Are medics (68W) supposed to pull guard tower duty?

Question

http://www.cjtf101.com/en/regional-command-east-news-mainmenu-401/3575-c-co-guards-cop-penich.html

I have never been to theatre, so I need people's input.

My best friend said he never had to do guard tower security as a medic when he was in Ramadi, Iraq. But why does this medic in the above article pull security?

Whappens if a sniper takes him out? They are screwed
Is there a problem with the command structure? Did the LT or the Platoon Sergeant do the tower roster?

Could he just be supporting the folks who provide security with medical aid if necessary and placed on stand by? But the picture shows him standing next to an M249, so a medic really is pulling security... so wtf?

This is an open ended question. Negative answers will only serve to highlight your stupidity.

Answer 1

There is no such thing as a "guard tower" occupational specialty. Anyone can do it. Depends on the unit and available forces. All Soldiers are trained to be Soldiers first - meaning they must learn how to use various weapons (some are assigned M249 instead of an M16 or M4), learn to defend their posts, conduct convoy operations, etc.



Not sure why a sniper would waste their time on a guard tower, but I guess it happens. Medics don't wear a giant sign that says "I am a medic and don't know what I'm doing" so if he happens to be the unlucky guy to get shot it's a coincidence.



Typically, guard duty is on a rotational basis and considering the amount of work MPs tend to have to do now (out on patrol or doing entry control point and traffic control duty outside the wire), they really can't support doing guard tower crap too. In my unit, we had cooks doing it.

Answer 2

I was a Navy Corpsman, which is a similar job...and I've stood guard duty at the front gate with a loaded weapon.



Medics and Corpsmen can be called for guard duty, although most of the time medical personal stand medical duties...but if they need a body on a post it doesn't matter.



I think at one time Medics and Corpsmen didn't stand duty like that, but they sometimes do now. When I stood duty at the gate it was in the 1990's...so It has been a while. People who knew me would come through the gate puzzled like "Don't you work at the hospital?".



I would smile and say "I do the rest of the week, now let me see your ID"....

Answer 3

I did 20 years in the US Navy. My rating was as cryptographic communications specialist (CTO, now IT).



I pulled physical guard patrols probably 2 years of my 20, without even being a Master At Arms or security trainee. I stood more quarterdeck watches than the average Sailor for sure, since I didn't have my clearance for 14 months in the middle of my career. I stood watches for the following ratings/qualifications: CTR, CTI, IS, CTM, CTA/YN, JO and Surface Warfare pin (not gundecked). I was the only CT in Sabana Seca, Puerto Rico working with the Seabee detachment as a leader for hurricane preparedness, as the Bees didn't have access to 10% of our installation. I did facilities management the last 8 years of my career where an engineering rating should probably have been.



In short, the military will make you do whatever they need. Medics getting shot at? I'm surprised he wasn't in supply moving stores.

Answer 4

"My best friend said he never had to do guard tower security as a medic when he was in Ramadi, Iraq. But why does this medic in the above article pull security?"



Because it was his company's turn to pull security, and he got chosen.



"Whappens if a sniper takes him out? They are screwed"



Well, he's screwed at least.



P.S.

I like "whappens." I'm going to use it.

Answer 5

Because you are a medic does not disqualify you from your duties to protect your fellow soldiers. I'm pretty sure the rest of the squad has a combat lifesaver.

Answer 6

Anybody can be chosen for guard tower duty.