Employment of the "Role 2-plus": lessons learned in a time of high OPTEMPO.

Abstract

OVERVIEW From 2009 to 2014, the medical units at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, gained extensive experience in the nondoctrinal employment of the Forward Surgical Team (FST) combined with an Area Support Medical Company (ASMC) or Brigade Support Medical Company (BSMC). The setup and execution of the so-called “Role 2-plus” offers multiple operational and clinical advantages over solitary employment, but also presents some significant logistical challenges without proper planning. At the time of authorship, current literature describes this entity, but information or guidance as to the actual employment of the Role 2-plus (including web-based outlets such as Center for Army Lessons Learned) is almost nonexistent. Former commanders of these units would like to share and document some of the lessons learned during a time of exceptionally high operational tempo (OPTEMPO).