1-15. THE M6 PRACTICAL NURSE IN THE FIELD

Yes, M6 practical nurses are found in "field" units. You may be the "medic" that will accompany a platoon to combat or the "aidman" on a MEDEVAC helicopter.

a. M6 practical nurses are utilized in the field type hospitals just as in any other hospital. M6 practical nurses are needed to staff the wards and serve as clinical NCOs and section NCOs. There are positions for a chief clinical NCO and an assistant chief clinical NCO. As in a regular hospital, these positions are filled by practical nurses. Any field unit that has patient holding capabilities may utilize practical nurses.

b. When a field medical element is not operational, it will be engaged in various levels of training for mobilization. Mobilization training means readiness training. The unit as a collective group, the elements within the group, and the individuals within each element must all be thoroughly prepared for mobilization on short notice. Training to achieve this readiness involves all aspects of operations in

any given unit. Individuals must be proficient in their MOS/ASI and common soldier tasks. Each work center, no matter what its function, must be able to perform as a cohesive element. All the individual work centers must be able to work with the other elements of the unit in order to accomplish the mission. If any element or any individual is unprepared, the integrity of the entire unit is compromised. Training, then, is accomplished on varying levels, from individual training to unit training. A very large part of being assigned to a field unit is being involved in the process of training for mobilization.