Photo By Sgt. Cheryl Madolev | U.S. Soldiers assigned to Regional Command-East of the NATO-led Kosovo Force mission,...... read more read more
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For every mission or training exercise held at Camp Bondsteel and throughout the area of operations of Kosovo Force, also known as KFOR, you will find combat medics present and ready to respond to medical needs. The combat medic Soldiers, also known by their military occupational speciality as 68W’s, are responsible for a variety of tasks including the day-to-day operations of the clinics within the KFOR camps.
The missions and operations in Kosovo would not be possible without the support of Task Force Medical and their team of combat medics.
Maintaining proficiency and skills is important, especially in a deployed environment. Soldiers working as a combat medic must recertify every other year to maintain the requirements of their 68W military occupational specialty, or MOS. In order to meet this requirement, Soldiers with KFOR Regional Command - East’s Task Force Medical team hosted a recertification training on Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, Jan. 7, 2025.
U.S. Army Sgt. Andrew Poe, Charlie Company, 141st Brigade Support Battalion, Oregon Army National Guard, organized the event and speaks of his mission in Kosovo and portions of the planning that was involved in preparation for the recertification event.
“Task Force Med's mission is to provide health service support and force health prevention to the U.S. Soldiers in the Balkans region,” said Poe. “As the 68W recertification NCO, I made numerous preparations, such as cross referencing with the regulations, ensuring proper scenarios and ensuring the participants had time to study the criteria for the hands-on Table Eight training.”
There are eight tables of training coordinated with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, also referred to as NREMT, that combat medics must undergo to ensure competence on the most current evidence-based medicine and treatments. Table eight is the skills qualification portion and involves trauma and medical scenarios encompassing tables 1-7 of training.
U.S. Army Capt. Andrew Medina, 148th Brigade Support Battalion, Georgia Army National Guard, is the officer in charge of the Task Force Medical clinic at Camp Bondsteel. Medina says that the NREMT recertification is essential to ensuring the combat medics are providing the best possible care to Soldiers in the field. He knows the Soldiers on his team are multifaceted and prepared for their ongoing mission in Kosovo.
“Our medics are versatile Soldiers,” said Medina. “They possess extensive knowledge and skills in Tactical Combat Casualty Care, and are trained to perform various clinical functions including taking x-rays, conducting laboratory tests, and assisting other departments.”
The Soldiers who recertified during the event were required to wear full combat gear and engage with role-players as though they were real patients experiencing a medical emergency.
Meanwhile, their skills and responses were being observed and graded.
U.S. Army Sgt. Scott Miller, 141st Brigade Support Battalion, Oregon Army National Guard, was recertified during the event and says he has enjoyed working at the clinic, and working during events in Kosovo that have allowed him to meet international Allies and partners. He reiterated the importance of training and maintaining his skills.
“Whether doing medical lanes or trauma, the practice helps keep our skills sharp,” said Miller. “Emergencies have no schedule, so like the motto of the Guard, we've got to be always ready and always there!"
| Date Taken: | 01.07.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 01.17.2025 10:17 |
| Story ID: | 489170 |
| Location: | CAMP BONDSTEEL, ZZ |
| Web Views: | 30 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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