Next Generation Combat Medic

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Next Generation Combat Medic

We provide a forum of perpetual learning, discussion, and camaraderie for "Doc", because knowledge we Fully understand the principle and master the basics.

Remember, We PRACTICE medicine so there is typically "A way" and not "The way". Only then can you apply or adapt to solve the problem and execute.

**Individuals that post in this group will post as private individuals and not as a representative of their organization or official position**

01/28/2026

How do you handle students doing poor hypothermia management?

Let’s say you’re a senior medic and you see multiple medics who aren’t necessarily forgetting HPMK, beanie and all but putting it on very late, leaving open constantly, exposing whole patient for a procedure on one limb, etc. They “check the block” but don’t really crush it or take seriously.

Let’s discuss quality feedback and how to drive this home as leaders and instructors to deliver higher quality patient care.

Reminder on our website we have a guide on running TCCC lanes and grading them:
https://nextgencombatmedic.com/2025/08/19/teaching-better-tccc/

01/27/2026

Which is better and why?

Looking for less of a popularity contest and more reasons why initial training and culture of line units and the providers over them may more consistently lead to a better product l.

Our discussion yesterday had heated opinions on Paramedic school for Medics. But not all Corpsman get even EMT in school… does that make them weaker providers? Or is EMT not as applicable for providers?

Consider the same logic on back when SOF medics were all EMT and not NRP.

All Army medics are at least EMT, but don’t have NPI numbers.

At the root of this discussion is what we want with initial training and on the job training at our units through leaders and providers.

(Anecdotal cases of your worst experience with the other side may still be applicable. 👀 )

01/26/2026

Do you ever wonder how much blood was used in WW2?

This article covers how ~26,000 casualties on Iwo Jima were supported with ~12,600 units of LTOWB across ~7,000 miles.

There are a lot of cool historical facts in here, as well as applicability to those concerned with blood and logistics in LSCO. Also, thinking about how they used LTOWB in 1944 but we used Hextend in 2010 is not lost on me.

Check out the paper and let us know what you think.
https://doi.org/10.1111/trf.70073

“Amateurs talk about tactics, but professionals study logistics.”
– General Robert H. Barrow

01/25/2026

Who uses Diclofenac Gel as a topical NSAID? Which joints do you consider, versus which do you avoid?

Should it be paired or avoided with an oral NSAID?

01/24/2026

Do shoe inserts fit into our patient care, or provide any benefit? If we have access to custom and premade ones, which are better?

Let’s discuss a consideration I’ve seen left out of a lot of lower extremity pain patients, and whether it may help prevent issues.

This is an easy win for some patients. They can be stocked at our clinics, ordered for patients through existing systems, or given at multiple different specialties that patients with chronic musculoskeletal issues get referred to (PT, Ortho, etc.)

Let us know your personal and provider experiences and preferences.

👟 Active Duty just got $1776, might be time for new running shoes. Exchange has good prices (can order online) and FleetFeet has sales online. 👟

01/23/2026

If you inspected aid bags in your unit, what medication would you find? Are medics even allowed to carry medication?

Let’s discuss how you have or would handle reporting to a unit where medics are currently not “allowed” to carry any meds, maybe Tylenol/Ibuprofen at most, (or if they are buying it themselves.)

🚨 You can not hamstring medics in Garrison, and expect them to perform alone while Deployed. 🚨

Let’s discuss what medication a medic should be able to carry, and which ones you think they should NOT, or at least need PA approval. Is Zofran an example?

Remember our sick call article on website has memo’s your PA can sign to enable medics to dispense medication IAW ADTMC and local policy at sick call. You can also have on the memo medication they can carry but only use if they call BN PA and write an SF600.

01/20/2026

If you see signs of potential ROSC on monitor while performing compressions, do you keep performing compressions until ~2 minute mark, or stop to assess pulse and optimize ROSC?

Part of the discussion is what would those signs look like? (Assuming you’re in a place with monitoring capability while performing CPR.)

01/18/2026

Do you use Docusate during Sick Call to treat constipation? Or another medication? Vote below and lets discuss data-driven medication.

Day 14 of MRE’s during a field exercise or deployment and your soldier is backed up. Perhaps your soldier is on Opioids for post-surgery recovery and coming to you with complaints.

I expect a medic treating a patient to know red flags for constipation and stomach pain in general before potentially making it worse or missing a severe issue.

Additionally, you need to know what medication failure might look like and steps you can take to get things moving again. What are some tips you have for getting it going?

01/16/2026

Who is running good “profile PT”, or other systems to turn temporarily injured/profile soldiers back to operationally ready (or even more fit than pre-injury)? Help others out below.

Is Profile PT at your unit just walking a track slowly? Slow stationary bike while texting on phone? 🐌

Is this inherently a medic task? No, it’s an NCO one and even then they don’t necessarily have exercise degrees and may “make up plans.”

However, medics will see the injured/profile patient before and after the PA, or Physical Therapist. Which means we have more opportunities to help the patients optimism for recovery and ensure they are compliant.

As an individual, we can learn to prepare our unconditioned bodies for large events or mileage increases (12-20 mile ruck) by doing 4, 6, and 8 mile workups the weeks prior on our own. As medical NCO’s we can suggest those events for our section/unit to help acclimatize new soldiers and have a lower chance of injuries.

01/13/2026

While on patrol, Private Smith presents with 2x episodes of diarrhea today and feels like he needs to go again. Do you carry Loperamide, and does he need it? Vote below.
(Let’s say the exam is benign, and patrol will take a long time until finished.)

Any medic carrying Loperamide or giving it in a Role 1 MUST be able to verbalize to Senior Medic:PA the red flags for diarrhea and stomach pain where they would not use it as it can make person worse. Feel free to name those signs and symptoms below. Bonus points if you can name the conditions they may be related to.

If this wasn’t on patrol but back at a base deployed, what changes?

Best answer gets pinned 📌

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Fort Hood, TX
76544

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http://www.nextgencombatmedic.com/

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