1-22. MEDICAL SUPPLY AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT IN A THEATER OF
OPERATIONS
a. Medical supply and maintenance support is considered to be an integral part
of the health services delivery system. As such, units providing this support throughout
the TO are under the operational control of the command surgeon at each level. Since
medical units are the principal beneficiaries of medical supply and maintenance support,
these services are completely oriented and responsive to these consumers and the
entire medical supply system is geared to provide priority service. Consequently,
medical supply organizations are located in close proximity to medical units rather than
to tactical forces as is the case with direct or general support, general supply elements.
In the TO, the number and concentration of medical units increase rearward; therefore,
quantities of medical supplies consumed and the density of medical equipment to be
maintained are inverse to that of other services with respect to the depth of the
battlefield.
b. Major users of medical supplies receive their supplies from their supporting
MEDSOM unit. Generally, one MEDSOM is allocated to each Corps in the combat
zone and additional MEDSOM's are assigned to the medical command in the
c. Major user's of medical supplies (such as medical battalions and hospitals) in
both the combat zone and the communications zone receive their medical supply
support directly from the supporting MEDSOM. Support is usually on a supply point
basis with the unit picking up medical supplies from the supporting MEDSOM. Where
necessary, transportation assets from the corps or theater Army transportation unit
deliver supplies to major users. Medical supply, optical, and maintenance's receive the
majority of their supplies directly from the National ICP in CONUS (DPSC). Large
volume customers (such as hospitals) may receive their supplies from CONUS via
throughput distribution. Medical supply support to smaller volume users is generally
provided on an area support basis with units drawing support from a designated major
medical unit in their area.
NOTE: Throughput--the direct delivery of supplies from the depot to the using unit--is
the most desirable distribution method where practical.
MD0029
1-19