Corpsman up!

Those words have historically sent an enlisted Navy medic rushing to the side of an injured Marine on the battlefield.

But now they take on a new meaning at Headquarters and Service Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps, Henderson Hall, as Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (FMF) Matthew Cianchetti recently reported to the battalion as a Fleet Marine Forces qualified corpsman.

"I monitor and do my best to coordinate the medical readiness program for the battalion, which is spread throughout the D.C. area," he said.

Cianchetti is responsible for tracking and reporting the medical readiness of roughly 1,800 Marines attached to the battalion who are stationed throughout the National Capital Region in locations ranging from the White House to Quantico Marine Corps Base.

"If some Marine here needs to go somewhere else, if you aren't qualified medically to go, that would prohibit you from going," Cianchetti explained. "Historically, medicine has played a very critical role in military operations, and that's really why I'm here, to keep the Marines mission ready."

In order to earn the enlisted Fleet Marine Force warfare specialist designation, Cianchetti attended field medical service school, where he passed the Marine physical fitness test, a written test and became familiar with weapons, land navigation and combat communications used by the Corps. Essentially, the designation makes him qualified for service with the Marines.

"It's a pretty interesting course," he said. "It's broken up into three phases. I had to do the ground warfare element. I had to learn all about amphibious landing craft, all the fun stuff. I had to learn Marine Corps history, weapons and tactics."

Cianchetti relies on modern technology to help him keep track of the Marines' medical needs, which he said can be a daunting task since there are 13 clinics throughout the National Capital Region where they can go for treatment.

"There's a big database that tells you what shots you need, what exams you're due for, whatever annual medical needs you need to take care of," he explained.

Cianchetti said his family has a long tradition of military service. His grandfather was a Marine who served during World War II and his father retired from the Army. After graduating from basic training about five years ago, the Missouri native found himself walking where his relatives walked.

"I was the third generation in my family to go to Okinawa," he said with a laugh. "My dad was there when he was in the Army. My grandfather was there in World War II."

Cianchetti, a native of St. Louis, reported for duty at JBM-HH in August. His previous duty assignments include Okinawa, Japan.