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Old 12-09-2010, 05:41 PM
HorseSoldier HorseSoldier is offline
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Location: Anchorage, AK
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Yes, that'd be about right but it's not separate training - it's integral to initial training even the clerks and drivers receive.
I think that's similar to the US -- basic training has always included a medical block of first aid stuff, though I gather from my Joes who are recently out of the school house that what they're getting as initial training these days is basically the full Combat Lifesaver course that we used to try to get at least a couple guys per squad or section through (and everyone if possible).

Of course that's pretty typical, I think -- medical training during peacetime is one of those things that can get shorted along the way, but when there's trouble in the wind and all, suddenly it's tommy-this, tommy-that and tommy learn to do a tourniquet. (With apologies to Kipling . . .)

With longer service volunteers in the force mix versus short service conscripts/draftees, what you can front load, training wise, on troops is pretty seriously increased in any case. I'd venture to guess that a US soldier today who's been through Combat Lifesaver or the operator-level TCCC course goes downrange with better medical skills than a draftee medic from the Vietnam era had coming out of that training pipeline. (Not knocking those guys, mind you -- they did great work with the training, technology and techniques of the era.)
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