For the Navy SEALs to do their work in the often dangerous conditions, they rely on Navy SEAL medics for treatment, if necessary.
The Navy SEALS operate independently and often must rely only on only themselves for combat support.
Therefore, SEALs must have medics that can triage and give immediate care until the time of evacuation.
A combat medic must have the fortitude to respond calmly to chaos in crisis in incredibly dangerous situations.
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1. What Do Navy SEAL Medics Do?
Navy SEAL medics handle tactical combat casualty care along with what you would expect from emergency medical services.
Navy SEAL medics focus on trauma and are tactically capable of providing medical care in a crisis.
Also, it is essential to note Navy SEAL medics have training in more than one area.
The SEAL medic is also a qualified operator in other areas on the SEAL team.
Therefore, a Navy SEAL medic has the flexibility to perform with more than one designation, which makes the SEAL team even more capable and flexible.
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2. Navy SEAL Medic Requirements
To become a SEAL medic, you must complete the Special Operations Combat Medic (SOCM) course.
The SOCM course is 36 weeks long, and the program has eight classes a year.
The Special Operations Combat Medic Course intends to teach the combat medic enough skills to manage casualties in a combat situation.
The physical requirements for the SEAL Medic training are you cannot be in the middle of needing medical attention before attending the school. Therefore, all ongoing treatment must be complete beforehand.
Also, you must be recommended by your command to attend.
Afterward, SEAL medics must complete regular and ongoing training to stay on top of relevant skills and needs.
3. Navy SEAL Medic Training
To become a Navy SEAL Medic, you must attend complete the SOCM course.
Also, the school location is Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
The SOCM course takes those with little to no medical experience and teaches them the fundamental skills needed for combat medicine.
Navy SEAL Medics take the 36-week program to learn how to handle combat trauma and tactical casualties.
Medics learn the entire continuum of care from the moment of the injury until evacuation to a facility.
It is also vital to note combat medics learn, during their training, a tremendous amount of skills beyond basic medical and life-saving tactics.
A combat medic learns the dangers of battle.
These dangers include sanitization in unsanitary conditions.
Also, medics must be aware of chemical and biological warfare while performing life-saving techniques.
Medical Fundamentals
The first seven weeks of training covers pharmacy, anatomy, terminology, and basic techniques related to physical exams, to name just a few.
Special Operation Combat Medic Trauma Training
The next seven weeks of training include basic life support and how to manage an obstructed airway.
Also, students train to manage trauma emergencies, trauma tasks, dive medicine, and operating room procedures.
Students also learn advanced trauma skills and minor surgical skills.
Furthermore, you can expect to learn pediatric and cardiac emergencies during the trauma modules.
Clinicals
For the next four weeks, medics are in a clinical intern rotation at Level 1 Trauma Centers to work in an ambulance and the hospital.
Students work with the emergency department, surgical care, pediatric, labor and delivery, pediatrics, and the operating room during these rotations.
Military Medicine
The final three weeks of training is learning to handle the routine care of patients who are ill.
In these weeks, you will work under the supervision of a doctor or a physician’s assistant.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
We address some frequently asked questions about becoming a Navy SEAL Medic below.
4. What Are the Benefits of Becoming a SEAL Medic?
A SEAL medic is a well-trained soldier, and that leads to numerous benefits.
The training itself leads to many options as a civilian.
Also, the distinction of being a SEAL operator with a medical designation will make you a critical member of the team.
5. How Much Does a Navy SEAL Medic Make?
a Navy SEAL makes as much money as anyone else in the Navy regarding base pay.
The Navy considers time in rate and rank as well as the number of years in service.
Also, this amount adjusts depending on your status as an enlisted member or officer.
However, the SEALs do receive hazard pay.
Also, they qualify for passing a test to be eligible for the SEALs and another for completing the training.
6. What is the Difference Between a Navy Corpsman and Medic?
The Navy calls their medics corpsmen after the U.S. Navy’s Hospital Corps.
A Corpsman serves with the Navy or the Marines and works on ships and in clinical settings.
A SEAL medic is still a SEAL who operates in the unit as a combat medic.
7. What Kinds of Job Opportunities Does a Navy SEAL Medic Have After Service?
A SEAL operator with a medic designation earns credits toward a medical degree.
Also, a combat medic can take a test to become a paramedic as a civilian.
Many combat medics take a few extra classes to become Physician Assistants.
Also, they could go into nursing.
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Conclusion
SEAL teams work independently and often without support.
Because of this, they must handle their own needs in dangerous situations.
A SEAL often has another designation allowing them to serve their unit in other capacities.
Therefore, a SEAL may attend the Special Operations Combat Training Couse to be a SEAL Combat Medic.
Once trained and working as a medic, there is ongoing training to maintain the skills necessary to serve in this capacity.
However, all of the training translates well into the civilian world.
A combat medic can take a test for a licensed paramedic.
Other medics take a few extra classes to become a Physician Assistant or even go into nursing.
References:
Born and raised in Woodbridge, NJ, he graduated from the New Jersey Institute Of Technology with an MBA in eCommerce.His hobbies include beach volleyball, target shooting, and lifting.
Rob is also a Commercially rated pilot and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), with over 1,500 hours of flight time.
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