Page 135 - JSOM Winter 2024

An Ongoing Series

Pioneering Collaboration and Innovation in Combat Medicine

Oronzo Chiala’, PhD, MSN ; Jennifer Pregler, MD ; Anargyros Parathyras, RN ;
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Stijn Spruytte, RN ; Julian Goehring, ISTC-NSOCM ; Joseph Hartford, 18D ;
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Mike R. Hetzler, NRP ; Micheal A. Broussard, DMS, PA-C *
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Introduction FIGURE 2 ISTC Commander thanks the speakers of the ISTC
NSOCM Symposium 2024 at the end of the event.
The International Special Training Centre (ISTC) (Figure 1)
hosted the 2nd annual NSOCM Symposium in Pfullendorf,
Germany, from 2 to 4 October 2024. This meeting of distin-
guished medical minds has underlined improvements in Spe-
cial Operations medical care and will strengthen international
cooperation between Special Operations Combat Medics
(SOCMs), surgical teams (SOSTs), and medical consultants.
ISTC reaffirmed its commitment to the development of NATO
Special Operations Combat Medics (NSOCMs) as leaders in
medical readiness and innovation through the promotion of
peer-to-peer learning and expertise sharing (Figure 2).

FIGURE 1 ISTC logo. Highlights from the Symposium
The symposium included new research with related practical
case studies that highlighted the changing needs of combat
medicine, including:

• Advancing NATO Accreditation: Dr. Peter Christensen
A total of 71 health professionals from 10 NATO member described the work of NATO’s Special Operations Forces
countries participated, representing a wide range of specialties Command (SOFCOM) in standardizing NSOCM training
in both the medical and operational communities. For the sec- and underlined the importance of live tissue training and
ond consecutive year, the symposium received scientific support certification of paramedics in improving medical readiness.
from the Joint Trauma System (JTS), represented this year by • Prehospital Interventions: COL Stacy Shackelford pre-
COL Stacy Shackelford and COL Jennifer Gurney (Figure 3). sented compelling evidence on the lifesaving potential of
The symposium, moderated by Mr. Mike Hetzler, generated prehospital blood transfusions and recommended their im-
communication between SOCMs, SOSTs, and senior medical plementation within 36 minutes of injury to provide opti-
leaders. Key issues included coordination of training in support mal survival.
of modern operational environments, such as irregular warfare, • Lessons From Kabul: COL David Hardin shared lessons
large-scale combat operations, and strategic competition. from the Kabul mass casualty (MASCAL) and evacuation
*Correspondence to med04@istc-sof.org
1 OF-2 Oronzo Chiala’ is a member of Italian Army, affiliated with International Special Training Center, Pfullendorf, Germany. OF-4 Jennifer
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Pregler is a member of the German Army, affiliated with International Special Training Center, Pfullendorf, Germany. OF-2 Anargyros Parathyras
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is a member of the Hellenic Army, affiliated with International Special Training Center, Pfullendorf, Germany. OR-9 Stijn Spruytte is a member
of the Belgian Special Forces Group, affiliated with the International Special Training Centre, Pfullendorf, Germany. OR-8 Julian Goehring is
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a German SOF medic, affiliated with International Special Training Center, Pfullendorf, Germany. OR-7 Joseph Hartford is a member of the
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US 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), affiliated with International Special Training Center, Pfullendorf, Germany. Mike R. Hetzler is the co-
chair of the SOMA Medical Support to Irregular Warfare Committee and a contributing Lecturer at the University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
8 MAJ Micheal A. Broussard is a member of US Army, affiliated with International Special Training Center, Pfullendorf, Germany, and the Uni-
versity College of Cork, Cork, Ireland.
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