We would like to wish a happy Corps Day to the highly skilled and trained service personnel of the Royal New Zealand Army Medical Corps who balance two professions in one – the profession of medicine and the profession of arms – to ensure the wellbeing and health of all personnel within the New Zealand Defence Force.
The history of military medicine goes back many centuries, but for New Zealand the origins of the Royal New Zealand Army Medical Corps begins officially 7 May 1908. It included personnel in the Permanent Force, Militia, Volunteers, Field Ambulances, and the Military Sanitary Service. It was not until 1947 that the Army Medical Corps as it stands today was formed with the inclusion of the territorial New Zealand Medical Corps into its ranks and the granting of a Royal title.
After an intensive tri-service training period, personnel of the Army Medical Corps are involved in almost all military exercises and operations. They provide everything from routine medical care to pre-hospital combat casualty treatment. At times of crisis, they provide life-saving care with professionalism, calm, and courage, living up to their Corps motto: Semper Agens, Semper Quietus – Always Alert, Always Calm.
Learn about a trophy shield with 100+ year old tale of “efficiency in first aid”, ruthless opinions, and a modern mystery.