FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, Calif.— Rocks scatter as High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles roll to a stop in the sand of Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif., during Global Medic 2010. Soldiers from the 674th Forward Surgical Team emerged from their vehicles ready to break ground on their latest jump. The lines of the battlefield have changed, but not the job of this medical team. They are ready to tackle any emergency medical treatment.

The 674th FST is composed of 13 Soldiers who are led by Col. Charles Persinger. This unit is headquartered in Erie, Pa., is known to save life or limb within 90 minutes of completing a jump and setting up operations. When a FST jumps it means they must pack up their entire tent, relocate and setup their equipment at any area of the battlefield to treat wounded troops. The 674th FST contributes to Global Medic’s overall mission by completing jumps within six hours to any Forward Operating Base where their skills are needed.

“Soldiers who work at a FST do so because they are highly motivated troops who love their job,” Persinger said.

Persinger smiles as he passionately describes what his team does.

“As a level one to two trauma care unit, we are in the frontline stabilizing the troops so that they can be moved to the combat support or specialized hospital,” Persinger said.

Working on a FST team requires more than just the basic knowledge of a Soldier’s Military Occupational Specialty. These Soldiers have to be proficient in using communication equipment, understanding basic generator operations and how to properly utilize the technical standards required during HMMWV operations. During Global Medic, this FST also assisted the 48th Combat Support Hospital (CSH) by conducting sick call during the beginning days of the exercise.

“Fifty percent of our company are seasoned Soldiers who have many accomplishments in their military career,” said Sgt. 1st Class Kelly Jacoby, a licensed practical nurse with the 674th FST.

“Our mission here has been great because we are able to set up 100% of our equipment within allowed time,” Jacoby added.

Structurally FSTs are composed of ten officers and ten enlisted Soldiers. Among the officers there are four surgeons, two nurse anesthetists, a medical service officer who records notes, a nurse and an emergency medical technician. Among the enlisted, six are combat medical technicians, three are part of the surgical support staff and one is a detachment Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO). In certain situations, this team may split in half to support assigned missions.

“Life is different working in a CSH versus a FST,” said Capt. Jerome Rupp, a nurse anesthetist with the 674th FST.

These differences can catch many Soldiers by surprise, especially when all they may be used to doing is giving pills or charting the progress of a patient.

“Troops have to be multifunctional because they have to be ready at anytime to do different jobs,” Rupp said.

The lines of the battlefield may change, but not the jobs of those in the FST. Armed with the latest medical techniques and medicines, these Soldiers stand ready to deploy anywhere, anytime.

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