What is a combat medics work environment?

Typically, when someone is talking about a combat medic, they are talking about a line medic. A line medic is attached to a unit both in combat and in a garrison environment. A line medic does many of the same things in garrison that he would do during a deployment. This could be running daily sick call or acting as a lifeguard during water PT. When that same unit deploys, the medic would still run sick call, but when the platoon goes out on a mission, the medic goes with them. If the unit is hit while on mission, the medic is in charge of everything from casualty triage (determining the order in which casualties should be treated) to the actual treatment of everything from amputations to breathing problems to bloody noses or twisted ankles. The combat medic is one of the most important people in the unit. It is important that he take his job very seriously so that the men in his unit know they can depend on him.