Medical Civic Action Programs (MEDCAPS) and Medical Readiness Training Exercises (MEDRETES) as Instruments of Foreign Policy
Abstract
The Medical Corps has conducted humanitarian and civic action programs since the 1960's. During the Vietnam war the U.S. Army Medical Corps ran Medical Civic Programs (MEDCAPS), initially for the Vietnamese military and later for Vietnamese civilians. The primary objective was to win the 'hearts and minds' of the people. Other objectives were to increase the popularity of the Vietnamese and U.S. military forces, assist in the development of the Vietnamese medical infrastructure, and provide humanitarian assistance to a beleaguered nation caught in conflict and with inadequate medical resources. These programs were later renamed Medical Readiness Training Exercises (MEDRETES). Low intensity conflict (LIC), including insurgencies and counter-insurgencies, is the major warfare we face today. The medical corps must be prepared to deal with LIC. This study reviews MEDCAPS and MEDRETES as conducted in Honduras and makes recommendations for their success. It is my thesis that humanitarian and civic action programs can play a very important role in countering insurgencies and in nation building. U.S. assistance in the form of MEDCAPS/MEDRETES is a very powerful policy tool, if conducted properly. If not conducted properly, they will be counterproductive to U.S. foreign policy objectives and to our nationaL security interests. This study discusses the factors bearing on civic action programs, steps for success, and concludes with recommendations for future programs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 24, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA195304
Entities
People
- Elray Jenkins
Organizations
- United States Army War College