Day 328: Corpsman

Hospital Corpsman Pledge

"I solemnly pledge myself before God and these witnesses to practice faithfully all of my duties as a member of the Hospital Corps. I hold the care of the sick and injured to be a privilege and a sacred trust and will assist the Medical Officer with loyalty and honesty. I will not knowingly permit harm to come to any patient. I will not partake of nor administer any unauthorized medication. I will hold all personal matters pertaining to the private lives of patients in strict confidence. I dedicate my heart, mind and strength to the work before me. I shall do all within my power to show in myself an example of all that is honorable and good throughout my naval career."


Crazy picture I know...

On June 17th, 1898 President William McKinley signed into law a Congressional bill authorizing the establishment of the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps. Yesterday, we honored the 111th birthday of the Hospital Corpsman. Hospital Corpsmen serve as enlisted medical specialists for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The Hospital Corpsman serves in a wide variety of capacities and locations, including shore establishments such as naval hospitals and clinics, aboard ships as the primary medical caregivers for sailors while underway, or with Marine Corps units.

Petty Officer Garcia conducting IV Training Class

Be they assigned to hospital ships, reservist installations, recruiter offices, Marine Corps combat units, or joint units such as the mentoring mission here in Afghanistan, the rating of Hospital Corpsman is the most decorated in the United States Navy with 22 Medals of Honor, 174 Navy Crosses, 31 Distinguished Service Medals, 946 Silver Stars, and 1,582 Bronze Stars. There have been 20 naval ships that have been named after hospital corpsmen. Talk about overachievers!

The sole Navy Corpsman on post, Petty Officer Garcia

In my young career as a Navy physician, I have had the privilege of working with some of the brightest and most motivated medical professionals, my Navy Corpsman. Their knowledge and clinical expertise rivals any 3rd or even 4th year medical student. They are the backbone when it comes to getting my clinic duties done whether it's back home on Naval Hospital Guam or here in theater...my Corpsman lead the way! Happy 111th Birthday!!

"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give."
Matthew 10:8 NIV