NMLC Operational Forces Support Directorate Assemblage Management Corpsman Describes Duty with Marines

Photo By Julius Evans | HM3 Czech on foot patrol outside of Forward Operating Base Payne, Helmand Province Afghanistan.  

AFGHANISTAN

04.28.2016

Story by Julius Evans 

Naval Medical Readiness Logistics Command, Williamsburg, VA

Hospital Corpsmen have long served side-by-side on the battlefield with their brothers at arms in the fighting forces. In fact, no less than 22 Hospital Corpsmen have been bestowed the Medal of Honor dating back to pre-World War I. Yet, so many more Corpsmen have served with honor and distinction since then.

Of course, the name of the rating has changed over the years, as most Navy ratings do. In no certain order, the rating name has changed from Hospital Apprentice (First Class), to Hospital Steward to Pharmacists Mate to Hospitalman to Hospital Corpsman. However, the one thing they all have in common is the uncommon valor among those who have served.
Just over a year ago, one of those Sailors reported for duty at Naval Medical Logistics Command, Fort Detrick, Maryland.

Recently promoted to Petty Officer 1st Class, Eric J. Czech is assigned to the Naval Medical Logistics Command (NMLC) Operational Forces Support Directorate as an assemblage management representative. In that role, he and a team of highly technical professionals manage the Authorized Medical Allowance Lists (AMALs) and the Authorized Dental Allowance Lists (ADALs).

“We directly support Fleet Forces, Type Commanders and other stakeholders ashore and afloat in managing the medical capability of each operational unit or platform through the logistics and technical data management of materiel contained within their AMALs and ADALs. We conduct biannual reviews of each platform with representatives Fleet Forces sends from each of the various communities, including submarines, cruisers, destroyers, frigates, amphibious assault ships and carriers,” Czech explained. “We hash out what items will be on the platforms as well as the ships being overhauled.”

The group determines which items are obsolete, need replacement or can remain on the allowance list. This gives them a snapshot of what materiel will remain or be supplied to the platforms. Once Fleet Forces approves the suggested changes, the recommendations are processed.

“Most of the changes impact ships that will be commissioned in the future. But if a ship comes in for overhaul, we can ensure they have the right equipment and items to support their requirements.”

Czech joined the Navy in November 2010. He attended Hospital Corpsman “A” School in San Antonio, Texas and Field Medical Training Battalion in Camp Johnson, North Carolina. He was then assigned to K Co., and Scout Sniper Platoon, Weapons Co., 3rd Battalion 9th Marines, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He completed one deployment to Helmand Province, Afghanistan (2012-2013), and was then reassigned to 2d Reconnaissance Battalion, Camp Lejeune. The Navy provides all the field medical services for Marines and the transition from Sailor to Marine isn’t run of the mill.

“Expectations and discipline are enforced differently in the Marine Corps and that could be a culture shock for some Sailors. Field Medical Training Battalion is more of a transition period from the general medical skills Corpsmen learn at school. At Field Med, we learned more job-specific skills; combat trauma, field preventative medicine and basic Marine Corps principles. It indoctrinates you into the culture of the Marine Corps,” Czech said. “We learn things like needle thoracostomy for tension pneumothorax and emergency cricothyrotomy for airway obstruction, whereas in Hospital Corpsman basic school, we learned about patient movement and splinting, etc. Field Medical Training Battalion is absolutely critical – without it, you’re just not prepared to go into the field with Marines, but the on the job training is just as important.”

Exceptionally well-versed with the tools of an infantry company, Czech explained how he learned about fire teams, patrols, tactics and ‘doing the grunt thing.’ Sailors get a basic crash-course on 9mm Berettas in boot camp. But in infantry units, one is responsible to know the M4/M16, M249, M240G and M203 inside and out.

“Once you are immersed in an infantry company, you learn to disassemble, reassemble and disassemble again. It becomes paramount to not only learn weapons handling skills, but immediate and remedial action with your weapons have to become second nature. On top of that, you are not only responsible to know your weapon or role, you must know all the weapons and roles within your platoon in case you have to take another man’s place,” Czech expressed with emphasis. “In addition, you are also responsible to be the subject matter expert for whatever type of medical needs your team requires. Corpsmen have to be a jack-of-all-trades and must master multiple skill sets; weapons is one of them, combat tactics is another and of course, you have to come with a medical aptitude. Unfortunately, we all can’t come with these skills. That’s where the mentors come in to play – those team leaders and Corpsmen within the battalions – that’s where the on the job training really comes in,” he said.

