By MC1 James , Naval Hospital Pensacola Public Affairs
PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) — Hospital corpsmen have a long and proud tradition of excellence, honor, bravery and sacrifice as the Navy’s enlisted Medical Corps.
On June 17, 2013 the Navy’s Hospital Corps celebrated 115 years of service.
Hospital corpsmen perform their duties as assistants in the prevention and treatment of disease and injury and assist health care professionals in providing medical care to DoD personnel and their families. They may function as clinical or specialty technicians, medical administrative personnel or health care providers at Medical Treatment Facilities. They also serve as battlefield corpsmen with the Marine Corps, rendering emergency medical treatment to include initial treatment in a combat environment.
Since the inception of the Navy in 1775, the need for Sailors dedicated to the caring of the sick and injured has been a priority. There were surgeon’s mates in the late 1700’s, loblolly boys in 1841, male nurses in 1861, baymen in 1876 and finally the establishment of the Hospital Corps in 1898. The hospital corpsmen have a long and proud tradition of taking care of those in their charge.
