c. Headquarters element personnel may also perform additional duties in the aid
station or evacuation elements.
d. The headquarters element is concerned with two types of supply--general
supply for the platoon and medical supply for the entire battalion.
(1) General supply. The battalion headquarters company and the battalion
S4 provide general supplies for the medical platoon.
(2) Medical supply. Medical supplies are obtained in response to requests
submitted to the Division Medical Supply Officer (DMSO) at the medical battalion
headquarters. In a combat situation, the availability of a formal requesting document
may be limited; therefore, the request may be submitted on any document that
adequately describes the item(s). Supply channels remain the same during both
combat and non-combat situations. Requests are forwarded to the DMSO or to the
medical supply point established at the rearmost division treatment station. Requests
may be carried by air or ground evacuation vehicles or transmitted via radio or
telephone to the DMSO or supply point. Supplies may be picked up by aid station
personnel or delivered via returning air or ground evacuation vehicles. Request and re-
supply channels will be established by the DMSO.
(3) Property exchange. When a patient is evacuated by Army evacuation
means from one Army combat zone medical facility to another, it is necessary that
medical items of equipment such as blankets, litters, and splints remain with the patient
during evacuation. In order to prevent rapid and unnecessary depletion of these
supplies and equipment, the receiving agency exchanges like property with the
transferring agency. This procedure is implemented to the fullest extent possible
through all levels of patient evacuation within the combat zone.
4-16. EMPLOYMENT OF THE AIDMAN ELEMENT
a. The aidman element consists of medical aidmen who support the companies,
as required. Aidmen are normally allocated to infantry battalions on the basis of one per
rifle platoon, plus one additional aidman per rifle company; to armored cavalry
squadrons and combat engineer battalions on the basis of three per cavalry troop and
per combat engineer company; and to artillery and tank battalions on the basis of one
per battery (company). Aidmen should be selected from among the most experienced
and capable individuals available to the unit. Only under emergency circumstances
should newly assigned and untrained individuals be given this role. When in combat,
aidmen remain with supported units; however, when the unit is not engaged, aidmen
return to the control of the medical platoon (section). The continuous support of combat
personnel by medical personnel is a major factor in maintaining morale of the fighting
troops.
MD0002
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