The U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School (AMEDDC&S), Medical Service Corps (MSC) celebrated ninety-nine years of service with a cake cutting ceremony at the U.S. Army Medical Department Museum at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Retired Colonel Greg Griffin, former Chief of the AMEDD Leader Training Center, spoke at the event reflecting on the past and forthcoming innovations of the MSC and Army Medicine.
Afterwards Colonel Griffin had the honor of cutting the ceremonial cake as he was joined by the most junior MSC officer, Second Lieutenant Hannah Martinez, a student attending the Basic Officer Leadership Course, and the most senior MSC officer, Lieutenant Colonel Marion Jefferson, the Deputy Corps Chief, AMEDDC&S MSC.
The U.S. Army Medical Service Corps traces its history back to the U.S. Revolutionary War with the appointment of an Apothecary General and continued during the Civil War with establishment of an Ambulance Corps and U.S. Army Medical Storekeepers. In World War I the requirement for a considerable number of officers who were neither physicians, dentists nor veterinarians, resulted in formation on June 30, 1917 of the Sanitary Corps. This corps modernized the Medical Department with officers in a wide variety of administrative and scientific specialties. The unbroken chain, from June 30, 1917 to June 30, 2017, links the Sanitary Corps as the oldest direct antecedent of the MSC.
The Sanitary Corps was demobilized following the end of WWI. During the inter-war years, it became clear that the Army needed a permanent medical ancillary organization. This led to the establishment of the Medical Administrative Corps (MAC) on June 4, 1920. Growth during WW II was spectacular. The MAC increased from less than 100 officers in 1939 to over 22,000 by 1945. These officers freed physicians for patient care responsibilities by occupying an expanded variety of positions. A third precursor of the MSC, the Pharmacy Corps, was established as a Regular Army branch on July 12, 1943. Finally, on August 4, 1947, the new U.S. Army Medical Service Corps replaced the separate Sanitary, Administrative, and Pharmacy Corps.
The U.S. Army Medical Service Corps is an important national resource with a long and distinguished history. Many thousands of officers have proudly served in its ranks, selflessly supporting the nation's defense missions in peace and war throughout the world. With varied academic backgrounds and disciplines, these officers have been widely recognized and highly regarded leaders in their respective fields. They represent the growth in medical science and military medical operations and administration.
For more information the visit the AMEDDC&S and U.S. Army Medical Department Medical Service Corps websites.
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