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25. Trueta J. The treatment of war fractures by the closed method: MAJ Stinner, USA, is with the San Antonio Military Medi-
(section of surgery). Proc R Soc Med. 1939;33:65–74. cal Center, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
26. Beebe GW, Debakey ME. Battle casualties: incidence, mor-
tality, and logistic considerations. Ann Intern Med. 1953;38: Dr Wenke is with the US Army Institute of Surgical Research,
1345–1346. Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
27. Watson F. The life of Sir Robert Jones. London, UK: Hodder
& Stoughton; 1934.
28. Owens BD, Wenke JC, Svoboda SJ, et al. Extremity trauma Dr Orman is with the US Army Institute of Surgical Research,
research in the United States Army. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
2006;14:S37–S40.
Dr Kragh is a researcher of bleeding control at the USAISR.
He is an orthopedic surgeon who was the 3d Ranger Battal-
ion Surgeon from 1990 to 1993. He is an associate professor,
CPT Nam, USA, is a physician with a Special Operations Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the
Resuscitation Team, 528th Sustainment Brigade (SO) (A), Fort Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.
Bragg, North Carolina. E-mail: jason.nam@socom.mil.
CPT Do, USA, is at the Madigan Army Medical Center, Joint
Base Lewis-McChord, Fort Lewis, Washington.

Special Forces Aidman’s Pledge
As a Special Forces Aidman of the United States Army, I pledge my honor and my conscience to
the service of my country and the art of medicine. I recognize the responsibility, which may be
placed upon me for the health, and even lives, of others. I confess the limitation of my skill and
knowledge in the caring for the sick and injured. I promise to follow the maxim “Primum non-nocere”
(“First, thou shalt do no harm”), and to seek the assistance of more competent medical authority
whenever it is available. These confidences, which come to me in my attendance on the sick, I will
treat as secret. I recognize my responsibility to impart to others who seek the service of medicine such
knowledge of its art and practice as I possess, and I resolve to continue to improve my capability to
this purpose. As an American Soldier, I have determined ultimately to place above all considerations
of self the mission of my team and the cause of my nation.

Pararescue Creed
I was that which others did not want to be. I went where others feared to go, and did what others
failed to do. I asked nothing from those who gave nothing, And reluctantly accepted the thought of
eternal loneliness . . . should I fail. I have seen the face of terror; felt the stinging cold of fear, and
enjoyed the sweet taste of a moment's love. I have cried, pained, and hoped . . . but most of all, I
have lived times others would say best forgotten. Always I will be able to say, that I was proud of
what I was: a PJ. It is my duty as a Pararescueman to save a life and to aid the injured. I will perform
my assigned duties quickly and efficiently, placing these duties before personal desires and comforts.
These things I do, “That Others May Live.”

A Navy Poem
I’m the one called “doc” . . . I shall not walk in your footsteps, but I will walk by your side. I shall not
walk in your image, I’ve earned my own title of pride. We’ve answered the call together, on sea and
foreign land. When the cry for help was given, I’ve been there right at hand. Whether I am on the
ocean or in the jungle wearing greens, Giving aid to my fellow man, be it Sailors or Marines. So the
next time you see a corpsman and you think of calling him “squid,” think of the job he’s doing as
those before him did. And if you ever have to go out there and your life is on the block, Look at the one
right next to you . . . I’m the one called “doc.”
—Harry D. Penny, Jr. USN Copyright 1975

66 Journal of Special Operations Medicine Volume 17, Edition 1/Spring 2017