Special amphibious reconnaissance corpsman

Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman
Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman
	Special Operations Medical

A Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman (SARC) is a

Marine Air-Ground Task Force

in special reconnaissance missions.

Mission

SARCs are trained and specialized in the same aspects of special operations as their counterparts:

DEVGRU due to their highly advanced skills in combat trauma care and diving medicine.^[1]

The environments that Recon Marines and Recon Corpsmen face during a mission are usually hazardous. The Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsmen use their paramedic skills to provide advanced medical support and other emergency medical procedures related to the hazards of swimming, open and closed circuit SCUBA diving, and military freefall during amphibious reconnaissance operations. They also instruct and advise the recon Marines in the prevention and treatment of illnesses, whether in combat or training.[1]

The SARC has the duty of hyperbaric chamber operator: skilled in the operation of recompression chambers for

decompression tables

.

Performs routine sick call, diagnostic patient care as well as associated operational, administrative, and logistical duties.
Performs basic anesthesia, minor surgical, basic clinical laboratory, basic radiology, and other routine and emergency health care procedures as required.
Performs advanced trauma procedures in a hostile or combat environment often independently behind enemy lines.
Instructs and advises junior medical and operational personnel in prevention and treatment of illness and injuries.
Recognizes all types of illnesses associated with diving to include oxygen toxicity and hypercapnia, nitrogen narcosis, type I and II decompression sickness and air/gas embolism.

Screening and training

As of 2016, a male or female hospital corpsman serving in the paygrades of E-1 (hospitalman recruit) to E-6 (petty officer first class) serving in any capacity may apply for candidacy. It is not required to be currently serving with a Fleet Marine unit to apply. Sailors currently attending Hospital Corpsman "A" School may enter the pipeline immediately without first serving time in the fleet by enrolling in the Special Operations Corpsman Program (SOCP), currently held at HM "A" School. This course is designed to prepare sailors for the lifestyle and training required of candidates applying for SARC, Dive Medical Technician (DMT), and Search-and-Rescue (SAR) programs. Candidates must have a current

non-judicial punishments for 12 months and no courts-martial for 24 months. The extensive training requires a commitment to serve as a recon corpsman for a minimum of three years.^[1]

Occupational Classification

After completion of Phases 1 & 2 listed below, Corpsman will be awarded the NEC L03A. Following Phases 3-9, Corpsman will be awarded the NEC L11A, Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsmen (SARC).