Clay Spenser becomes an official member of Bravo Team in this episode.
FAST1 - First Access for Shock and Trauma, a spring loaded device that is used on the sternum to allow for quick access to the vascular system for the purpose of an intraosseous infusion, the FAST1 is a newer tool that is used by Air Force & Army combat medics and Navy corpsman. An intraosseous infusion is the process of injecting fluids and medications directly into the bone marrow, which provides direct access to the vascular system. Intraosseous infusions are used when a standard intravenous access is not practical, like an emergency situation where the patient cannot wait for a proper vein to be located and accessed. Intraosseous infusions are particularly useful for combat medics, as it can be difficult and time consuming to access a vein, especially in a combat situation, plus heavy blood loss and cause a massive drop in blood pressure making finding and accessing a vein next to impossible. Devices such as the FAST1 allow medics, and those with only basic first aid training, to be able to rapidly and easily administer fluids and medications until the patient is stabilized and moved to a safe area where a proper IV can be inserted. Intraosseous infusions should only be done in extreme cases where IV access isn't practical as inserting needles into bone marrow can cause serious complications, as it requires a lot of force and can cause bone fractures and bone and tissue damage if the needle breaks off inside.
Private First Class Lucas Garner is based off Private Bowe Bergdahl, a US Army solider who was held captive by the Haqqani network, an Islamic insurgent group in Afghanistan and Pakistan with close ties to the Taliban, from 2009 to 2014. Then PFC Bergdahl was captured on June 30, 2009 after deserting his post, though at first it was not known that he deserted, there was uncertainty as to how he was captured. While he was in captivity Bergdahl was promoted to Specialist in 2010 and then Sergeant in 2011, however upon hearing of this disgruntled members of Bergdahls unit came forward and said they felt he deserted as he had spoken to his bunkmate about his desire to do so, and they admitted he left all his equipment behind, neatly stacked. Bergdahl was recovered on May 31, 2014 in a prisoner exchange, the Taliban agreed to release him in exchange for five prisoners from Guantanamo Bay being transferred to Afghanistan, the prisoners were escorted to Afghanistan by a Delta Force team, where they then conducted the prisoner exchange where Bergdahl was released Delta Force peacefully and without incident. In June of that year the Judge Advocate General's office began an investigation into Bergdahl's capture, specifically his conduct leading up to it, they found sufficient evidence to convene a general court martial. Sergeant Bergdahl was charged with violating two provisions of the UCMJ: one count of "desertion with intent to shirk important or hazardous duty" and one count of "misbehavior before the enemy by endangering the safety of a command, unit or place"; the latter charge carries a potential sentence of life in prison. Admitting to what he had done Sgt. Bergdahl pled guilty to both counts, on November 3, 2017 he was sentenced to a dishonorable discharge, immediate reduction in rank to private and fined $10,000 from his back pay, the judge found that prison time was not appropriate due to his lengthy captivity, which included torture, and his admission of guilt.