1. Mentor other providers
2. Help train medics in the skills they use everyday
3. Find ways to augment their skills for tomorrow if/when they leave the military
Things are different at the battalion vs. brigade level. In a typical Brigade Combat Team (currently, the Army's main go-to maneuver force), the brigade is made up of 6 or 7 battalions each consisting of between 600-1000 Soldiers. Each of these battalions has 1 medical officer (physician's assistant), 1 medical operations officer and a platoon of medics. Each of these PAs report to a brigade surgeon, who is a physician (MD/DO) - although sometimes seasoned PAs take on the brigade surgeon role as well.
The 3 points I made above are more easily carried out by those battalion PAs than a brigade surgeon, especially when you are in garrison (not deployed). Luckily, there are opportunities for docs to be at the battalion level too. These often come in the form of PROFIS (Professional Filler System) slots as a battalion surgeon that are filled in preparation for and during a deployment. More on PROFIS, CTC (Combat Training Center) rotations and deployment in a future post.
A point that I've thought about and discussed with many combat medics over the years is succinctly captured in this interview of 2 former Army medics conducted by Jon Stewart.
Jon Stewart interviews 2 former Army medics
