BATTALION AID STATION PROCEDURES

FMST 0501

17 Dec 1999

TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1.      Given a combat environment (day and night), perform Battalion Aid Station (BAS) procedures, per the student handbook. (FMST.05.01)

2.      Given a combat environment (day and night) with designated medical table of equipment and supplies, utilize Class VIII Medical Supplies, per the student handbook. (FMST.05.02)

3.      Given a daytime and night time combat environment and the T/E designated equipment and supplies, employ T/E designated tentage correctly.  Identify and employ appropriate T/E designated tentage. (FMST.05.03)

ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1.      Without the aid of reference materials, and given a list, identify the mission of the BAS, per the student handbook. (FMST.0501a)

2.      Without the aid of reference materials, and given a list, identify the four areas of the BAS, per the student handbook. (FMST.05.01b)

3.      Without the aid of reference materials, and given a list, identify BAS medical support capabilities for an Infantry Battalion, per the student handbook. (FMST.05.01c)

4.      Without the aid of reference materials and given a list of basic supply outfits, identify the proper supply terminology, per the student handbook. (FMST.05.02a)

5.      Without the aid of reference materials and given a list of basic supply outfits, identify the types of Authorized Medical Allowance List (AMAL's), associated with the Battalion Aid Station, per the student handbook. (FMST.05.02b)

6.      Without the aid of reference materials and given a list of basic supply outfits, identify the types of Authorized Dental Allowance List (ADAL) associated with the basic dental sick-call block, per the student handbook. (FMST.05.02c)

7.      Without the aid of reference materials and given a list of re-supply procedures, under combat conditions, select the procedures for re-supply, per the student handbook. (FMST.05.02d)

OUTLINE:  Health Service Support (HSS) of today's Marine Corps Operational Forces emphasizes the provision of far-forward, mobile, medical support in the stabilization and evacuation of casualties.  The BAS is the HSS unit that will deliver these services to our Marine Corps Forces (MARFOR) in sustaining the combat power of the force.

A.     MISSION of the BAS: Provide direct support to company corpsmen and provide advanced level of care to minimize the effects that wounds, injuries, and disease have on unit's effectiveness, readiness, and troop morale.  The system provides HSS from the point of wounding, injury, or illness to the evacuation of the casualty to the appropriate Medical Treatment Facility (MTF).

1. FUNCTIONS:  As a FMF corpsmen assisgned to the BAS you will be assigned various duties within the BAS.  Some of these duties are, but not limited to are:

a.       Health Maintenance - routine sick call, physical examinations, preventive medicine, dental maintenance, and record maintenance and reports submission.

b.      Casualty Collection - selection of and manning of locations where casualties are collected, triaged, treated, protected from further injury, and evacuated.

c.       Casualty Treatment - triage and treatment (self-aid, buddy aid, and initial resuscitative care.

d.      Casualty Evacuation - movement and ongoing treatment of the sick, wounded, or injured while in transit to medical treatment facilities.  All Marine units have an evacuation capability by ground, air, or sea.

2.      BAS SECTIONS: The BAS is broken down into 4 internal sections, which operate as a whole in providing HSS to the Marine Infantry Battalion.                                                                           

a.       INTERNAL SECURITY: Provides perimeter security for the immediate BAS area, searches patients for weapons, munitions, booby traps prior to being admitted to the triage area.  At no time will any weapon or munition be allowed into the medical treatment areas.

b.      TRIAGE: Sorts and records all incoming patients prior to entry into treatment area.  Provides emergency first aid and fluid replacement.  Initiates and/or continues DD-1380 entries.   Provide comfort/ease of pain to the dying.

c.       TREATMENT AREA: Usually the General Purpose Tent (GP) but could be any secure area assigned by the Battalion Surgeon to treat patients.  Perform ATLS treatment/procedures as directed by the Medical Officer or Senior Medical Department Representative.

d.      EVACUATION: Triage patients for evacuation, monitor patients, continued care, casualty reporting and coordinates MEDEVAC requests.   Establish a temporary morgue/holding area (away from patient contact) and ensure the evacuation of Killed in Action (KIA) and Died of Wounds (DOW) casualties at the earliest convenience.

