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2005:5(1):13 EXCERPT: Predeployment TCCC Training in SOF A last
EDUCATION AND TRAINING Steve Briggs, PA-C, and Bob item to mention is the USSOCOM message (date/time group
McCumsey, EMT-P, IDMT 222016Z March 05) on the topic of Tactical Combat Casu-
alty Care (TCCC) training and equipment. The TCCC Tran-
EXCERPT: We are working hard on several training initiatives: sition Initiative has been providing deploying SOF units who
1. Captain Butler’s main effort is the Tactical Combat Casu- request it with TCCC training and newly-recommended com-
alty Care (TCCC) Transition Initiative. This BISC-funded bat trauma equipment for the last six months. There has been
project actively ensures all SOF deploying units have the lat- recent congressional and DoD-level interest in this topic that
est equipment, know how to use it, and are fully proficient has made it evident that we need to ensure that everyone de-
in TCCC before departing. ploying in support of combat operations has this training and
2. The Curriculum Examination Board (CEB) is assembling an equipment prior to departure. Current CENTCOM guidance
EMT-P (SOF) certification examination. already calls for every combatant to have a Combat Applica-
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3. With the help of the CEB and the component surgeons’ tion Tourniquet (CATS ) and a hemostatic dressing in the
offices, our office has developed over 40 Tactical Medical Central Command area of operations. Implied in their require-
emergency protocols for the SOCM. ment is the need for everyone to also be trained in the appro-
4. Another portal for information is the USSOCOM medical priate indications for and use of these devices. The USSOCOM
web page. We hope to put important, pertinent educational message establishes a SOF requirement for this equipment and
information on it so we can get the information out to the training, as well as the other measures outlined in the current
field. TCCC guidelines contained in Chapter 16 of the PHTLS Man-
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5. Part of our responsibility is to listen to our readers and ual (Hextend as a resuscitation fluid, battlefield antibiotics,
to the medics. Many have expressed their opinion on the etc.). The training needs to be provided for all unit personnel –
USSOCOM credentialing card. Specifically, “for what pur- there is no guarantee that there will be a medic available to
pose are we putting individual pictures on the USSOCOM treat every casualty sustained on Special Operations missions.
cards?” Below is a copy of the new proposed card. Let us The goal is no preventable deaths occurring in wounded SOF
know what you think! personnel. A point of emphasis with respect to this message is
6. As you can see, we propose to change the name of the that there is not a requirement for every deploying SOF unit
SOCM to the Advanced Tactical Practitioner (ATP). Many to obtain their TCCC training through the Institute for Surgi-
senior enlisted personnel endorse the change. Initial feed- cal Research (ISR) training teams employed by the Transition
back appears positive! Initiative. Many SOF units have established their own TCCC
training cells and courses (the Rangers come immediately to
2005:5(1):15–17 mind) and don’t need an outside assist. The ISR TCCC Tran-
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT sition Initiative team is there for the SOF units that need it.
USSOCOM Biomedical Initiatives Steering Committee (BISC)
Mr. Bob Clayton, SVERDRUP 2005;5(2):5–6
COMPONENT SURGEON, USASOC Rocky Farr, MD COL,
EXCERPT: SOF MEDICAL TRAINING PRESENTATIONS USA Command Surgeon
Add presentations on heat injuries, Tactical Combat Casualty
Care (TCCC) for SOF, and any other BISC-recommended EXCERPT: Another training opportunity is the Tactical Com-
presentations to the SOF Mission Performance Enhancement bat Casualty Care Committee’s (TCCC) “just-in-time train-
Training CD. Deliverable is the production and distribution of ing” for deploying units. There is a message from USSOCOM
the updated CDs. that states that the TCCC concepts will be used in this com-
mand and those units without an “internal program” may
CAUSES OF DEATH IN COMBAT CASUALTIES IN OIF want to use this Institute of Surgical Research (ISR) based team
AND OEF Review all casualties sustained in OEF/OIF, deter- to complete these requirements. Feel free to discuss this with
mine cause of death for all fatalities, and discuss what TCCC my training office. The Army and CENTCOM are starting
measures might have prevented the fatalities. Deliverable is a to mandate the carrying of tourniquets in theater; we do live
research report addressing the above issues. in interesting times. The TCCC training brings new medical
EFFICACY OF OXYGEN ADMINISTRATION IN THE items with them. One comment concerning live tissue train-
CASEVAC PHASE OF TCCC Compare data from combat ing (which is going well): The USASOC Commanding General
casualties with available data from patients with comparable has issued a policy letter quite some time ago that requires all
injuries to determine the efficacy of oxygen therapy during the such training be approved through USASOC at some level (see
CASEVAC phase of TCCC. Deliverables are a research report USASOC and/or USASFC 350-1 also). That includes going to
suitable for publication and specific recommendations to sub- another command’s LTT, another service’s LTT, and civilian
stantiate a change in SOF medical protocols. courses with LTT also.
TCCC TECHNOLOGY TRANSITION INITIATIVE Con- 2005;5(3):6–7
duct combat evaluation trials of new TCCC equipment being
fielded by deploying SOF units and gather user feedback when COMPONENT SURGEON, USASOC Rocky Farr, MD COL,
the units return. Deliverable is a research report stating spe- USA Command Surgeon
cific results and recommendations suitable for publication in EXCERPT: Medical equipment fielding continues to be ongo-
the peer-reviewed literature. ing. The individual SOF aid kits are out and either have chi-
tosan and a tourniquet or are being linked up with those items
2005;5(2):1–2 in theater. POC: MAJ Sully (sullyh@soc.mil). MSG Rodriguez,
FROM THE SURGEON Frank Butler, MD, CAPT, USN, HQ MSG Troxler, and I have just attended the AUSA Medical
USSOCOM Command Surgeon Symposium. It is very interesting to see how the conventional

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