Craig Parsons, DDE ‘18
COL Craig Parsons is assigned to the Headquarters, 3d Medical Command (Deployment Support) (3d MC (DS)) working in collaboration for the COVID-19 Response. The command is actively engaged in supporting the COVID-19 “all of government response.” It is one of three medical divisions in the Army Reserve and key to the command’s response has been the contribution of its seven USAWC graduates, from the Commanding General, MG Joe Robinson (DDE ’11), to his three Deputy Commanding Generals, to his three lead Division Staff officers (the Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff G3/5/7, and the Deputy Chief of Staff G1).
What the Soldiers of the 3d MC(DS) are embarking on has never been done before in the history of Army Reserve medicine. With critical analysis and focused USAWC-trained senior leadership, the leaders of this organization navigated managing complex strategic operational planning, in an ever-changing environment, using a model outside of Army Doctrine or the utilization of medical forces. The 3d Medical Command is mobilizing hundreds of Soldiers, in a matter of days across the United States. This mission was to mobilize critical medical support through several 85-Soldier Urban Augmentation Medical Task Forces (UMATFs), supporting FEMA-led Field Medical Stations (FMS) across the U.S. Our folks aligned with fellow sister military services and federal partners to assist, as necessary. In less than two weeks, the 3d MC(DS) created and mobilized five (UAMTFs) to provide medical staffing to a FEMA-led FMS and provide comprehensive care for everything short of surgery and ICU care. These teams are meant to decant clinical work from overloaded areas in COVID-19 hotspots and are deployed throughout the east coast areas of operation to provide critical medical support in hard-hit areas.
As an Army Reserve Medical Command, we are doing everything we can in this fight. Building these teams from the Reserve Force is challenging because this is largely a zero-sum game. These Reserve medical Soldiers are largely practicing their craft in their own communities. It took critical analysis from senior leadership and G-staff to mobilize a provider while ensuring they’re not already essential in the COVID fight. As we monitor the flattening of the curve, we’re able to pull individuals from areas not saturated with patients, and move them to where they’ll be most needed.
COL Craig E. Parsons
Distance Class of 2018
Deputy Chief of Staff, G3/5/7
3d Medical Command (Deployment Support)
