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Questions about medics doing JCOP defense...
12/31/2010 12:57:47 AM
I'm on a small JCOP with my troop. We have threee small line platoons of about 16-18 men a piece. Our medics were told by the squadron PA that they didn't have to do guard duty any more because it is against the Geneva Convention. I don't get it, am I missing something?
12/31/2010 6:51:01 AM
No idea, but I know our medic would get up in a turret when we were out sleeping wherever and had to do 50% security.
12/31/2010 9:29:27 AM
Not really sure if current medics fall under that clause in the GC. Thats more from earlier wars. Combat Medics now are considered riflemen first, which is why they carry weapons. We always had medics doing combat related stuff, unless they were in their clinic. Maybe we were wrong, not sure.
12/31/2010 10:51:34 AM
Its bullshit. They are allowed to engage in both offensive and defensive combat action, the only penalty under the Geneva convention is that they then lose protected status and are classified as a legitimate combatant, something which doesn't matter in this conflict at all.
Guard duty is legit, as long as there is another medic not on guard and on standby in the aid station. There should be a PA or senior E6/E7 type medic already in the aid station anyway. Some duties for a medic simply don't make sense, like having them gunning in a vehicle when they are the only medic for a platoon (which is an extremely sore subject for me right now), but having a medic on guard when there are several of them around is fine.
Guard duty is legit, as long as there is another medic not on guard and on standby in the aid station. There should be a PA or senior E6/E7 type medic already in the aid station anyway. Some duties for a medic simply don't make sense, like having them gunning in a vehicle when they are the only medic for a platoon (which is an extremely sore subject for me right now), but having a medic on guard when there are several of them around is fine.
12/31/2010 11:13:12 AM
Originally Posted By cavscouty:
I'm on a small JCOP with my troop. We have threee small line platoons of about 16-18 men a piece. Our medics were told by the squadron PA that they didn't have to do guard duty any more because it is against the Geneva Convention. I don't get it, am I missing something?
I'm on a small JCOP with my troop. We have threee small line platoons of about 16-18 men a piece. Our medics were told by the squadron PA that they didn't have to do guard duty any more because it is against the Geneva Convention. I don't get it, am I missing something?
I ran into this with a medic who got attached to a CA team in Iraq. But the battalion that occupied the FOB had medics carrying their weapons and all. They were in guns on convoys and rotated into the guard force at time.
Sounds like someone is reading too much out of the GC/LOLW. The convention assumes a static war of linear battle lines and offensive actions. That said we're in an asymmetrical war and guarding the FOB or even the convoy/patrol means the medics can take the weapon and engage targets. The GC intended to be a barrier from belligerents putting combat troops in medically protected vehicles and launching attacks on the enemy. However, it doesn't preclude the inherent right to self defense... Ask that same PA if he's going to have this guys go out on patrols with you unarmed...
Frankly its a way to avoid having his guys pull guard duty. But your COP boss can override him...
12/31/2010 11:26:04 AM
Former 91B, I wish someone had told me I didn't have to pull guard duty!
12/31/2010 5:42:10 PM
unless you are running around with a identifying medic armband and are using the GC to avoid getting shot by the badguys as well as preventing you from engaging in offenisive combat, it does not apply.
If you are not wearing an identifyable medic symbol it holds no water.
Tell you rPA to go talk to the JAG to unscrew himself. Or better yet, since your PA holds no position in your chain of command ( you work for the medical PL, not the PA) check wih your actual chain of command instead of listening to someone who needs to stay in his lane.
If you are not wearing an identifyable medic symbol it holds no water.
Tell you rPA to go talk to the JAG to unscrew himself. Or better yet, since your PA holds no position in your chain of command ( you work for the medical PL, not the PA) check wih your actual chain of command instead of listening to someone who needs to stay in his lane.
12/31/2010 6:25:19 PM
thats not many bodies. everyone should be on guard duty. we had 1 medic per CA detatchemnt (32pax) and he loved going out on missions but he never gunned or drove. he did however treat civilians and pull security on the ground
12/31/2010 10:17:31 PM
68W (Medic) Platoon Sergeant here, I still pull guard with my guys. Screw the GC, it merely offers protections against another force that chooses to follow it. Last time I checked our allies follow it and no one else.
