Hospital Corpsmen were often the only medical caregivers available in many fleet or Marine units. Hospital Corpsmen served as enlisted medical specialists for the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps. They worked in a wide range of areas and locations, including naval hospitals and clinics, on ships, in battle, and as well as the main medical caregivers for sailors while underway (2).
The Hospital Corpsman of World War 2 started their military life at boot camp, like all other sailors in the US Navy. After basic training, they were sent through Hospital Corps School to learn the basics of medicine, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and trauma management. After this, they were qualified as Hospital Apprentices (Seamen) or
…show more content…
1. Physical fitness: If he is to survive the tough days and nights of any long-drawn-out engagement, the field hospital corpsman needs to be in the best physical condition possible. A physically unfit Corpsman will break down quickly due to lack of rations and sleep and exposure to the elements while in the company of persistent danger. Long hours in the operating room also require the highest physical stamina. 2. Terrain appreciation: This is the ability of the hospital corpsman to use the lay of the land in order to provide the maximum protection for his patients and himself. This is the use of any kinds of ditches, ridges, or other terrain features to stay out of the line of fire from the enemy. 3. Map reading: Every field hospital corpsman must be able to correctly read military maps. The use of maps will allow him to plot the best routes to get to injured soldiers or to extract them from the battle. Travel amongst the numerous connections in the evacuation sequence and the pursuit of remote groups of casualties is critically reliant on the individuals' ability to read these maps. 4. Use of small arms: In many conditions, the hospital corpsman is entitled to fight for the protection of his patients and himself. All men need to be skilled in the maintenance and shooting of a pistol and carbine. 5. Ability to live in the field under combat conditions: The