Are Combat Medics Armed?

Question

Are Combat Medics Armed?

Answer 1

Yes at certain times combat medics are armed. We are not armed during our time state side, but in cases of war time we can be allowed to carry a weapon. Everyone in the military actually learns how to dismantle, clean and fire 2 basic weapons no matter what job they have.

Answer 2

YES! Medics are armed in all branchesof the military (if in a combat environment). As a fellow Medic (Navy Corpsman attached with the Marine Corps), I carried an M9 in Iraq and my main T.O. weapon was an M4 Carbine 5.56mm in Afghanistan.



Medics are classified as a "non-combatant" BUT if an enemy is firing at my position while I'm treating a patient, I will fire down range to suppress fire or defend my patient and myself. We are supposed to be a Medic first and a Combatant second.



Honestly, outside the "wire" I'm shooting insurgents and enemy personnel when I'm not treating patients. The minute a Marine yells "Corpsman Up", I put away my weapon. I prefer a Marine to cover me while I run into a firefight and drag my fellow brother out. Treat properly (stabilize) and call a CASEVAC so the Blackhawk can take the patient to the closest hospital with the proper capabilities.

Answer 3

Given the state of the battle field environment. It would be unwise to be unarmed as a medic. You are talking about an environment today where Taliban will use 6-7-8 year old school kids as barriers and shoot over there heads hiding behind the kids.

My fathers medic in a Philippines was armed as the Japanese would decapitate prisoners. Be wise survive.

Answer 4

Combat medics are not usually heavily armed, but usually carry an assault rifle, such as an SA80 or M4 Carbine. Some also carry a pistol in addition to their rifle. The US Army Medics carry the 5.56mm M-16 A4 or the variate 5.56mm M4 A1 assault rifle, while British Medics are armed with SA80 bullpup rifles.

Answer 5

Yes. As a former Combat Medic I can tell you that we carried our M-16 with us everywhere we went. We were not armed in garrison, but when we went to the field or to combat, we had our weapons with us. Personally speaking, when I had my weapon signed out, it was never more than arm's length away from me. Because of the Geneva Convention, medical personnel are not allowed to carry or fire any weapon more powerful than the M-16. I was never allowed to qualify on the .50 cal because doing so would negate my protected status under the Geneva Convention. I carried a special ID card with me proclaiming me to be protected personnel, complete with the red cross on it. Combat Medics run many convoys when in theater, and it is necessary to be able to protect ourselves from small arms fire in order to carry out our duties. Officers in the medical corps very rarely carry a rifle, and instead carry a sidearm, usually strapped to their thigh.

Answer 6

Yes they are though if I remember right in the early wars World War I & II they were not. The position of Medic was given as were chaplin assistants to those who were conscientious observers. Jason hit it about right on the weapons that are carried. Note you are a medic first soldier second. Your priorities are first keep yourself alive then keep your patient alive. You are to support the troops not bolster their numbers. Remember this if you go down who will take care of the wounded that you are charged to take care of. In the end you are the Doc you are their life line. You are recognized by the Geneva Convention. You do carry a Geneva convention card. You are only issued a gun as you are to be using it to cover you and your wounded soldier that is in your care. Your mission is to patch them, and get them back on the line, or back to higher level of care, so that they can be patched there and returned to the line. In the end you are the Doc on the line and the difference between life and death. That is your primary mission.

Answer 7

Yes. they're a soldier first and a medic second

Answer 8

yes!!

Only Chaplins are not armed, however, the chaplins assistant is