HSS Elements Within the USMC

Vocabulary flashcards covering the components, structure, capabilities, and principles of Health Service Support (HSS) within the USMC Operating Forces (MEF, MAW, MARDIV, and MLG).

Health Service Support (HSS)

A process that delivers on-demand healthcare capabilities to the warfighter for a healthy, fit, and medically ready force by countering health threats and providing critical casualty care.

HSS Mission

To minimize the effects that wounds, injuries, and disease have on unit effectiveness, readiness, and morale through proactive preventive medicine and an established care system from point of injury to the appropriate echelon.

Conformity

The HSS principle requiring that the medical plan must integrate and comply with the commander’s plan.

Continuity

The HSS principle requiring the medical plan to provide optimum, uninterrupted care and treatment to the wounded, injured, and sick.

Coordination

The HSS principle requiring that short-supply HSS resources are efficiently employed and used effectively to support planned operations.

Flexibility

The HSS principle requiring the medical plan to shift HSS resources to meet changing requirements.

Mobility

The HSS principle requiring the medical plan to anticipate requirements for rapid movement of HSS units to support combat forces during operations.

Proximity

The HSS principle requiring the medical plan to provide HSS as close to combat operations as the tactical situation permits.

MEF Surgeon

Special staff officer who advises the MEF commander on the health of the command, medical logistics, patient movement, OEH activities, health threat assessments, disease surveillance, medical intelligence, and HSS planning.

Flight Surgeon

A special staff officer to the commander who is responsible for aeromedical safety and HSS functions for the command.

Flight Line Aid Station (FLAS)

A Role 1 care station within the MAW established to provide medical care above the self/buddy aid level, staffed by a Flight Surgeon and Hospital Corpsmen.

Battalion Aid Station (BAS)

A Role 1 care capability within the MARDIV established to provide care above self-aid/buddy aid, staffed by a medical officer, physician assistant, Independent Duty Corpsman (IDC), and Hospital Corpsmen.

BAS Section Organization

Divided into two sections: one section lands with the battalion combat train providing in-close support to the assault force, while the second lands with the field train establishing interim evacuation stations.

Health Service Support Officer (HSSO)

Staff officer who develops MLG HSS plans and coordinates support for GCE and ACE units requiring medical and dental capabilities exceeding their organic assets.

Medical Logistics Company (MEDLOGCO)

An MLG unit that maintains Class VIII medical equipment for centralized acquisition, storage, and stock rotation, building AMAL/ADAL sets to resupply MEF HSS units.

Dental Battalion

An MLG battalion providing field dental services to the MEF, primarily focused in an operational environment on dental health maintenance and emergency care.

Medical Battalion

An MLG battalion organized to provide initial resuscitative HSS to the MAGTF above organic capabilities, with the primary mission of performing emergency procedures to prevent loss of life, limb, or eyesight.

Surgical Company

A Medical Battalion component consisting of a headquarters section and surgical platoons with an FRSS, STPs, lab, x-ray, holding ward, ERCS, and an ambulance section (2 vehicles) for 24-hour operations.

Forward Resuscitative Surgical System (FRSS)

One of the smallest medical units providing resuscitative trauma care and damage-control surgery when surgical companies ashore or CRTS facilities are unavailable.

FRSS Operating Capacity

A core surgical capability able to perform approximately 18 salvage surgical procedures or 20 trauma resuscitations over 48 hours without resupply or personnel relief.

FRSS Personnel Composition

Composed of 8 personnel: 2 surgeons, 1 anesthesiologist, 1 critical care nurse, 1 independent duty corpsman (surgery/emergency room), 1 Field Medical Service Technician, and 2 operating room technicians.

Shock Trauma Platoon (STP)

The most mobile medical support platoon in the Medical Battalion, capable of serving as a battalion evacuation station, reinforcing a BAS, or operating as an intermediate casualty collecting/clearing point.

En Route Care System (ERCS)

An FRSS follow-on team consisting of 1 critical care nurse and 1 Field Medical Service Technician capable of providing in-flight care for 2 stabilized patients for 2 hours over distances up to 240 nautical miles.

Preventative Medicine (PVNTMED) Section

A Medical Battalion asset composed of an Environmental Health Officer, entomologist, and PVNTMED technicians providing Occupational and Environmental Health Surveillance (OEHS) to protect deployable force health.

Whats are the parts of the MEF

MEF Surgeon, Preventive Medicine Officer, Medical Planner, and Hospital Corpsmen

What are the parts of a MAW

Wing Flight Surgeon, Medical Plans Officer, Environmental Health Officer, Industrial Hygienist, and Hospital Corpsmen.

What are the parts of a MLG

Medical logistics officer, med battalion, dental battalion, forward recesitation surgical team, shock trauma platoon, en route care system, prev med