B.     MEDICAL SUPPORT CAPABILITIES OF THE INFANTRY BATTALION:

1. MEDICAL PLATOON.  The Medical Platoon is located within Headquarters and Service Company of the Marine Infantry Battalion.  

a.       PERSONNEL - Consist of 2 general duty medical officers and 65 corpsmen during wartime.  44 of these corpsmen are assigned to the line companies (11 corpsmen per company).  The remaining 21 corpsmen and 2 medical officers comprise the makeup of the BAS.

 Figure-1 Medical Platoon Table of Organization

b.      MEDICAL SUPPLIES - There are two designated Authorized Medical Allowance List (AMAL blocks) assigned to the BAS.  These two AMAL's are the standard medical supply blocks for operations with additional supplies available upon request, i.e. mission specific - environmental or humanitarian operations.  The standard BAS AMAL blocks are:

1.      AMAL 635 - Aid Station Equipment

2.      AMAL 636 - Aid Station Supplies (consumables)

c.       EQUIPMENT - In order to be compact and highly mobile, a mimimum amount of garrison equipment is utilized by the BAS:

1.      2 - M996 Field Ambulance

2.      2 - GP Tents (general purpose, medium)

3.      2 - CP Tents (command post)

4.      Camouflaged Netting (SL3 complete)

C.  RESPONSIBILITIES: 

1. BATTALION SURGEON - Has the over-all responsibility for the Medical Platoon and BAS.  Primary responsible for all patient care rendered by the medical personnel.   Additionally, responsible for continuation of medical training for all medical and non-medical personnel.   Advises the Battalion Commander on all HSS matters relating to the battalion or its personnel.

2. BATTALION CHIEF - Maintains the BAS to include all administration, personnel, and logistical matters.  Ensures that all battalion HSS commitments and operational requirements have the appropriate medical and logistical support.  Advises the Battalion Surgeon on all matters relating to the BAS or battalion medical personnel.
   
3. JOINT RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BATTALION SURGEON/BATTALION CHIEF

a.       Organizing/Assignment of medical platoons personnel.

b.      Preparing HSS appendix to battalion's operational plan.

c.       Supervising and assisting in the collection, treatment, and evacuation of the sick and injured.

d.      Develop HSS Standing Operation Procedures (SOP) in accordance with guidance by higher authority.

e.       Conduct medical sanitation inspections.

f.        Maintaining and submitting appropriate records and reports.

g.       Train medical personnel in subjects relating to HSS.

h.       Supervise instruction for non-medical personnel in; personal hygiene, preventive medicine, field sanitation, litter bearing, and first aid/buddy aid.

i.         Ensure that medical supplies and equipment are properly managed, and that a responsive re-supply system is established to ensure adequate re-supply at garrison and combat levels.

C.     CONCEPT OF EMPLOYMENT: The BAS is most commonly employed through Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) operations.  It is structured to be able to split its personnel and supplies into two BAS's (Alpha and Bravo) and "leapfrog" ahead as the battlefield advances, (see figure 5-2).  As Alpha BAS advances with the battalion, Bravo BAS will remain behind and continue to provide medical care/evacuations until all patients have been medevaced, or until relieved by medical support elements such as Medical Battalion Shock Trauma Platoon (STP).  This allows for continuity of care as the unit advances.  Once the STP assumes all casualties, Bravo BAS, personnel and supplies will rejoin Alpha BAS to form the full compliment BAS.

D.     BAS LOGISTICS:
1.  DEFINITION: HSS logistics comprise the procurement, initial issue, management, re-supply, and disposition of material required to support medical and dental elements organic to the MARFOR.   Careful consideration should be given to stock levels of Class VIIIA materials (consumable and equipment) so as not to overstock or support be delayed due to inadequate access or lack of responsiveness.  The following, information is crucial when medical planners develop HSS logistical support system:

a.       Concept of operation/scheme of maneuver.

b.      Combat intensity.

c.       Duration of the operation.

d.      Casualty estimates

2.  SUPPLY TERMINOLOGY

a.       ALLOWANCE AND SOURCE OF LOGISTICS: The MAGTF surgeon will advise on all matters regarding medical and dental support.  Allocations of materials are documented in the table of equipment (T/E).  The total HSS T/E is designed to support a Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) in an estimated worst case scenario for a 60-day period of combat.  A unit's T/E includes items necessary for basic support of the organization and include:

