(2) Second, the maximum number of personnel is returned to duty within the
combat zone in order to conserve the fighting strength.
c. Reinforcement. As the medical operator for corps, the medical brigade or
group commander has the responsibility and capability in the form of individuals and
units to reinforce the health service support of division and corps units. He has the
authority to shift health service resources to influence the medical situation at any point
in place or time within the combat zone.
d. Medical Supply. The corps level medical supply system receives medical
supplies and equipment through the COMMZ and; therefore, issues required items to
division and corps units. The corps level medical supply unit is a MEDSOM unit combat
zone (TOE 8-287). The MEDSOM unit combat zone also provides limited supplies for
use in civil affairs activities.
e. Medical Maintenance. The MEDSOM unit (combat zone) repairs medical
equipment used in the combat zone. This support ranges from repair of litters to repair
of complicated medical electronic equipment such as x-ray machines.
f. Optical Service. This service is performed by the MEDSOM unit combat
zone to keep the fighting man from having to go too far to the rear for spectacle repair
and fabrication.
g. Disease Control. Physical fitness is a critical factor in the combat efficiency
of troops. History is full of instances wherein battles were lost because troops were
immobilized by disease. Prevention of disease and injury is a formidable and important
task at corps level. There is need for direction and technical supervision of efforts for
the prevention of disease and protection of troops from health hazards.
h. Veterinary Service. This service concerns the control of foodborne and
zoonotic diseases, treatment, hospitalization and dispensary service for military
animals, inspection and supervision relative to food products, and those preventive
medicine activities assigned by the responsible surgeon. These services are provided
on an area basis by TOE 8-680 teams consisting of veterinary hospital, dispensary, and
food inspection teams commanded and controlled by veterinary headquarters teams of
the AMEDD.
i. Laboratory Service. Corps level health service support includes general
laboratory services to support preventive medicine and veterinary units and activities, as
well as to provide consulting service to and supplement the capabilities of division and
corps medical facilities. This task involves the full range of laboratory activities:
research investigations; epidemiological; clinical and histopathological examinations,
j. Dental Service. The dental service within Army divisions is emergency in
nature. Corps provides emergency dental service as required plus complete routine
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