As currently constructed, USMC doctrine relies heavily upon expeditionary maneuver warfare, large-scale amphibious forcible entry, and sustained operations ashore . This concept of operations presents healthcare delivery challenges due to the distances combatants travel from staged facilities with capabilities to lower Marine combat mortality.
Despite the clinical and didactic education HMs are given to prepare for assignment with the operational forces, they are not trained Riflemen, nor are they permanently assigned to USMC billets throughout their Navy career.
With force restructuring taking place, is the status-quo medical support arrangement ideal for the USMC, or would the organization benefit from organically establishing and managing its own enlisted Combat Medic inventory?
3. Research questions: Describe the main question or problem you will address, and any secondary or sub-questions you may look into. Justify why this is an important topic to study.
• What is the feasibility of developing an enlisted combat medic Primary Military Occupational Specialization within the USMC?
• What would be the cost consideration in creating a combat medic PMOS expansion?
• Are HMs currently delivering quality healthcare to USMC beneficiaries?
