The modern battlefield dictates that US Army combat medics, also known as 91Ws, be capable of operating effectively and independently as members of highly dispersed and mobile combat formations. These Soldiers must have the necessary skills to accurately assess and initially treat a wide variety of life-threatening illnesses and injuries. US Army medical personnel are incorporating lessons learned from operations in Iraq and Afghanistan to improve the training of combat medics and therefore, the quality of medical care available for our Soldiers.

Many of these lessons learned are being incorporated in the 16-week, 91W10 Healthcare Specialist course administered by the US Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Center and School at Fort Sam Houston, TX. In addition to using lessons learned to modify course content, the Army has also introduced the use of simulation technologies into the program of instruction to improve the overall effectiveness of the training. The 91W10 Healthcare Specialist - Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TC3) prototype trainer is an example of this type of technology advancement. Developed in partnership by the AMEDD Center & School and the US Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, Simulation and Training Technology Center (RDECOM-STTC), the TC3 prototype provides an excellent example of how advanced, interactive, virtual training technologies can be utilized to enhance training for Army combat medics.

This paper will look in detail at the changing requirements of the combat medic and will document the results of a four month architecture design / requirements study performed by the RDECOM-STTC. It will discuss the role that Advanced Distributed Learning and commercial game technologies may play in the development of the TC3 courseware application. It will also identify the current state of these technologies in supporting additional opportunities for improving combat medic training.