Battalion Surgeon

This is a detailed study about the US Army Battalion surgeon. Emphasis is devoted to the reasons the Battalion Surgeon was disestablished in the 1970-1980 timeframe, why the position was reestablished in 1984, and the implications for the future. The scope encompasses a review of the Battalion Surgeon's duties and how he has been trained, assigned and utilized since the end of World War I. The major objective of the study is to focus on the training the new Battalion Surgeon will require to perform his medical platoon leader duties. Several findings and conclusions evolved from this study: History has accentuated the need for Battalion Surgeons on the front line where the most significant improvement in mortality can be achieved; Since World War II the AMEDD has over extended itself in non-physician substitutions to alleviate physician shortages and physician reluctance to assume command and administrative assignments. As a result, physicians have lost their battlefield leadership and experience base over the past four decades; Historically, most Battalion Surgeons learned their military duties through trial and error; disastrous results were observed, and during combat this cost lives; Rhetorically, the need to provide physicians with military training has been fully recognized, yet historically, military training in the AMEDD has suffered general neglect because of the primary devotion to clinical training programs and concern over procurement and retention of physicians; History clearly reveals that the Battalion surgeon must master numerous military subjects and must be thought of and trained primarily as a soldier; and The popular belief currently practiced by the AMEDD that physicians need only a modicum of exposure, training, and experience with the line to be prepared to lead or command at any level is completely unfounded.