Do army medics wear the red medical symbol on their sleaves, or was that discontinued after World War II?

Question

Anyone with any other information on Army combat medics (68w for the sticklers) please let me know. Also, another dim question, medics are combat oriented, right? i learned that in World War II at the start medics did not fight or carry arms. I assume that that changed along with wearing the medical symbol, but i just want to be sure.

Answer 1

Medics no longer have the Red Cross on them, because it makes them stand out way too much, and makes them targets (despite the ban on firing on medics in the geneva convention/laws of war).

Answer 2

Technically we're combat oriented. We have 4 months of AIT and half of that is specifically geared towards combat medical care, care under fire, etc. However, just because you're a medic does not necessarily mean you will end up seeing combat or even be deployed. I know medics that have spent 13 years in a stateside hospital. We do carry weapons though. I have an M4 and an M9 though I usually just carry my M4.



Also no we definitely don't wear our red medical symbol and yes, it was to try and prevent us from being such large targets. However, we still have to carry our large aid bags on patrol and I guarantee that after 10 years of war, these people know who the medics are. We have kids seeing our bags when on patrol and saying "doctor" and trying to get meds from us so if the kids know, the adults definitely do too.

Answer 3

Red Cross no longer used after Korean war. As Navy Corpsman wore blackened medical badge on cammies. Issued weapon during viet period was .45 cal semi-automatic pistol, Probably replaced with 9mm. To be used to protect patient and self defense.

Answer 4

No because they became targets because the enemy has the mindset that 1 medic dead is 10 americans dead or something like that

Answer 5

I never did...........









SSG/US ARMY

97-04

91B Combat Medic in 97 but when I left it was 91W Health Care Specialist in 04

Answer 6

Not a whole lot, depends on the situation. Like Saturday we were in the pack shed (place you put your parachute) and they wore them.

Never seen them wear it anywhere else.

Answer 7

the medics i was with didnt have them.