Page 115 - Journal of Special Operations Medicine - Spring 2014

The Second-Half Initiative sessions were a new program Expansion of the Global SOF
that focuses on informing our SOF enlisted medical Medical Network through SOMSA
force of opportunities toward pursuing medical profes- The 2013 SOMSA was the epitome of how we can use
sional education and careers. The sessions presented such an event to expand the global SOF medical network.
various avenues toward becoming physicians, physician SOMSA is a hinge-pin event at which many spokes and
assistants, physical therapists, and nurse practitioners. hubs of the SOF medical network converge in a single
This will be an enduring event for those interested. This location. The magic of SOMSA is that it provides not
is a critical investment in SOF medicine for our experi- only a location but also a focus and an opportunity for
enced SOF enlisted force to become a different and im- all levels of the network to communicate. At SOMSA,
portant facet of our future. The ability to tap into a pool there is discussion and coordination at the team medic
of future medical professionals with SOF qualifications level and at the command surgeon level. The key is at
and experience is a win-win situation for the force and each level; we have the opportunity to discuss and co-
the individuals.
ordinate between SOF units, components, services, in-
teragency, civilian healthcare, and internationally. It is
LTC Dave Grossman, PhD, has captured many of us important that our network reaches to and from our
with his ability to connect with a group and make them international partners as well as the civilian EMS and
think about themselves and those around them. Much of law enforcement community. SOMSA provides the op-
his discussion involves methods to acknowledge that we portunity for the network to communicate requirements
need to manage our combat-induced stresses, traumas, to the RDT&E and academia realms of both the civilian
and emotions. More importantly, he teaches methods to and military worlds.
actually manage our issues in some of the simplest ways
like breathing and being better prepared for our reac- SOMSA provides the opening for the network to foster
tions to events. I encourage anyone who has not heard relationships that develop into persistent engagement.
him speak or read his books to do so. As SOF medical A global SOF medical network that flourishes will do
professionals and warriors, the lessons presented can so because of the active synchronization and rendez-
help ourselves and help us to be better caregivers to our vous of all the network participants. The network must
operator patients.
provide all involved a chance both to contribute and to
take away. SOMSA provides the hub; it is up to all of
Novel Concepts through SOMSA us participants to grow and use the network to support
our mutual interests. The fact that the number of inter-
Simply put, SOMSA, and historically SOMA, has been national SOMSA attendees was nearly the same as U.S.
a critical launching point of novel concepts that within SOF this year is incredible. If we can maintain and even
a short time become common practice. For those who increase such a ratio, then we are successfully becom-
were there, we can recall a good idea known as TCCC ing the global SOF medical network that we all need to
that has had some significant change in and impact on counter threats and take care of our teams.
how we all do business for combat casualties. That
started at SOMA. SOMSA is the perfect venue to bring
forth the good ideas and novel concepts, especially when USSOCOM-SOMSA Way Ahead
they are solving very specific SOF problems.
This was the first year of official co-sponsorship of the
event between SOMA and USSOCOM. Many might
A novel concept that could have a long reach into the have assumed such co-sponsorship had always existed.
management of combat-related PTSD was the stellate By the letter of the law, it did not. That is not to say it
ganglion block being championed by CDR Sean Mul- was done illegally or through misconduct; it was simply
vaney, LTC Jim Lynch, and CDR Matt Hickey. This not in accordance with the governing regulations. That
medical procedure has already demonstrated a 70% said, many of the governing regulations have been pub-
clinical significant improvement in SOF Operators, al- lished or received significant updates within the past 2
lowing them to get back into the fight. The conclusion years. So, things are going to be executed differently no
can be drawn that the procedure can assist highly trained matter how it was done in the past.
and experienced SOF warriors coping with the burdens
of combat to continue their role as high-functioning The stimulus for all conference and symposia endeavors
team members. Though not a magic pill cure, this is a to be scrutinized and restricted was a directive memo-
potential big tool in the tool bag to help our guys get randum issued by the President’s Office of Manage-
through problems and back to full duty. I highly recom- ment and Budget (OMB). OMB Memorandum 11-35,
mend those interested get in touch with the docs listed “Eliminating Excess Conference Spending and Promot-
above and look into how this program could work in ing Efficiency in Government,” focused on eliminating
your organizations.

From the SEMA 107