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Chapter 5

COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT

Preparation for combat must include plans to exercise the casualty evacuation system and continue the mission. Experience in Vietnam proved that troops sometimes become so concerned with casualties that they forget the enemy and their mission.

Lessons Learned

• Command emphasis

  • Increased command emphasis on individual first aid skills, the buddy aid system, and use of combat medics will improve the soldier's confidence in the medical systems immediately available on the battlefield.

• Battalion Level Operations

  • Include the Medical Platoon Leader as a critical member of the battalion staff. Include him in the wargaming process and the development of the OPORD. Use his medical estimate to foresee the requirements for casualty collection points and evacuation techniques.

    • Do not burden the S1 with medical planning if a Medical Platoon Leader is available.

  • The battalion aid station of a light division has two forward treatment teams. Send these teams forward to areas where high casualties are expected. Request replacement teams from the medical company to augment the reduced capability at the battalion aid station.

  • Use the Battle Roster System (FM 12-15, Wartime Casualty Reporting) for reporting and managing casualties.

  • A non-mechanized battalion employed a pole-less litter (NSN 6530-00-783-7510, Litter, Non-Ridged, Poleless). The item is a piece of heavy fabric the length and width of a standard litter. A litter, carried in each squad, increases the availability of litters for removal of casualties.

  • During a breach through an enemy obstacle and assault of a defensive position, a battalion gave the assault company a fourth platoon as a follow-on and support force. The mission of the fourth platoon was to evacuate casualties. As the assault element passed thorough the breach, the fourth platoon evacuated casualties to the casualty collection point.

• Company Level Operations

  • Casualty stabilization and evacuation are the goals of medical operations within a company.

  • Emphasize the ABCs (open the airway, control bleeding and control shock) of buddy aid.

  • Employ a combat lifesaver at each squad. The combat lifesaver should carry Ringer solution and an IV kit to assist in the stabilization of casualties.

  • Insure combat lifesavers understand they are not medics and their first priority is mission accomplishment and not casualty treatment.

  • Insure combat medics carry a fully supplied aid bag. Consider the factors of METT-T to decide if the medic needs additional medical supplies for the mission.

  • Identify casualty collection points (CCPs) prior to an operation. Brief, down to squad level, the location of the CCP. (NOTE: Checkpoints can double as CCPs.) Locate CCPs out of direct fire range in a concealed or protected area.

  • Psychologically prepare your soldiers for the realities of combat by discussing what soldiers should do if their buddy is killed or wounded. Preparing soldiers emotionally will assist their actions to care for the wounded and continue the mission.

Table of Contents

Chapter 4: Mobility/Counter Mobility

Chapter 6: Command and Control