Page 114 - Journal of Special Operations Medicine - Spring 2014

from the
SEMA

“The Ground Truth” The majority of the SOMSA agenda
was filled with SOF Medic-centric
Special Operations Medical &
Scientific Assembly (SOMSA) MSG Harold R. Montgomery and related topics along with lectures
related to the overall care of SOF
So, this is being written a few weeks USSOCOM warriors. Of special note was that
after the SOMSA event conducted in Senior Enlisted Medical Advisor the sessions in which an SOF Medic/
December 2013. SOMSA, formerly Corpsman/PJ was the presenter were
and more commonly referred to as the essentially standing-room only audi-
SOMA conference, is our first major step in a slightly ences. This says a lot about how much we want and
new way of doing things. The chief new part is playing prefer to hear from the SOF Medics themselves. These
by the rules. I completely understand how averse SOF is have been and are the presentations that have driven
to playing by the rules, but if we want this event or ones and will drive requirements. Many of the industry and
like it, then we must play by a certain set of rules. There R&D representatives use the SOF Medic presentations
is a culmination of perfect storm events that is chang- as their critical information tool to fulfill the require-
ing how we must conduct “conference”-type events ments that we all need.
involving any government personnel and especially De-
partment of Defense personnel. From sequestration, to A few sessions and engagements of special note were the
known budget cuts, to force draw-downs, to scrutiny Extended Care Workshops, Second-Half Initiative, Dr.
due to infractions and conduct by government employ- Dave Grossman’s “Bulletproof Mind,” and sessions on
ees across the spectrum, there is a litany of reasons why how military TCCC lessons learned are transitioning to
change is upon us. Most importantly, we must play by the civilian healthcare world.
the rules!
The Extended Care Workshops helped to energize the
reemergence of the classic requirement of an SOF Medic
First, let’s review the 2013 SOMSA event . . .
managing a casualty or casualties for a prolonged pe-
riod of time. Members of the workshop panel and at-
The 2013 Special Operations Medical & Scientific As-
sembly was conducted on 14–17 December 2013 at the tendees brought up several requirements that must be
Tampa Convention Center and was co-sponsored by the addressed to enhance the training and capabilities of
Special Operations Medical Association (SOMA) and SOF Medics to accommodate long evacuation scenarios
the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). for both trauma and medical patients. This is not a new
There were a little over 1700 total attendees to the requirement for SOF Medics, but it is one that has not
event. Below is a breakdown of attendees: been on the “been there, done that” list of OEF/OIF.
Generally, we have had very quick evacuations in both
U.S. SOF personnel 220 Iraq and Afghanistan for the injured and ill. The SOF
International SOF/medical 175 operations of the emerging missions do not have quick
(24 nations) evacuations. Partly as a result of the workshops, an SOF
U.S. interagency 59 Extended Care Working Group has been established to
Other DoD personnel 214 evaluate the requirements and changes needed in train-
Academia 60 ing, equipment, capabilities, protocols, and procedures.
Civilian EMS/rescue/law enforcement 155 This group is being led by COL Sean Keenan (10th
Industry/exhibitors 523 SFG), LTC Brian Krakover (5th SFG), and MSG Justin
Civilian healthcare 239 Ball (USASOC) to coordinate the initial working group
Other 70 efforts.

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