Combat Medics Fight Insurgents, Save Afghans

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

09.22.2010

Story by Chief Petty Officer Brian Brannon 

NATO Training Mission Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan -- With the hearts of warriors and the skills of medical technicians, Afghan combat medics are prepared to fight for the lives of their comrades in arms. Since 2003, more than 5,500 have graduated from the Combat Medic School on the campus of the National Military Hospital in Kabul.

US Air Force Col. Schuyler Geller is the command surgeon and commander of the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan Medical Training Advisory Group. He says that after working with coalition advisors for years, Afghan instructors and administrators at the Combat Medic School are prepared to take ownership of the curriculum.

“In 2003 we were doing it for them,” he said. “Gradually, we began doing it with them. Now they’re ready to do it by themselves.”

The eight-week class prepares non-commissioned officers to provide point-of-injury care at the battle site or “on the X” in Army parlance. Students learn how to operate at the infantry division level to stabilize the patient, stop the bleeding, maintain an open airway, and transport wounded troops as quickly as possible to higher echelon care.

Abdul Azim is a sergeant first class in the Afghan National Army and an instructor at the medic school. He says that the techniques his students learn at the school prove invaluable in combat.

“The combat medic is the first to help the wounded soldier,” Azim said. “He takes care of the wounded on the battlefield because there are no doctors, so he’s fighting and he’s helping. This is very important training and it’s an honor for me to teach my soldiers how to save their friends on their teams.”

Prospective combat medics affiliate with the school from all branches of the Afghan National Security Forces, including the army, police, border police and commando corps. Admission requirements include proven leadership, literacy and the will to learn.

ANA Staff Sgt. Mohammed Yazir says that the training he’s received at the school has prepared him to take care of soldiers and civilians alike.

“I have confidence in the mass casualty area—God forbid it should happen—I will be able to save their lives,” he said.

Plans call for each kandak, or battalion, to deploy with one medic for every 50 troops, with regional schools throughout Afghanistan helping to fill that need.

US Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Marvin Belano of the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan Medical Embed Team said the students’ teamwork, initiative and sense of urgency are impressive.

“These guys are really high speed, they’ve got the head-to-toe basic combat life saving skills,” he said.

With Afghan personnel scheduled to completely take over from NTM-A in a few weeks, the school is already self-sustaining, with Afghans handling their own logistics, administration, operations and recruiting.

ANA Major Juma Gul is a physician and senior commander of the Combat Medic School.

“Thanks to our mentors and their contributions, now we are doing everything here,” he said.

• Date Taken: 09.22.2010
• Date Posted: 09.22.2010 14:38
• Story ID: 56802
• Location: KABUL, AF