Hospital Corpsman
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Hospital Corpsmen (HMs) are members of the United States Navy Hospital Corps. They serve as enlisted medical personnel. Corpsmen serve in a wide variety of capacities and locations, including shore establishments such as naval hospitals and clinics, aboard ships as the primary medical caregiver for sailors while underway, or with Marine Corps units as battlefield corpsmen, the Marines' equivalent to Army medics. The Hospital Corps is the only all enlisted Corps in the United States military.
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[edit] History
The hospital corps has, after a fashion, been a part of the United States Naval service since 1799 when a provision of congress was instituted service-wide to include a surgeon's assistant on all ships of the fleet. The title of this specialty of training, also known as rating in naval terminology, has changed over the years from loblolly boy, surgeon's steward, apothecary,and bayman, the latter three all requiring the rate holder to be a recipient of some private medical instruction.
On 17 June 1898, by act of congress, the Hospital Corps was established, though the actual name of the servicemen under that rating would change several times (being known as "Pharmacist's Mates" throughout the World Wars) before ultimately becoming simply "Hospital Corpsman". The modern rating abbreviation is HM.
During World War I, there were 684 personal awards issued to Hospital Corpsmen, who distinguished themselves while serving with the United States Marines in numerous battles, among them Belleau Wood.
In World War II, Hospital Corpsmen hit the beach with the U.S. Marines in every battle in the Pacific. A Hospital Corpsman named John Bradley was among the group of Marines in the famous flag raising on Mt. Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima. They also served on ships and submarines. They performed 14 unassisted appendectomies while in a submarine. The Hospital Corps has the distinction of being the only corps in the U.S. Navy to be singled out in a famous speech by Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal after the conclusion of World War II.
The Hospital Corps is the single most decorated rating of all branches of the U.S. military. Twenty-three Hospital Corpsmen have received the Medal of Honor, the most of any single group in the U.S. Navy. Fourteen ships have been named after Hospital Corpsmen. The career and skillset of Hospital Corpsmen were recognized in an article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1961 and they were considered ideal students for the pilot class of physician assistants in 1965 at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC. [1]
In July 2005, the Hospital Corpsman "A" school began instructing students in dental medicine, and effective 01 October 2005 the Dentalman (DT) rating was merged with the Hospital Corpsman rating. Former Dentalmen may opt to continue to wear the DT rating insignia on their uniform until 01 October 2007 at which time they must begin wearing the HM rating insignia. Sailors in both ratings are required to complete "difference training" which will familiarize them with the specifics of the other rating.
[edit] Foundation
The Hospital Corps was founded with the approval of President William McKinley (17 June 1898). This is referred to as the birthday of the US Navy’s Hospital Corps. From this point on all members of the hospital corps could be referred to as Corpsmen. The Hospital Corps consisted of: Hospital apprentice (Seaman), Hospital apprentice first class (Petty Officer), Hospital Steward (Chief Petty Officer), Pharmacists (Warrant Officer).
[edit] Corpsman in the Maritime Service
During WWII, steamship companies of the United States Maritime Service sent Purser’s through Hospital Corpsman training, to serve in a combine administrative and medical role on civilian tankers, freighters, and oilers. Prior to this, there was no competent trained personnel to perform first aid onboard these vessels. The Purser-Corpsman were trained in anatomy, physiology, pharmacy, clinical laboratory, hygiene and sanitation, emergency treatment, first aid, and nursing. They were taught how to give shots, treat compound fractures, administer blood plasma, and suture wounds.
The Maritime Service’s Hospital Corps School was founded at the Sheepshead Bay training station on December 7, 1942. Surgeon S.S. Heilwell (R), United States Uniformed Publich Health Service, was placed in charge of training. The course was taught four months, with 12 week period in didactic classroom experience, and four weeks of practical experience at a marine hospital. The original class of 331 students resulted in 239 graduates on March 12, 1943. But, demand saw an increase in the class to 600 students, to cycle in 50 student classes starting on a weekly basis. Training stations were instructed to provide careful scrutiny by examining boards for all candidates. Pursers on sea duty started arriving at the station on August 10, 1943. By January 1, 1944, there were 600 Purser-Corpsman at sea, with 1,324 graduates in the Maritime Service.
