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Combat Paramedic Course (CPC) Pilot Program

Provided by U.S. Army Medical Center of ExcellenceFriday, March 6, 2020

What is it?

The Combat Paramedic Course (CPC) is aimed at producing operationally focused paramedics capable of meeting the demands of Multi-Domain Operations with a goal of zero preventable deaths on the battlefield.

Successful graduates of this program will be:

  • Eligible to earn a nationally registered paramedic certificate.
  • Able to perform a broader spectrum of combat medicine in support of the fielded force.
  • Short of only nine credit hours for an associate’s degree.

The 30-week pilot program, created and designed by U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence, is more operationally focused than civilian paramedic training courses. This pilot was launched on Jan. 16, 2020 in JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

What are the current and past efforts of the Army?

The Army Critical Care Flight Paramedic (CCFP) training previously required 38 weeks and consisted of three separate courses:

  • 300-F1: 26 Week Paramedic Course
  • 300-F2: 8 Week Critical Care Course
  • 300-F3: 4 Week Army Medical Department Aviation Crew Member Course

The Army has merged training aspects of two courses into the CPC Pilot:

  • 300-F1: 26 Week Paramedic Course
  • Expeditionary Combat Medic Pilot Course (ECM) a 26-week course that trained for Large Scale Combat operations, but didn’t yield certification or college course for its graduates.

National Defense Authorization Act 2013 and DA EXORD 149-17 directed all service components to achieve 100% fill of critical care trained flight paramedics by fiscal year 2024. To ensure a seamless transition to the CPC course, the MEDCoE is:

  • Offering constructive credit for current Nationally Registered Paramedics
  • Conducting additional 300-F2 classes to meet demands
  • Encouraging all components to utilize home station paramedic training.
  • Offering constructive credit for 300-F3.

This strategy, in conjunction with the new CPC pilot program will enable all components to meet the directive requirements.

What continued efforts does the Army have planned?

The CPC is part of the Army’s ongoing efforts to enhance the capabilities of the combat medic in support of Modernization. Graduates of the CPC gain additional training in prolonged care and are better prepared to meet future battlefield requirements in support of Large Scale Combat Operations.

Why is this important to the Army?

The CPC Pilot Program is operationally focused to yield a better prepared paramedic. As Soldier survivability is increased, the Army’s lethality increases.

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Events

March 2020

Women History Month: Visit Women in the U.S. Army

March 25: Medal of Honor Day: Visit Medal of Honor

March 29: National Vietnam War Veterans Day

Focus Quote for the Day

The new Combat Paramedic Course pilot integrates lessons learned from CCFP [Critical Care Flight Paramedic] and ECM [Expeditionary Combat Medic Pilot Course] to ensure we are postured to support the existing paramedic requirements … yielding more capable medical professionals.

– Lt. Col. Kathleen Samsey, medical director, Critical Care Flight Paramedic, or CCFP Course and the former Expeditionary Combat Medic, or ECM pilot course

MEDCoE starts new operationally focused paramedic pilot course