1.      Tentage.

2.      Vehicles

3.      Tools

4.      Communications equipment

5.      Nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) gear

6.      Office equipment and supplies

b.      AUTHORIZED MEDICAL/DENTAL ALLOWANCE LIST CLASS VIII AMALS and ADALS are specialized equipment and supply assemblages for medical and dental elements to provide combat HSS.  AMALS/ADALS are maintained and re-supplied by Medical Logistics Company, Supply Battalion, at the Force Service Support Group level.  These AMALS/ADALS (commonly called Blocks) have the capability to provide the following services:

1.      Trauma management

2.      Resuscitative surgery

3.      Laboratory

4.      Pharmacy

5.      X-ray

6.      Dental

7.      Preventive medicine

8.      NBC treatment

9.      Patient holding

10.  Sick call

11.  Environmental supplements

12.  HSS test and repair systems

 c.       TYPES OF AMALS/ADALS

618 (FMF) LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
619 (FMF) LABORATORY CONSUMABLES
627 (FMF) X-RAY EQUIPMENT
629 (FMF) PHARMACY EQUIPMENT
630 (FMF) PHARMACY CONSUMABLES
631 (FMF) SHOCK SURGICAL TEAM/TRIAGE EQUIPMENT
632 (FMF) SHOCK SURGICAL TEAM/TRIAGE CONSUMABLES
633 (FMF) ACUTE CARE WARD EQUIPMENT
634 (FMF) ACUTE CARE WARD CONSUMABLES
635 (FMF) AID STATION EQUIPMENT
636 (FMF) AID STATION CONSUMABLES
637 (FMF) PREVENTIVE MEDICINE EQUIPMENT
638 (FMF) PREVENTIVE MEDICINE CONSUMABLES
639 (FMF) OPERATING ROOM EQUIPMENT
640 (FMF) OPERATING ROOM CONSUMABLES
649 (FMF) X-RAY CONSUMABLES
662 (FMF) FIELD DENTAL OPERATORY
684 (FMF) MEDICAL LOGISTICS MISSION/GEOGRAPHIC
685 (FMF) MEDICAL LOGISTICS MISSION/GEOGRAPHIC
686 (FMF) MEDICAL LOGISTICS MISSION/GEOGRAPHIC
687 (FMF) MEDICAL LOGISTICS MISSION/GEOGRAPHIC
688 (FMF) MEDICAL LOGISTICS MISSION/GEOGRAPHIC
691 (FMF) MEDICAL LOGISTICS EQUIPMENT TEST & REPAIR EQUIPMENT
692 (FMF) MEDICAL LOGISTICS EQUIPMENT TEST & REPAIR CONSUMABLES

d.      DD FORM 1348:  A standard form to requisition materials.  The form is used to requisition supplies, in the supplemental re-supply or ordering materials not listed in the AMALS/ADALS.

e.       NAVAL MEDICAL AND DENTAL MATERIEL BULLETIN (NMDMB): The NMDMB is an on-line publication, which provides information on authorized additions or deletions to AMALS/ADALS.  It also provides information on expiration dates, drug recalls, excess material, defective materials, and disposition and modification instructions.  Monthly review of the NMDMB should be incorporated into the HSS logistical management of the T/E AMALS/ADALS assigned.

f.        NAVAL MEDICAL LOGISTICS COMMAND:  NMLC provides worldwide medical and dental support to Navy Medicine and the Operating Forces. It provides and coordinates medical and dental materiel management and logistical support to the operating forces, U.S. Marine Corps and shore activities.  The NMLC also assists other Offices, Commands and Agencies on Medical Materiel and Logistical Support matters and performs other related tasks as directed by higher authority.

3. AMALS 635/636 AND ADAL 662: The T/E assigned AMALS for the BAS in HSS support of one Marine Division.  The two blocks are broken down into equipment items (635) and consumable items (636).

a.       635 EQUIPMENT ITEMS: Aid Station Equipment and reusable materiel supporting HSS of the BAS.  Examples are:

1.      Litters

2.      Litter stands

3.      Blankets

b.      636 CONSUMABLE ITEMS: Aid Station Supply.  Consumable supplies required to provide HSS to the BAS; initial resuscitation, and stabilization of 50 casualties with major wounds prior to evacuation, and re-supply to the company line corpsmen.  Examples are:

1.      Medications

2.      Bandages

3.      IV solutions

c.       662 FIELD DENTAL OPERATORY: Equipment and reusable materiel required establishing a dental clinic in the field.  Consumable supplies required providing emergency, diagnostic, and preventive maintenance dental care for 400 patients.

