Health Service Support to the Combatant Commander: Subtle Bridge to Improved JTF Effectiveness
Abstract
The new Joint Health Service Support Vision of Force Health Protection attempts to improve health service support to the Joint Force Commander by updating medical concepts to be more in line with the current operational doctrine of the warfighters. This paper asks whether the military health systems (MHS) current approach to providing health service support (HSS) for COCOM and JTF operations is an appropriate model for future operations. The evidence of recent HSS operations in support of the CENTCOM Commander indicates that current HSS doctrine is a sound approach for HSS future operations - as long as the MHS continues to review and revise the HSS principles based on continuing experience. The HSS principles improved support to the COCOM in five specific ways. First, the doctrine provided the JFC a furmidable force to engage the enemy by ensuring a healthy and fit force deployed and that force enjoyed layers of medical protection in the realm of disease and accident prevention. Second, the stationing of surgical assets far-forward with the fighting troops as well as new technology to control hemorrhaging saved lives. Third, the decreased footprint of medical forces freed up precious transportation assets for other COCOM assets and allowed the HSS to get in to the TO faster and be prepared earlier in the deployment sequence. Fourth, better trained medical personnel saved more lives. Finally, good HSS in caring for America's sons and daughters coupled with the adroit ability of the MHS to execute Humanitarian Assistance in support of the combatant commander's Theater Cooperation Plan (TCP) have proved to be especially invaluable tools in the combatant commander's toolbox.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 08, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA420323
Entities
People
- Dawn M. Smith
Organizations
- Naval War College