ROLE OF THE 3D US INFANTRY REGIMENT PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

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1 Role of the 3d US Infantry Regiment Physician Assistant Chapter 17 ROLE OF THE 3D US INFANTRY REGIMENT PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT J. Scott Donoughe, PA-C, MPAS Unit Background and Structure The 3d US Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) is the oldest active duty infantry unit in the Army and traces its lineage to The unit is currently located on Joint Base Myer Henderson Hall (formerly Fort Myer) in Arlington, Virginia. The Old Guard has a unique mission and task organization: the unit serves as the official Army honor guard and escort to the president of the United States. In this capacity, the regiment s soldiers are responsible for conducting military ceremonies at the White House, the Pentagon, national memorials, and elsewhere in the National Capital Region (NCR). The unit conducts memorial affairs to honor fallen soldiers by rendering their final honors in Arlington National Cemetery, as well as representing the Army at other ceremonies and special events, and communicating the Army s story to US citizens and the world. On order, Old Guard soldiers conduct defense support of civil authorities in the NCR in times of emergency or civil disturbance. 2 The regiment is composed of two infantry battalions, each consisting of approximately 650 soldiers, and two separate companies. Its officers, noncommissioned officers, and junior enlisted soldiers are specially selected and must successfully complete the regiment s rigorous ceremonial training program. Old Guard soldiers and officers earn the right to wear the unit-distinctive trimming, known as the buff strap, on the left shoulder of the dress blue uniform. The black and tan buff strap is a replica of the knapsack strap used by the unit s 19th century predecessors to display its distinctive colors and distinguish its members 253

2 US Army Physician Assistant Handbook from other Army units. 3 The present buff strap continues to signify an Old Guard soldier s pride in personal appearance and precision performance, which has marked the unit for 200 years (Figure 17-1). 254 Mission and Task Organization The Old Guard has a single medical platoon composed of a regimental surgeon, two battalion physician assistants (PAs), a medical platoon leader/medical operations officer, a medical platoon sergeant, and 40 healthcare specialists. The medical platoon is task organized under the 529th Regimental Support Company. Typically, each PA directly supports one of the two infantry battalions and one of two separate companies. The PA is rated by the regimental surgeon and senior rated by the respective battalion commander. Duty Description The PAs assigned to the 3rd Infantry Regiment are responsible for the health and welfare of the unit s 1,600 assigned and attached personnel, including but not limited to sick call; routine, urgent, and emergent care; and minor surgical procedures. The PAs are responsible for leading, mentoring, and training the regimental aid station (RAS) staff and medical platoon, providing these staff with career development and professional guidance. Additionally, they have an essential role in guiding and shaping the medical support and training provided to the regiment. The regimental PAs function as a liaison between the regiment and the higher medical system, the Joint Task Force National Capital Medical Region. The PAs also serve as medical advisors to the regimental and battalion commanders on all medical issues. The regimental PAs provide care for high-visibility units and soldiers such as those who maintain 24-hour vigil at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the US Army Drill Team, and the Caisson Platoon. The PAs plan, coordinate, and execute medical support for the regiment s highvisibility events, including the National Memorial Day and National Veteran s Day observances in Arlington National Cemetery, the annual Army Ten-Miler, and the presidential inauguration. The regimental surgeon and PAs operate out of a consolidated RAS that is hard wired with the Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application (AHLTA) system. Healthcare at the RAS is

3 Role of the 3d US Infantry Regiment Physician Assistant Figure Soldiers of the 3d US Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) graduate from the Regimental Orientation Program (ROP), July 21, 2014, at Summerall Field on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, VA. ROP is designed to train new soldiers in rifle movements, ceremonial marching, and uniform styles unique to The Old Guard. US Army photo by SPC Cody Wes Torkelson. 255

4 US Army Physician Assistant Handbook provided through a team approach that encourages communication among all providers, ensuring that soldiers receive top of the line medical care. The RAS receives ancillary support from Andrew Rader US Army Health Clinic on Joint Base Myer Henderson Hall. Physical therapy and behavioral health providers schedule appointments and assist with sick call at the RAS to increase access to care for Old Guard soldiers. Providing medical support in the NCR offers unique challenges and opportunities. Soldiers and family members have several different options when obtaining specialty medical care and surgical consultation in the NCR. Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and Malcolm Grow Medical Center are the three higher levels of care within the military medical system in the region. Old Guard PAs interact with providers from these facilities and also coordinate emergency care and follow-up care at civilian medical facilities in the area. The provider in the RAS has an essential role in coordinating and conducting care in the complex NCR environment. Desired Skills and Attributes Prior operational experience as a PA. Rank of captain. Graduate of Captains Career Course preferred. Must be an excellent role model with the desire to mentor others. No prior Uniformed Code of Military Justice violations. Male applicants are preferred to be 70 or taller; female applicants are preferred to be 67 or taller (this requirement may be waived). Applicants should apply through the HRC assignment officer. Time in the 3d US Infantry Regiment will afford an officer numerous opportunities to experience all that the NCR has to offer. He or she will have the opportunity to visit Washington, DC, with its museums, the National Mall, numerous memorials and monuments, and much more. Regimental PAs are integral members of the NCR military and healthcare team, and their contributions enable the continued success of the 3d US Infantry Regiment. 256

5 Role of the 3d US Infantry Regiment Physician Assistant REFERENCES 1. US Army Center of Military History. Organizational History. Washington, DC: CMH; html/forcestruc/ohpam.html. Accessed May 6, d US Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). 3d US Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) website. army.mil/. Accessed May 6, d US Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). Soldier s Handbook. 2nd ed. Arlington, VA: 3d US Infantry Regiment; June

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