BOLC Health System

1. Define the Operational Environment

a composite of the conditions, circumstances, and influences that affect the employment of capabilities and bear on the decisions of the commander.

> Also called OE (JP 3-0).

The Army accomplishes its mission by supporting the joint force in four strategic roles:

1. Shape operational environments

2. Counter aggression on land during crisis

3. Prevail during large-scale ground combat

4. Consolidate gains

Deep operations

tactical actions against enemy forces, typically out of direct contact with friendly forces, intended to shape future close operations and protect rear operations.

Close operations

tactical actions of subordinate maneuver forces and the forces providing immediate support to them, whose purpose is to employ maneuver and fires to close with and destroy enemy forces.

Rear operations

tactical actions behind major subordinate maneuver forces that facilitate movement, extend operational reach, and maintain desired tempo.

> Rear operations typically include the protection and security of support areas.

Army Medicine views threats from two perspectives:

the general threat and the health threat

The Health Threat

a composite of ongoing or potential enemy actions; adverse environmental, occupational, and geographic and meteorological conditions; endemic and emerging diseases; and employment of CBRN weapons (to include weapons of mass destruction that have the potential to affect the short- or long-term health [including psychological impact] of personnel.)

> analyzed during the planning process of an operation in order to develop the Health Service Support/Force Health Protection (HSS/FHP) plan.

Although the Army Medicine’s primary concern is that of the health threat, the general threat must also be fully considered as it influences:

• Character, types, and severity of wounds and injuries to which our forces may be exposed.

• Enemy’s ability and willingness to disrupt AHS operations.

• Geneva Conventions, in regards to the protection of AHS personnel while engaged in their humanitarian mission.

In general, threats qualify as either an …

enemy or an adversary.

> An enemy is a party identified as hostile against which the use of force is authorized.

1. Communicate the Six Warfighting Functions

1. Movement and Maneuver

2. Intelligence

3. Fires

4. Sustainment

5. Protection

6. Command and Control

The ten medical functions are: 

 Medical command and control. 

 Medical treatment (organic and area support). 

 Hospitalization. 

 Medical evacuation (to include medical regulating). 

 Dental services. 

 Operational public health. 

 Combat and operational stress control. 

 Veterinary services. 

 Medical logistics (to include blood management). 

 Medical laboratory services (to include both clinical laboratories and environmental laboratories).

1. Define Force Health Protection

Measures that promote, improve, or conserve the behavioral and physical well-being of Soldiers comprised of preventive and treatment aspects of medical functions that include: 

1. Operational Public Health

2. Veterinary Services

3. Combat and Operational Stress Control (COSC)

4. Dental Services

5. Laboratory Services

6. Command and control (in FHP & HSS)

1. Define Health Service Support

Services to promote, improve, conserve, or restore the behavioral and physical well-being of personnel by providing direct patient care. Medical functions include:  

1. Medical Treatment

2. Medical Evacuation 

3. Hospitalization 

4. Medical Logistics (to include blood management)

5. Command and control (in FHP & HSS)

1. Communicate the Six Army Health System Principles

1. Define Conformity

2. Define Proximity

3. Define Flexibility

4. Define Mobility

5. Define Continuity

6. Define Control

1. Conformity –

The medical plan conforms to the operation plan (OPLAN), and operation orders (OPORDs).

2. Proximity -

Providing AHS support to sick, injured, and wounded at the right time and place to keep mortality to a minimum.

3. Flexibility -

Being prepared and empowered to shift medical resources to meet changing requirements.

4. Mobility -

Ensures medical assets remain within supporting distance of maneuvering forces.

5. Continuity -

Moving the patient through progressive, phases roles of care.

6. Control -

Required to ensure scarce medical resources are efficiently employed to support the operational and strategic plan.

Role 1

•  Immediate lifesaving measures

•  Self-aid, buddy aid, combat lifesaver

•  EMT / ATM

•  Medic, Physician, Physician Assistant

•  Medical evacuation

Role 2

•  X-ray, laboratory, and dental support

•  Preventive medicine

•  Patient Hold

•  Advanced Trauma Management

•  Med Log

•  Medical Evacuation

•  Limited Pharmacy

•  COSC

> BSMC, MCAS (BMSO)

Role 3

•  Resuscitation, initial wound surgery, and postoperative treatment

•  Hospitalization

•  Medical regulating

•  Clinical services

Role 4

•  Full spectrum of  definitive medical care

•  CONUS or OCONUS safe havens