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Originally Published February 28, 2018

In this episode we have Doc “ASH” joining us to discuss 18D training, career, the scope of practice, and mindset, as well as some more in-depth discussion on advanced treatments available to preserve life in the war-zone.  Our conversation provides more background on who we are and the mindset with which we approach life.  This is not a comprehensive exploration of the Special Forces Medic, but rather highlights some of the unique capabilities and the critical role of the medic in the survivability of an SFOD-A and our partner forces.

One of the key things we focus on in this episode is the breadth of support an 18D provides to the special forces mission.  Different than combat medics, 18D do not only treat the wounded, our scope of practice includes clinical treatment of illnesses, preventative medicine, hygiene, and sanitation, as well as surgical capabilities, and delivering babies, yes we have done it.  The gold standard for an 18D is to sustain a wounded patient (or critical patient) for 72 hours, enough time to evacuate the patient to definitive care. But this isn’t done in a full hospital or clinical setting but in an austere or even ad-hoc field clinic or non-military environment.

However, our job would not be possible without doctors like ASH who invest the time and effort to train us, keep us current, and learn alongside of us from our experiences to bring the highest level of care to the men in the field.  As you’ll hear, his expertise and passion for the work enhance and motivates us to perform at the level we do. ASH brings some details about the medical field into the discussion, so you have to listen close, and hopefully, we captured all the notes so you don’t miss anything.

The last part of the discussion shifts back to our primary mission on Inside the G-Base:  teaching you, our G’s, how to think like Green Berets.  We ask a hard question and want to challenge all of you to explore the possibility that it is time our society begins thinking differently about the threats and challenges we face.  No, we don’t discuss gun control – that is for a different debate.  But while that is being debated, why aren’t cities, schools, and “soft targets” preparing for the worst?

All three of us recommend changing the civilian first responder mindset closer to that of a tactical medic.  Stage lifesaving medical treatments as close to the point of possible injuries as possible.  That means staging aid bags with tourniquets and clotting bandages in classrooms, theaters, malls.  We all know where to find an AED if someone has a heart attack, why isn’t there and Aid bag there with the capability to preserve life?  Of course, people will need training, but if J’s kids can apply these treatments, surely teachers can.  This is another call for our G’s to think outside the box, it may be time to accept that at least for now, our society and culture have changed and we need to do what we can to preserve life when we can.  That's what an 18D would do, that's what we want our G’s to do.

If you like what you hear, be sure to subscribe, write a review, and share it with your friends.  If you disagree tweet us and let's talk about it. If you have a different perspective we would love to hear it, post it on our Facebook.  This is about abandoning the spoon-fed narrative and evaluating the facts for yourself, think critically, and deeply on these issues because they matter.  Let's hear what you have to contribute to the G-Base.