d. Division Artillery Surgeon and Aviation Battalion Aviation Medicine
Officer. There is a medical officer DIVARTY headquarters and in the combat aviation
battalion. The medical officers act as surgeons for their units, and their duties are
similar to those described for the brigade surgeon. In addition, the aviation battalion
medical officer is skilled in aviation medicine. The DIVARTY surgeon operates an aid
station for DIVARTY headquarters and headquarters battery.
e. Medical Platoon Leader. The platoon leader of the medical platoon in the
combat battalions and certain CS battalions serve in the dual capacity of medical
platoon leader and medical advisor to the battalion commander. NOTE: Depends on
type organization, could be MC/MSC/PA.
f. Physician Assistant. The PA (a warrant officer) is a highly skilled individual
who is not a physician, but who, by experience and formal training, has become well
qualified to perform certain patient treatment procedures formerly undertaken only by a
physician. He is either assigned to the medical platoon of a combat battalion/squadron,
where he functions as the aid station element leader under the command and
administrative supervision of the medical platoon leader, or he is assigned to the
medical section of a CS battalion as section leader. His technical treatment duties are
supervised by the command (brigade/division) surgeon.
4-9.
DENTAL SUPPORT
Dental officers assigned to the division medical company provide emergency
dental care. The senior dental officer may be designated the division dental surgeon
and serve as dental advisor to the division surgeon. During lulls in combat, routine
dental care and support for corps level units provide the division. The supporting corps
level dental unit normally designates a liaison officer to coordinate dental support with
the division surgeon.
4-10. VETERINARY SUPPORT
Veterinary support usually is provided to the division by corps level veterinary
units on an area basis. In widely dispersed or independent operations, it may be
necessary to attach veterinary personnel or units to the division. Veterinary support
includes subsistence inspection, animal care, and control of food and animal borne
diseases.
Section III. FUNCTIONS
4-11. UNIT LEVEL HEALTH SERVICE SUPPORT
a. The field health service support system begins at the unit level. In combat,
acquisition of the sick and wounded from forward locations is closely followed by
emergency medical care and evacuation, if necessary. Preventive medicine activities
are maintained throughout combat and non-combat periods. During non-combat
MD0002
4-11