Organization of the USMC
This is an unofficial website
To be effective in your new role, you must become knowledgeable in the organizational structure, missions, health service support mission and capabilities, the USMC Planning Process and basic day to day survival tips. This section is designed to assist you in developing this knowledge base. The Medical Officer of the USMC Homepage is the other resource that is essential in attaining this information.
Health Service Support Planning and implementation cannot be accomplished independent from the rest of the USMC Planning Process. When the OPLAN changes the HSS plan must be reevaluated. One of Murphy's Law of Combat state " No plan survives first contact with the enemy", therefore the medical plan must be a living document
HSS issues are found in every staff officer's department. It is imperative that medical remain involved in all of these areas.
The S1 Admin officer is responsible for personnel. Casualty Reports are to be sent via the Marine chain of command to the S1 officer. Medical can assist him tremendously by supplying casualty reports as a backup. The S1 officer and medical can work together to produce the casualty estimate. This estimate is used to determine troop strength, replenishment, the best OPLAN and medical support requirements
TARAWA
South Pacific, 20 November 1943
Artist: SGT Tom Lovell USMC-1945
Marine Corps Art Collection
The medical intelligence brief of the area will assist both the MAGTF Surgeon in determining a HSS plan and the S2 Intelligence officer details for his annex.
The Medical estimate for potential operation plans and the HSS annex will need to be coordinated with the S3 Operations officer to produce the best course of action for medical support.
Health Service Support is generally located in the S4 Logistics department. Logistics is responsible for the support of combat operations. It is generally stated to be responsible for the "...beans,bullets, and the bandaids." The operational commander depends on you for keeping him informed regarding medical support, but do not overburden him with issues that can be resolved at the staff level.
Forward Field Hospital
Marine wounded during Operation Swift, An Hoa, South Vietnam, August 1967
Artist:Col PM Gish USMCR (ret)
Marine Corps Art Collection
Last Night of the War: 5th Marines on the Night of 10-11 Nov 1918
Artist: Yohn-1920 Navy Art Collection