and Combat Medics. As some of AMEDD's core medical assets, 91W health care specialists possess the medical skills and training needed to care for today's 21st century soldier.
To become a 91W, all medics receive advanced training in both health care specialties at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, lasting for 16 weeks as compared to the previous 10-week course required for Combat Medics or Licensed Practical Nurses. These health care specialists also earn certification from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians in basic trauma-life support and trauma-AIMS, which consists of trauma assessment, advanced airway treatment, IV therapy and medication and shock management.
But training isn't all that is needed to treat and care for Army personnel. 91 "Whiskeys" learn about cutting- edge medical equipment never before used in combat situations. They participate in crash courses that teach them how to use technologies such as portable ultrasound and digital X-ray machines to speed the diagnosis and delivery of treatment.
"Being a 91W specialist, I had no doubts about the abilities of myself or my team to treat wounded soldiers. This deployment [Operation Anaconda] reaffirmed for me that our medical detachment is prepared to deliver quality care in any environment, even the intense conditions we found ourselves in," said Gaddy. "Speaking from personal experience, I was called upon to insert a chest tube into a patient. This surgical procedure is typically reserved for emergency surgeons."
Besides performing medical procedures on U.S. Army personnel, 91W soldiers in Afghanistan also cared for Allied forces, Northern Alliance soldiers and even extended their services to civilians, including children, when needed. In addition to these responsibilities, they trained and supported other Army medics, providing education in advanced airway management, CPR, basic trauma-life support; and maintained up-to-date emergency medical technician licensure.
Source: PR Newswire
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