History: Combat Medics, Afghanistan

Modern day
Traditionally, medical personnel did not carry weapons and wore a distinguishing red cross, to denote their protection as noncombatants under the Geneva Convention. This practice continued into World War II. However, the enemies faced by pressional armies in more recent conflicts are ten insurgents who either do not recognize the Geneva Convention, or do not care, and readily engage all personnel, irrespective noncombatant status. For this reason, some modern combat medics are armed combatants and do not wear distinguishing markings. Combat Medics in the United States Army and United States Navy Hospital Corpsman are virtually indistinguishable from regular combat troops, save for the extra medical equipment they carry.
The colloquial form address for a Hospital Corpsman or Medic is "Doc." In the U.S. Marine Corps, this term is generally used as a sign respect. The US Navy deploys Corpsman attached to US Marine Corps units as part the Fleet Marine Force (FMF). The US Marines does not maintain a medical corps and relies on Navy Corpsman and other Naval medical personnel for medical care.