Page 147 - JSOM Spring 2020

An Ongoing Series

Role of NATO Special Operations Combat Medics
in Special Operations Surgical Teams

Katsafouros Konstantinos, NSOCM

ABSTRACT
Battlefield medicine is constantly evolving. Wound patterns, teams that will undertake missions with higher risk knowing
terrain, weapons, and medical evacuation change, so surgical that advanced care is present.
capabilities must adapt. With the changing environment, we
must evolve by adapting to offer the best practical care, closest The goal of this report is to present research and facts proving
to the frontline. The golden hour has never been a magical the opportunity and worth of an NSOCM to be a member of
number, and the most successful care is provided by the most a SOST, the necessity of both capabilities within the medical
advanced practitioners as close to the point of injury as possi- chain of Special Operations for all countries, and the synergy
ble. The proper placement and access of surgical teams are a possible in both medical care and operational contribution
key factor in access to a casualty within minutes. NATO Spe- when accomplished.
cial Operations combat medics (NSOCMs) are highly trained
medical Operators who can work as a force multiplier, not The hypothesis here is based on the consideration stated:
only to the Special Operations elements in which they serve What capabilities are already present that can be used to cre-
but also as members of a Special Operations surgical team ate a more efficient asset? As Andre Leiber, a German military
(SOST), and these Soldiers can provide the essential skills nec- surgeon stated: “What is now possible, what is now impossi-
essary to best employ and support the surgical asset. ble, what is possible in the future, what is necessary to do for
the best level of care for injured operators in absence of role 2
Keywords: military medicine; environment; NATO Special MTF for some hours.”
Operations combat medic; NSOCM
There is a role for an NSOCM on a SOST, and there is a ne-
cessity for both to be studied for team potential. I cite existing
knowledge and attempt to fill in the gaps by providing solu-
Introduction
tions and benefits with an overall outcome, which has nothing
Over recent years, the necessity for a higher provision of care more than the simple goal of saving lives on the battlefield.
of wounded combatants within Special Operation Forces
(SOF) occurred due to the adaption of damage control the- Research Method
ory and the character of low-intensity conflict. Advanced
medical training for nonmedical personnel developed rapidly The findings were constructed by interviewing SOST person-
during the past two decades and has culminated with today’s nel, NSOCMs, and medical professionals throughout Europe
NSOCMs as well as mobile assets such as the SOST concept and the United States. Research was conducted through pub-
with an overall objective to minimize the preventable deaths lished works on the subject of Special Operations combat
on the battlefield. medics and mobile surgical teams for initial analysis, and then
questionnaires were sent to identified personnel with excep-
NSOCMs are trained to a specific scope of practice, and they tional expertise and experience supporting Special Operations
must be able to treat specified medical emergencies in austere in the austere environment with a mix of roles. Personal inter-
environment within this scope, even if for a prolonged period views were then conducted after receipt of the returned written
of time. 1 questionnaire for greater detail and perspective.
SOSTs have the unique mission to perform Advanced Trauma Background
2–9
Life Support, surgical stabilization, and limited postoperative
critical care in support of Special Operations. The presence of Studies and lessons learned from the recent battlefield experi-
those teams on the battlefield has additionally created more ences showed that SOCMs have worked as the force multipli-
confidence and more capability to SOF commanders and ers providing the teams with expanded therapeutic capacity
SGT Konstantinos is a student at the University College Cork in Ireland (course/program bachelor’s of science “HONS” in paramedic studies).

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