HONOLULU, Hawaii -- The link to survival on the battlefield is a trained and ready force.

Providing a globally ready medical force is one of Regional Health Command-Pacific’s, known as RHC-P, top four priorities. As the lead Army medical command in the Pacific, RHC-P emphasizes medical skills training to enhance the readiness of our forces.

The 68W, health care specialist, more commonly known as a combat medic, is the Army's second largest military occupational specialty. While every medical asset is critical to the delivery of medical care, when lifesaving skills are required on the battlefield, the combat medic is typically the first medical asset to respond.

As the senior enlisted combat medic in the Pacific, I am committed to ensuring our Soldiers possess the necessary skills needed to answer our nation’s call. Soldiers assigned to RHC-P must be prepared to deliver quality care that supports the warfighter on and off the battlefield.

The investment in our combat medics is crucial. They are the critical link to sustaining and keeping our wounded alive until they can be evacuated to the next level of care either at a combat support hospital or a medical center.

That is why, here in the Pacific, we are enhancing our training platforms. The investment we as leaders make in training our cadre will improve the survival rate of wounded Soldiers exponentially.

Recently, Tripler Army Medical Center, known as TAMC, one of RHC-P’s military treatment facilities in the Pacific region held a casualty evacuation training exercise which involved combat medics preparing a casualty for air transport. This type of training helps ensure that when the time comes, the combat medic is confident and ready to provide the care needed to get the wounded to safety.

Leaders from the region level and the subordinate command level also continuously look for ways to enhance the readiness of our warriors. As a result, RHC-P’s training scenarios have evolved to address the unique environments found throughout the Pacific region. For example, jungle penetration extraction scenarios have been incorporated due to the extreme terrain and triple canopy jungles that can be found throughout the pacific area of responsibility.

The skills learned in the recent training exercise at TAMC and in trainings held at other RHC-P subordinate commands in Washington, Alaska, Korea and Japan ensures that warriors in the Pacific always stand ready to conserve the fighting strength.

About Regional Health Command-Pacific

RHC-P orchestrates the delivery of world-class medical care for service members, families and eligible beneficiaries, and provides medical readiness and diplomacy in support of U.S. Army Pacific in the U.S. Pacific Command area of responsibility.

RHC-P’s area of responsibility includes all medical, dental, public health, and warrior care and transition services in Hawaii, Washington, Alaska, Japan, Korea and throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

To learn more about RHC-P and what their subordinate commands are doing for beneficiaries and the community, visit www.army.mil/rchpacific.