LESSON 3
COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT
3-1.
INTRODUCTION
There are two general divisions of the Army fighting forces. There are those forces
directly involved in combat, in the Combat Zone (CZ) and the Communications Zone
(COMMZ). These are the Combat Arms forces. And there are also the systems of forces
that support the US Army at war. These are known as the Combat Service Support
forces. Among other support forces, there is the medical system that supports the US
Army from the Forward Line of Own Troops (FLOT) through the CONUS base. This is
known as Health Service Support (HSS). The organization that provides this support is
the AMEDD. The Veterinary Service (VS), of course, is part of the AMEDD.
3-2.
HEALTH MAINTENANCE
Maintaining a healthy, vigorous fighting force is the most effective and the least
expensive means of keeping the maximum number of soldiers ready for combat.
Prevention of illness and disease is important in overall health service support. The VS
contributes to this mission.
3-3.
VETERINARY SERVICE SUPPORT
a. The US Army VS provides veterinary support not only to all of the Army but
also to all of the Armed Forces and to all federal agencies. This support consist of:
(1) Facility sanitation inspection at commercial food sources and at
government storage facilities.
(2)
Food inspection from procurement through storage to time of issue.
(3) Veterinary medical care to government-owned animals and in support of
civic action programs.
(4)
Veterinary public health and preventive medicine measures.
b. The enlisted personnel in the Veterinary Service include the 91T, the Animal
Care Specialist, and the 91R, the Veterinary Food Inspection Specialist.
3-4.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
In a theater of operations (TO), the VS are mobile service teams. They can be
assigned to any location and to any organization where their services are required. In this
sense, the teams are flexible. However, the VS are dependent on administrative and
logistical support. The basic unit is called Medical Detachment, VS (Small).
MD0702
3-2