1/1/2011 1:25:59 AM
you're in a SQDN I bet......which means your 16-18 man platoons are heavy right now. We sometimes had as low as 9-10 but most times 12-13. The PA is wrong, as others have stated before. I'm also going to guess that the guy is assigned to the line. We made it clear to our medic that he was just another scout w/ medical knowledge. No, he didn't gun or drive, but he did give med classes, check on the guys, etc. He definitely pulled guard duty. For better or worse, this guy is a soldier in your platoon. What kind of soldier would look at his platoon and not pull his weight?
1/1/2011 5:34:45 AM
Originally Posted By kudzu630:
I ran into this with a medic who got attached to a CA team in Iraq. But the battalion that occupied the FOB had medics carrying their weapons and all. They were in guns on convoys and rotated into the guard force at time.
Sounds like someone is reading too much out of the GC/LOLW. The convention assumes a static war of linear battle lines and offensive actions. That said we're in an asymmetrical war and guarding the FOB or even the convoy/patrol means the medics can take the weapon and engage targets. The GC intended to be a barrier from belligerents putting combat troops in medically protected vehicles and launching attacks on the enemy. However, it doesn't preclude the inherent right to self defense... Ask that same PA if he's going to have this guys go out on patrols with you unarmed...
Frankly its a way to avoid having his guys pull guard duty. But your COP boss can override him...
Originally Posted By cavscouty:
I'm on a small JCOP with my troop. We have threee small line platoons of about 16-18 men a piece. Our medics were told by the squadron PA that they didn't have to do guard duty any more because it is against the Geneva Convention. I don't get it, am I missing something?
I'm on a small JCOP with my troop. We have threee small line platoons of about 16-18 men a piece. Our medics were told by the squadron PA that they didn't have to do guard duty any more because it is against the Geneva Convention. I don't get it, am I missing something?
I ran into this with a medic who got attached to a CA team in Iraq. But the battalion that occupied the FOB had medics carrying their weapons and all. They were in guns on convoys and rotated into the guard force at time.
Sounds like someone is reading too much out of the GC/LOLW. The convention assumes a static war of linear battle lines and offensive actions. That said we're in an asymmetrical war and guarding the FOB or even the convoy/patrol means the medics can take the weapon and engage targets. The GC intended to be a barrier from belligerents putting combat troops in medically protected vehicles and launching attacks on the enemy. However, it doesn't preclude the inherent right to self defense... Ask that same PA if he's going to have this guys go out on patrols with you unarmed...
Frankly its a way to avoid having his guys pull guard duty. But your COP boss can override him...
I read your post and instantly thought of the Dirty Dozen...
1/3/2011 12:39:56 PM
Are they pulling some type of watch at the BAS (Battalion Aid Station)?
If they are then I would say not to add them to guard roster.
No medical watch then they can pull guard like every one else IMO
Monk
If they are then I would say not to add them to guard roster.
No medical watch then they can pull guard like every one else IMO
Monk
1/4/2011 7:26:50 AM
Originally Posted By The-Bald-Monk:
Are they pulling some type of watch at the BAS (Battalion Aid Station)?If they are then I would say not to add them to guard roster.
No medical watch then they can pull guard like every one else IMO
Monk
Are they pulling some type of watch at the BAS (Battalion Aid Station)?If they are then I would say not to add them to guard roster.
No medical watch then they can pull guard like every one else IMO
Monk
No, that is a full time position for a few guys. I'm talking about the platoon medics. As of yet nothing has changed, and from the looks of it, everyone up high thinks they are correct. Whatever.
1/7/2011 1:36:16 PM
I am a Trauma team medic. My junior medics, and myself have all participated in FORCE PRO. One tower was manned completely by medics for a month, and we still did our 24 hour coverage of the aid station. Using the Geneva Convention is a weak excuse, and if they don't want to do their time on a tower then get the hell out of my army.
