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[browningautorifle]

In modern times, most combat medics carry a personal weapon, to be used to protect themselves and the wounded or sick in their care.

For a fact, when I was younger I asked the medics why they had a SMG 9MM C1 on them in the field...and one answered exactly that. They were carrying to protect the Surgeon and their wounded patients in dire situations. Remember the Japanese were not observers of the Geneva Convention during the war. I of course speak of times 30 years after in my experiences. Sentryduty will be able to update on Afghanistan during this recent conflagration...

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[imntxs554]

For a fact, when I was younger I asked the medics why they had a SMG 9MM C1 on them in the field...and one answered exactly that. They were carrying to protect the Surgeon and their wounded patients in dire situations. Remember the Japanese were not observers of the Geneva Convention during the war. I of course speak of times 30 years after in my experiences. Sentryduty will be able to update on Afghanistan during this recent conflagration...

Thanks Jim...That's what I was wondering if the Medics were issued a sidearm in WW2 the Medic can only use it for protection, but did the Geneva Convention still protect the Medic. I know that they would get picked off for the reason to not being able to help the wounded. I wonder how it does works in today's conflicts. Thanks

Frank

[Paul S.]

For a fact, when I was younger I asked the medics why they had a SMG 9MM C1 on them in the field...and one answered exactly that. They were carrying to protect the Surgeon and their wounded patients in dire situations. ...

I was once introduced to an American during my time in Vietnam who had won the Medal of Honor during the Korean War doing just that. I was told he stood in the doorway of the surgical tent with a rifle and held off an entire unit of North Koreans. When asked he said it was because "the surgeon had the keys to the jeep and he wasn't leaving until he finished operating on the soldier he started working on when everyone bugged out and I was too tired to run".