SVK Military Medical Service to be strengthened by new servicewomen

On completion of 7-week-long Basic Military Training (BMT), three servicewomen sworn the Oath of Allegiance before moving from the Training and Mobilisation Manning Base Martin on to Liptovský Mikuláš. There, they undertook a specialist military medicine course in May. At the end of this month they will join up with the Slovak Military Medical Service (MMS) and will be posted to the CBRN Battalion Rožňava and the Tactical Wing Sliač.

On the specialist military medicine course, Sgt 1st Class Jozef Filický, course leader of the Liptovský Mikuláš-based Training, Education and Specialist Preparation Section, Office of SVK Armed Forces Surgeon General, reminded that the latest course is different from the previous ones in many respects. “After the end of Basic Military Training the participants completed an abridged, intense training course for soldiers evacuating the wounded and injured from the battlefield to the Casualty Collection Point (CCP). This course went on uninterruptedly, including on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, for 12 hours a day. The course usually lasts 3 weeks, however, this time it took 2 weeks to complete,” explained Sgt 1st Class Filický.

Over the course, the participants familiarised themselves with the basic functioning of the MMS. Combat medic training, i.e. the delivery of first aid to those wounded or injured in combat, has been incorporated into the course. “Even in this way, we try to shift instruction and training for medics in a new direction, as is the practice with NATO armies. During the course, we dedicated five whole days to this subject matter,” explained Sgt 1st Class Filický.

As usual, the instructors delivered instruction with practical demonstrations, whilst adhering to strict hygienic measures. Focus was on personal hygiene and the hygiene of spaces with the use of learning and training devices and aids. A large room was used for the theory phase to keep the concentration of people low and make sure that all measures and recommendations of hygienists are followed closely. The standard teaching lesson was shortened from 45min to 30min, with breaks long enough to ensure the disinfection of spaces.

Sgt 1st Class Filický along with his fellow instructors – Sgt 1st Class Ľuboš Pančuško, Sgt Jozef Gajdoš and SSgt Milada Andraščíkova concluded that all course objectives were met. They also praised the efforts and approach of the participants – 1st and 2nd Privates during the whole course. While on BMT, two of them concurrently attended the Sanitary Personnel Course in Martin during the state of emergency. The Command Senior Enlisted Leader (CSEL) of the Slovak Military Medical Service and Chief Medic of the Slovak Armed Forces, Sergeant Major (OR-9) Viliam Machara, too, expressed his satisfaction with the results of the specialist training which was adjusted according to the guidelines of the Chief of Defence.