Adapting well to the life of an Infantry Marine, Czech faced another challenging opportunity when he received a chance to apply for Scout Sniper Platoon.

“I was fortunate enough to try out for and be accepted into the Scout Sniper Platoon. Working with these guys and the other Corpsmen is where I really learned combat planning and preparation, the finer points of the job as a Field Medical Technician. I believe I learned as much there as I had my entire career prior to that point,” Czech expressed.

A Scout Sniper is a Marine, highly skilled in marksmanship and field craft, (the tactical skills to operate stealthily and the methods used to do so, which can differ during day or night and due to weather or terrain), who can deliver long-range precision fire on selected targets from concealed positions.

Scout Sniper Platoon provided a new set of tactics. They were required to still maintain the patrolling, assaulting, and basic raids and all the other tactics they previously mastered, but once accepted, they had to maintain observation, camouflage, reconnaissance and long range shooting skills, which is a whole new beast. They are the guys who wait to take ‘the one shot.’ According to him, it’s an honor to be selected to serve with them.

Czech then explained the 3rd Battalion 9th Marines headquarters structure to identify where Navy Corpsmen are stationed when assigned to a Marine battalion. The Navy does all the Marine Corps medicine and they are all field medical technicians. They all have the 8404 Navy Enlistment Classification Code.

“You have to earn your way into the snipers,” he said. “They don’t just send Corpsmen there. You don’t just sign up. It is definitely a much desired assignment within the battalion, so it is very competitive.”

The Scout Sniper Platoon needed two more Corpsmen so they opened the request to all Corpsmen in infantry companies. Czech applied and said he was lucky enough to be one of the two selected amongst all those who tried-out. Czech then explained, with a profound sense of dignity and pride, what he learned from his tour with the Marine Corps and Scout Sniper Platoon.

“I learned planning and organizational skills because there are so many things for which you are accountable on each patrol - whether that’s medicine or your tactical responsibilities - and all those skills I mentioned earlier. Along with that comes specific equipment you have to take care of, or things you have to prepare for. If we take contact and I have to care for a specific personnel injury, I have to be prepared. At the same time, I can’t neglect any other types of injuries. There’s not a lot of space to carry the equipment so you learn good organizational skills quickly,” he said.

As he transitioned from the operational and tactical side of Navy Medicine to the logistics end, he explained how he has adjusted to his various tours and assignments.

“This is a whole new world and I’ve gotten good at this new world thing,’ he quipped. “I finished Corps School and went to Field Medical training. That was a new world. I went to Marine Infantry. That was a new world. I went to Scout Sniper Platoon. That was a new world. I went to Recon and became a Leading Petty Officer there and that was totally different. While at the Battalion Aid Station, I conducted Sick Call and practiced clinical medicine while working more directly with medical officers and the Independent Duty Corpsmen. That was a very good learning experience for me. That is also where I started the Bachelor of Science degree in sports and health sciences that I recently finished. When I eventually became the LPO there I learned the administrative side of the Navy,” he said.

During his tour in Afghanistan, he said he definitely received the hands-on experience that shaped him into the person he is today. Now, he has reported to NMLC and this is unlike anything else he has ever done.

“My only experience with supplies before was trying to haggle with other Corpsmen to get what I needed. And now, as an assemblage manager, I get to see what each ship will take to sea with them as far as medical gear - equipment, consumables, whatever it might need,” he said.

In summarizing, Czech said he has had a lifetime of service during his time in the Navy and with Fleet Marine Force. His Navy career has been the most significant six years of his life and he is merely 26. The difference between what he has done and what he is doing now is vast since he is not dealing with the same type of forces he operated with in the past. But it’s good to have medical understanding. He has a better appreciation of the logistical process.

“It’s nice to see the big picture of how medical equipment gets to where it is needed and how the Navy implements changes in the medical field overall and throughout Navy Medicine. NMLC brings me to the 30,000-foot level. It’s neat to see not only what happens at the end-user stage, but it’s a fantastic opportunity to be able to influence how these processes are executed,” he said.

• Date Taken: 04.28.2016
• Date Posted: 04.28.2016 11:16
• Story ID: 196763
• Location: AF