Selection required an above average mark in GCT, and definite interest in both administration and health care. A survey reveals that the men have an IQ average of 130 and two years of college. Pursers entering the hospital school are given ratings according to the length of time they've spent at sea. Those serving less than six months are given Chief Petty Officer ratings and those with more than six months at sea receive Ensign Ratings. Of the 50 men who enter the school each week, 30 are Pursers and 20 were apprentice seaman.
- Work Cited: Mast Magazine May 1944, Mast Magazine August 1944, Mast Magazine May 1945
[edit] Service to Foreign Governments
Reference: Hospital Corps Quarterly
U.S. Hospital Corpsmen have served commissions, usually temporary, in foreign service. Position in several developing countries included: Haiti, Nicaragua, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic.
[edit] National D'Hygiene Publique D'Haiti
Amidst a revolt against the Haitian Independent government; triggered by the slaughter of the President and his constituents; and threatening the safety of US citizens within the country, Marines under the command of Colonel L. W. T. Waller, USMC, landed and occupied Port au Prince, Haiti on 25 July 1915. Following the occupation of principal sea-port cities in Haiti, and towns of the interior, a treaty was signed on 16 September 1915 between the United States and Haiti.
The Service National D’Hygiene Publique d’Haiti, or Haitian Public Health Service, was authorized in the treaty and ratified by congress on 12 June 1916. The United States agreed to loan a small number of US personnel to Haiti in order to establish a working public health service. Twenty medical personnel appointed to this service and provided additional compensation by Haiti. This two year shore duty assignment was accompanied and rated for special duty pay. Under the same treaty US Navy medical personnel were also loaned to Haiti to form the Gendarmerie, or Haitian Constabulary. Later in 1927, US Navy medical personnel were loaned to the La Guardia Nacional de Nicaragua, or Nigaraguan National Guard.
The National d’Hygiene Publique was staffed by seven physicians, three nurses, and nine Pharmacist’s Mates. Headquarters was composed of the Sanitary Engineer of Haiti, the executive assistant to the Sanitary Engineer, and the Chief Clerk. The Sanitation, hygiene, and quarantine was supervised by Public Health Officers, assigned throughout Haiti at Port au Prince, Cape Haitien, Port de Paix, Gonaives, St. Marc, Petite Goave, Jeremie, Aux Cayes, and Jacmel. The General Hospital in Port au Prince was staffed by the Public Health Service with several native physicians. The Nursing School in Port au Prince was instructed to native Haitians by three Navy Nurses. The language of education in Haiti is French and all nursing instruction was done in this language.
[edit] Gendarmarie D’Haiti
Amidst a revolt against the Haitian Independent government; triggered by the slaughter of the President and his constituents; and threatening the safety of US citizens within the country, Marines under the command of Colonel L. W. T. Waller, USMC, landed and occupied Port au Prince, Haiti on 25 July 1915. Following the occupation of principal sea-port cities in Haiti, and towns of the interior, a treaty was signed on 16 September 1915 between the United States and Haiti.
The Gendarmerie d’Haiti, or Haitian Constabulary, was authorized in the treaty and ratified by congress on 12 June 1916. The United States agreed to loan a small number of US personnel to Haiti in order to establish a working constabulary. Twelve medical personnel already in Haiti with the Marines were commissioned into the Gendarmerie, issued ranks within this structure, and keep additional compensation by Haiti. This two year shore duty assignment was accompanied and rated for special duty pay. Under the same treaty US Navy medical personnel were also loaned to Haiti to form the Service National d’Hygiene Publique d’Haiti, or Haitian Public Health Service. Later in 1927, US Navy medical personnel were loaned to the La Guardia Nacional de Nicaragua, or Nigaraguan National Guard.