4.  MARKING AND INSPECTION OF AMALS/ADALS: 

For embarkation purposes all AMALS/ADALS and their associated items must be properly marked.  These markings are standardized throughout the MARFOR for all Class materials assigned to the unit's T/E.  In addition to embarkation of materials, it provides inventory management, and internal control of T/E items.

a.       STOWAGE DESIGNATOR: Indicates the type and location of stowage in accordance with the designator.  (Location: Top left corner)

Yellow Disk - Designates troop space cargo.

White Disk - Designates hold stowage on the same ship as the unit

Red Disk - Designates that item must accompany the unit, but does not need to be stowed on same ship as owning unit

b.      BOX NUMBER: Unit assigned four-digit number, consecutive within a unit/section.  (location:  Under stowage designator)

c.       TACTICAL MARKINGS: Indicates ownership of the material.  (Location:  Center)

d.      WEIGHT AND CUBE: Exact weight of item and cubic feet.   Ensure correct weights and measurements are marked.  DO NOT ESTIMATE (Location: Top right corner)

e.       AMAL AND SERIES NUMBER: Specific AMAL number (635) and series number 635-001.  Each HSS unit is assigned a specific series number by medical logistics company.   The owning HSS unit of that series will conduct quarterly inventories to ensure all materials are accounted for and that any expired or recalled medications are replaced.  (Location:  Bottom left corner)

f.        INDIVIDUAL CAN NUMBER: Each AMAL has different configuration in accordance with specific usage.   The Pharmacy AMAL 629 for example has only two cans, 629-001-001 and 629-001-002 (AMAL-SERIES-CAN#), while the Operating Room Supplies 640 has over 20 cans (640-001-001 through 640-001-020).  Each AMAL will have an inventory sheet, sorted by can number, noting all items assigned to that can number. (Location: Bottom left corner)

Figure 5-3

g.       INSPECTION/PRE-LIMITED TECHINCAL INSPECTION (LTI) AND POST-LTI OF AMALS/ADALS: In addition to quarterly inspections of HSS assigned AMALS/ADADALS, pre-LTI's and post-LTI's will be completed on all AMALS/ADALS.

1.      PRE-LTI:  Prior to deployment of assigned AMALS a pre-LTI will be conducted.  Ensure that all dated items have a shelf life of six months (upon deployment) or better; preventive maintenance of equipment items is completed and insure that all items are accounted for and have not deteriorated.

2.      POST-LTI:  Upon return from deployment a post-LTI will be completed to account for all items expended, expired, damaged or missing.  Once identified by the using HSS medical logistics company will replenish the expended AMAL for future use.

4.      MEDICAL SUPPLY AND REPLENISHMENT: HSSE's deploy with their initial issue and the days of supply as prescribed by the MAGTF commander.  Beyond the first 60 days of operations, Class VIIIA material for the MEF are maintained by the combat service support element (CSSE) and supplemented by the single integrated medical logistics manager (SIMLM).

a.       ROUTINE RE-SUPPLY: Re-supply requisitions will be forwarded to their unit's supply section.  The supply section will, in turn, pass the requisition to the supported supply system management unit, or if deployed, the supply section of the CSSE.  The CSSE orders, receives, and distributes the required material.

b.      COMBAT RE-SUPPLY: During embarkation planning, HSS planners determine the number and type of AMALS/ADALS required to support the assault phase of the operation.  Additional Class VIIIA consumable material will be positioned for deployment with the supply section of the CSSE.  After or in the event that the AMALS/ADALS are expended, or when directed, re-supply will be accomplished by normal line item requisition from the supporting CSSE.  When the stockpiles of the MAGTF are expended, Class VIIIA will be obtained through the designated SIMLM provider.

c.       INDIVIDUAL/LINE COMPANY CORPSMEN: Hospital corpsmen assigned to combat support units of the MAGTF are assigned a complete medical kit as part of the field gear.  The corpsmen's parent unit supply section is responsible for ensuring that the contents of the medical kit are maintained in good condition, and that medications have not exceeded their shelf life.

REFERENCE (S):                                                    

1. Health Services Support Operations (MCWP 4-11.1)

Field Medical Service School
Camp Pendleton, California

Advertise on this Site