Emergency War Surgery NATO Handbook: Part III: General Considerations of Wound Management: Chapter XIV: War Surgery Within the Division
United States Department of Defense
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Unit and division level medical officers are the most forward physicians on the battlefield. As such, their role is to facilitate accomplishment of the mission of the tactical elements to which they are assigned or support. Their greatest contribution to mission success is usually the maintenance of the health of the command. The efforts of all members of the combat health care delivery team must be ongoing at all times and not just during episodic battles. In war, the unit and division level medical officer's impact on the army's fighting strength is determined more by his efforts to maintain the health of the command than by his efforts to save life and limb. To accomplish this objective, unit and division level medical officers must establish direct dialogue with their line unit commander, as failure to communicate can result in an inordinately high loss of duty days and jeopardize the mission. In summary, unit or division level medical officers must go to whatever lengths possible to be certain that they and their medics are well trained; that their equipment is adequate, appropriate, and well maintained; that resupply is available; that medical support planning for tactical operations is meticulous; and that they and their unit are flexible in their responses to rapidly evolving tactical situations.
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