Tennessee Guard Combat Medics recertify lifesaving skills

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Cordeiro | Tennessee Army National Guard combat medics conduct eye injury training during the Tennessee Whiskey Course, March 16, at Smyrna’s Volunteer Training Site. In the Army, combat medics are Nationally Registered Emergency Management Technicians and are required to re-certify every two years. This course helps medics achieve that re-certification. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Cordeiro)  

SMYRNA, TN, UNITED STATES

03.22.2023

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Cordeiro 

Tennessee National Guard Public Affairs Office

Fourteen Tennessee Army National Guard Combat Medics conducted re-certification training, from March 11-19, at Smyrna’s Volunteer Training Site.

The course, named the Tennessee Whiskey Course because of combat medics’ military occupational specialty code, 68 whiskey, acts as a refresher training for Guardsmen to remain proficient in the medical skillset. In the Army, combat medics are Nationally Registered Emergency Management Technicians and are required to re-certify every two years.

“It’s important to re-certify every two years because everyone’s situation is different,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jim Runions, Tennessee Whiskey Course Coordinator. “Many of our traditional Guardsmen have different full-time occupations outside of the medical field. Additionally, technology changes over time, procedures change, so we have to make sure every one of our medics get proper training and can efficiently do their jobs to a high standard.”

Combat medics in the U.S. Army are responsible for administering emergency medical care in the field. They serve as first responders and triage illnesses and injuries to save lives.

Many combat medics in the National Guard work in the healthcare field in their civilian lives, but some have completely different careers. Receiving as much training as possible is essential to their state of readiness.

“Sustainment training is important to maintain our proficiencies in the medical field,” said Lt. Col. Donnie Allen, Tennessee’s Deputy State Surgeon. “A high percentage of battlefield casualties have positive outcomes with proper care. Our goal is to ensure our medics can administer the best care possible when called upon.”

Veteran medics within the ranks of the Tennessee National Guard are instructors during the course which is taught up to eight times a year for medics across the state.

“The course improves every time I come out here and I walk away as a better medic every time I get re-certified,” said Sgt. Anthony Spencer, a combat medic with the 30th Troop Command. “We can also learn a lot from each other, as we come from all different career fields. Some of us are full-time EMT’s and Registered Nurses on the civilian side, so getting together to share experiences is beneficial for all of us.”

Each medic is required to complete 72 hours of continuing education to remain certified with the National Registry. This course provides 48 hours of the training. The remaining 24 required continuing education hours are completed through distance learning.

“Everybody can benefit from training whether you’re new to the field or a seasoned veteran,” said Allen. “To maintain proficiency with patient care it is imperative that our medics receive skills validation. Our goal is to ensure we are sustaining the skillsets of our medics, which helps maintain the fighting force of our whole organization.”

• Date Taken: 03.22.2023
• Date Posted: 04.11.2023 10:38
• Story ID: 440963
• Location: SMYRNA, TN, US