Are medics in the military issued weapons in combat?

Question

Considering that the giant red crosses they wear (wore) are supposed to deter the enemy from shooting at them, it seems like that protection (as it is) would be lessened if they were carrying weapons. Anyone know?

Answer 1

The Laws of Land Warfare (Geneva Conventions) permit medical personnel to arm themselves in order to protect their lives and the lives of their patients. The type of weapon is not specified. However, when I served as a Hospital Corpsman with Fleet Marines I carried a .45 caliber pistol. I believe that has been replaced by the 9 mm pistol. I also carried hand grenades.  

Answer 2

By the rules of war a Medic or Corpsman is identified by the red cross and is allowed to carry weapons for self defense and the defense of his patients (read the M9 pistol) or go unarmed and not be a target for the other side.  Since the last semi-civilized war we fought that the opponents for the most part followed that rule was the European Theater in World War Two, most medics/corpsman in the field carry standard M-16/M-4's and put themselves in the combatant category-not really any difference as in Vietnam the targets were the radioman, corpsman/medic, then officers or senior enlisted during ambushes and I rather sure the insurrgents do not play by the rules either.  Most of the doc's I knew carried a pistol (Colt 1911 then), M-16 and took the red cross "aiming points" off when on patrol though did know one who took off the aiming points but refused to carry a weapon as he was a pacifist, very gutsy and patriotic pacifist who did not have to serve based on his beliefs but chose to and then still live by his beliefs.  Braver then I was because I would not go uunarmed there.

Answer 3

Yes, well atleast ours did.

Somebody would have to be pretty d**n crazy to go outside the wire without a weapon, along with there M4's most of ours also had 9's to.

Answer 4

While in Theatre I carried a service M92 (9mm Beretta) with two extra clips and an M4 SOPMOD with three extra clips.

I only ever had to use my weapon a handfull of times in some very tough situations. I save lives, I try not to take them.

Answer 5

Most medics only carry a sidearm - they don't carry M4's or M16's.

Answer 6

Yes, all Military personnel are Soldier's first and there specif job second. We all get weapon's training and all are trained and expected to fight if it comer's to it. Medic's have the exact same weapon as all Infantry unit's. In England all Medic's use the SA80, the same weapon as all Infantry unit's.

Answer 7

My parents were issued weapons in order to protect their patients in Iraq and Afghanistan.  They are non combatants, and are only supposed to engage the enemy to protect their patients.  

Answer 8

Of course they do.  They are there to help someone, not to commit suicide or become a target.

Answer 9

M16 at least for our Corpsmen when they were attached to a Marine Unit, some were pistol qualified and carried that as well.