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U.S. Navy doctors and hospital corpsmen with 2nd Medical Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, simulate opening the airway of a wounded service member during a certification exercise at Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 1, 2018. The exercise was designed for shock trauma platoons and forward resuscitation surgical units to ensure medical proficiency in handling emergencies in future deployments.

Photo by Cpl. Ashley Lawson

Docs of War: 2nd Med Bn trains for deployment

8 Mar 2018 | Cpl. Ashley Lawson The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website

U.S. Navy doctors and hospital corpsmen with 2nd Medical Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, participated in a certification exercise in preparation for their upcoming deployment with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Africa at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Feb. 26 - March 2, 2018. 

The exercise was designed specifically for shock trauma platoons and forward resuscitation surgical units to ensure the unit sustains medical proficiency and is capable of handling emergencies during future deployments. The training is held prior to deployments to also improve communication skills, resource management and teamwork within 2nd Medical Battalion.

“It’s important for doctors and hospital corpsmen to train in a field setting,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Tim Moore, an en-route care supervisor with 2nd Medical Battalion unit. “If they are able to provide excellent care with high-stress levels during this training, we are confident they will perform well while deployed.”

Initially, the sailors received service members suffering from simulated injuries and safely transported them to the medical tent. After assessing the patients, they made conclusions on treatment procedures and carried out the steps necessary to stabilize them.

“As the day went on, the instructors gave us more patients with less medical personnel to try to overwhelm the Sailors,” said Lt. Stephen Wiltshire, a medical officer with 2nd Medical Battalion. “We are all from different sections to include intensive care and emergency room units, but in this short period of time we have come together extremely well and are very cohesive.”

The sailors received patients with gunshot wounds and burns, but also acted as an aid station for less severe complications.

“I feel confident these sailors would give their patients the best possible care and the highest chance of survival,” Moore said.

With a deployment just around the corner, the sailors were forced to make time-sensitive decisions based on the severity of their patients and prove they are committed to their role and fellow service members.

“At the end of the day, our mission is to save the men and women we work with,” said Wiltshire. “This training ensures we are able to do so.”

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