OFFICE OF THE SURGGEON GENERAL AFTER ACTION REPORT ODS

File: 970101_sep96_decls4_0006.txt
Page: 0006
Total Pages: 24

Subject: OFFICE OF THE SURGGEON GENERAL AFTER ACTION REPORT ODS          

Unit: OTSG        

Parent Organization: HSC         

Box  ID: BX003205

Folder Title: OTSG OBSERVATIONS AND LESSONS LEARNED                                                           

Document Number:          2

Folder Seq  #:          9












                                      ARMY NURSE CORPS
                          Executive Summary of Desert Shield/Storm

                  The onset of Operation Desert Shield and subsequent
              transition to Operation Desert Storm provided a challenge to the
              AMEDD and the Army Nurse Corps. Not only did the task involve
              mobilization for the wartime mission, but also demanded that
              there be no degradation in the quality or quantity of medical
              services available to eligible beneficiaries.
                 In early August, after receiving briefings from The office of
              The Surgeon General (OTSG) on the developing situation in the
              Persian Gulf, the office of the Chief, Army Nurse Corps
              empowered the Chief Nurses of Health Services Command, Forces
              Command, and 7th Medical Command to make all decisions necessary
              to the mobilization effort and to communicate directly with the
              major directorates of OTSG (Personnel and Health Care
              operations). Coordination and feedback between all offices
              ensured that the Chief, Army Nurse Corps received timely
              information updates and policy guidance was provided as needed.
              This operational approach was key to the Corps' ability to
              respond rapidly to the many demands of Operation Desert Shield.
                  A Desert Shield Situation Group, consisting of ANC staff
              officers serving in the Military District of Washirgton area,
              was formed in mid-August to facilitate communication and to
              identify potential policy issues. This group researched and
              provided input to appropriate agencies on the following topics:
                     - Clinical issues included field nursing documentation,
              treatment of casualties, and equipment deficiencies.
 nations and nursing
              practice by host nations were researched and information
              provided to the field.
                     - Professional organizations were queried, their concerns
              addressed, and information was provided to keep them abreast
              with the developing situation. Provisions for extensions wore
              made with professional certification organizations and various
              state licansure boards for ANC officers serving in operation
              Desert Shield/Storm.
                     - Education policy recommendations were made to keep
              Active and Reserve Components officers in Long Term Civilian
              Health Education and Training as much as possible. All TDY
              courses were cancelled except for those that were AOC
              producing. The Academy of Health Sciences provided a two week
              Mobilization Course for 902 Reserve Component nurses. This
              course was utilized to ensure that reservists met minimal
              deployability standards.
                  In coordination with FORSCOM, ESC, and the AN Branch,
              identification was made of the proper skills needed by
              individuals to serve in SWA. Also during this time, the ARCENT
              Chief Nurse was identified and involved in the early planning
              and policy development.
                   The request for volunteers went out in August. More than
              800 nurses responded and of this number, 464 were identified for
              active duty based an need, specialty, and grade. Simultaneously,
              in a coordinated effort with ARPERCEN, records of retired Army
              Nurse Corps officers were boarded in anticipation of a possible

Document 24 f:/Week-36/BX003205/OTSG OBSERVATIONS AND LESSONS LEARNED/office of the surggeon general after action repo:1224960931165
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-36
Box ID = BX003205
Unit = OTSG
Parent Organization = HSC
Folder Title = OTSG OBSERVATIONS AND LESSONS LEARNED
Folder Seq # = 9
Subject = OFFICE OF THE SURGGEON GENERAL AFTER ACTION REPO
Document Seq # = 2
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 24-DEC-1996