Battles, Bandages and Beyond- The Evolution of Military Medicine from an AF Medic’s Perspective- CMSgt (Ret) Steve Cum

      Picture this - you're in the middle of a war zone, your resources are limited, and lives hang in the balance. Now you're starting to grasp the reality of retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Steve Cum's three-decade-long career in the Air Force. In this episode, Steve recounts his remarkable journey, sharing insights on how medical training has evolved over the years, his time in special ops, and his firsthand experiences during the 9-11 deployments, all while highlighting the crucial role of medical personnel in the world's most challenging environments.

  As Steve takes us through his time as an aeromedical specialist, the challenges he faced in the demanding Independent Duty Technician Course, and his experiences in the Special Operations community, we can't help but marvel at his resilience and dedication to the cause. When he talks about his experience in Afghanistan, his tales of patient care under extreme conditions, and the complex logistics of patient evacuation, you'll feel the tension of life on the frontlines, the adrenaline rush, and the immense responsibility that comes with it.

 Steve shares valuable leadership lessons that he's picked up from his deployments, his passion for training medical personnel, and the invaluable experiences he gained from his time deployed around the globe. He offers valuable advice to young Air Force airmen looking to make a career in military medicine while reminiscing over the changes he has seen in Air Force Medicine during his illustrious career and contemplating the legacy he hopes to leave in military medicine. Join us as we navigate the highs and lows of a military medic's life with retired Chief Master Sergeant Steve Cum.

Chapters:

(0:00:00) - Air Force Medic Training and Journey

(0:05:20) - Aeromedical Specialist and Independent Duty Medical Technician

(0:12:10) - Medical Response to 9-11 Deployments

(0:18:52) - Medical Response in War Zone

(0:23:38) - Special Operations Medical Training Lessons Learned

(0:36:30) - Leadership Lessons and Memorable Deployments

(0:40:17) - Success in Military Medicine

 

Chapter Summaries:

(0:00:00) - Air Force Medic Training and Journey (5 Minutes)

Retired Chief Master Sergeant Steve Cum shares his story of joining the Air Force, as well as the unique opportunities and experiences he encountered throughout his 30 years of Active Duty service. We discuss how the training of Air Force medics has changed from the 1990s to now and the clinical skills they must have to be successful. Steve also shares valuable leadership advice from his distinguished career in Special Operations and at the top strategic echelons of military medicine.

 

(0:05:20) - Aeromedical Specialist and Independent Duty Medical Technician (7 Minutes)

Steve describes his first assignment as an Aeromedical Specialist, the challenges of the Independent Duty Technician Course, and his experiences in the Special Operations community. He talks about the various schools he attended in the pre-911 era and explains what motivated him to pursue each one.

 

(0:12:10) - Medical Response to 9-11 Deployments (7 Minutes)

We discuss the real-world patient experiences and 9-11 story of Chief Master Sergeant Steve Cum. We explore the planning process for missions and trips, the activation of medical personnel after 9-11, and the pri