Army Medical Service (Germany)
The Army Medical Service (German: Sanitätsdienst Heer or Sanitätsdienst des Heeres[1]) is a non-combat specialty branch of the German Army traditionally responsible for providing medical services within the army, and which has a humanitarian function during armed conflicts in accordance with international humanitarian law, and specific rights and responsibilities under the Geneva Conventions, their additional protocols and customary international humanitarian law.
The first Army Medical Service was established in Prussia and Germany between 1868 and 1873, and was regulated by the Kriegssanitätsordnung für das deutsche Heer from 1878.
Other responsibilities include occupational health services, medical disaster relief and international humanitarian missions in non-combat situations.
It is currently set forth in the First, Second and Fourth Geneva Conventions of 1949, their additional protocols and is recognised under customary international humanitarian law, specifically by rules 25 and 26.
Personnel of the Medical Service using the protective sign are prohibited under the laws of war from taking part in combat action, and facilities or vehicles identified in that way may not be used for military operations.