The medical department of the Gendarmerie was staffed by three Navy physicians, and nine Pharmacist Mates, all of whom were commissioned. Additional native Haitian physicians were commissioned under contract and an enlisted hospital corps, growing to more than 60 was formed using native persons. The Gendarmerie was divided into three Departments, the Department of Port Au Prince, the Department of the North at Cape Haitien, and the Department of the South at Aux Cayes.
The Headquarters was in Port Au Prince, and consisted of the Caserne Hospital; the National Penitentiary; and a hospital which was established 50 miles inland at Lascahobas. One hundred and fifty miles to the North in Cape Haitien at Department of the Cape additional hospitals were established and to the South in Aux Cayes at the Department of Aux Cayes.
[edit] La Guardia Nacional De Nicaragua
Following the end of hostilities between federals and rebels in Nicaragua, during May 1927, a national guard was created, officered by personnel of the Medical and Hospital Corps of the Navy and Marine Corps. A Hospital Corps complement of 7 Chief Pharmacist’s mats, Pharmacist Mate First Class, and Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class, was authorized. Corpsmen were assigned two year comissions. The post provided extra compensation, and was classified as special duty, but was considered shore duty for rotational purposes.
[edit] Organization
Due to the vast array of foreign, domestic and shipboard duty stations in which hospital corpsman are called to serve as well as the fact that the United States Marine Corps has no medical personnel of their own, the Hospital Corps is anecdotally reported to be the largest rating in the United States Navy. That is, the duty classification held by more United States naval personnel than any other.
The basic Hospital Corpsman training is one of the Navy's "A" or primary training schools. The Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) for a hospital corpsman who has attended no "C" school is 0000 called "quad-zero". NEC is analogous to MOS in the United States Army and Marine Corps, or AFSC in the Air Force. A "C" school is a secondary, usually longer, specialized training. In the case of hospital corpsmen, this training is to prepare the sailor for a specialized role, such as Medical Laboratory Technician, Radiology Technician, Aviation/Aerospace Medicine Specialist, etc. The day to day duties of a Hospital Corpsman depends largely on what "C" schools he/she has attended and to what sort of unit he/she has been assigned. All Navy rates have "A" and "C" schools and respective NEC codes.
Of note is Field Medical Service School (FMSS), with locations at Camp Pendleton and Camp Lejeune, where sailors bound for service with United States Marine Corps operating forces attend to earn the NEC 8404, Field Medical Service Technician. This is specialized training emphasizing physical conditioning, small arms familiarity, and the fundamentals of Marine Corps life to make up for the lack of traditional field training that Corpsmen receive at Navy boot camp. As of 2005, this course is seven weeks long.
There are primary NECs, and secondary NECs. For example, a Corpsman could hold the 0000 (General Duty Corpsman) NEC as his primary, while the 8404 (Field Medical Technician) would be his secondary NEC.
Be they assigned to hospital ships, reservist installations, recruiter offices, Marine Corps combat units or functioning as Navy SEALs, 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, 943 Silver Stars, and 1553 Bronze Stars. [2] There have been 14 naval vessels that have been named after Hospital Corpsmen. Assignment to Navy facilities and ships is referred to going "Blueside" and serving with Marines is considered going "Greenside."
A common description of the 8404 Corpsmen during the late 60's and early 70's was, "A long haired, bearded sailor who would go through the very gates of Hell to tend to a wounded Marine." The origin of this phrase can be traced to a book from the late 70's written by Gene Duncan, Major, USMC(ret), the book is entitled "Green Side Out".
[edit] 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."
[edit] Ships Named in Honor of Hospital Corpsmen
Reference: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
- USS Durant (DER-389) *Also sailed as USCGC Durant
