Medial Laboratories

A shaping operation is defined in ADP 3-0 as “an operation at any echelon that creates and
preserves conditions for success of the decisive operation through effects on the enemy, other actors, and the
terrain” (Department of the Army, 2019, p. 4-5, para. 4-27). A good shaping operation will “set conditions for the
success of the decisive operation” (Department of the Army, 2019, p. 4-5, para. 4-27). I understand this to
mean a shaping operation shapes and molds the environment, personnel, or conditions around the unit to
increase the chances of victory. The concept of shaping operations comes down to setting up a field of
contention (socioeconomical, political, environmental, etc.) in the best way possible to ensure a win and
continued superiority in that area.
One of the ten medical functions involved with shaping operations is the medical laboratory service. While the
medical field plays a major role in shaping operations, the medical laboratory service plays a crucial part within
the medical field. This is due to the results that doctors would need to treat patients. The role of the Laboratory
is made even more important through the storing, testing, and use of donor blood products that greatly reduce
battlefield deaths. The medical lab also provides early warning and rapid identification of known biological
pathogens. These roles are not limited to battlefield operations.
In 2014, I took part in a humanitarian mission to Liberia to aid the surrounding areas with an epidemic spread
of Ebola. It was our job to study the virus and train local nationals on the operation of the provided equipment.
Our response was prompt, well planned, and effective. This mission strengthened our social ties with the
country and won many hearts and minds. A lasting framework was established and shaped for future
operations by gaining the trust of the people in Liberia.
A lack of trust between the Liberian people and the United States initially lead to issues with response and
treatment. Liberians believed their government and the United States were going to take away their sick family
members for terrible purposes. They feared they would never see their family again and did not report
infections to the authorities. The virus spread further and was only contained after the Army gained the trust of
the Liberian people.
Gaining the trust of the Liberian people was a socioeconomical and political battlefield that required the
medical laboratory to do their jobs consistently, over time, and with compassion to prove our sincerity and allow
us to function more effectively in the future. If there is another outbreak, the United States Army already has a
shaped battlefield to fight from to ensure victory over disease.
References:
Department of the Army. (2019). Operations. FM 3-0. Washington, DC: Department of the Army. Retrieved
from https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/ARN18010_ADP%203-
0%20FINAL%20WEB.pdf
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I put together this but it needs more:
Medical Laboratories hold a considerable significance when it comes to shaping operations within the medical
field not only because they are dependent on the store, test, and administer blood products and vaccines, as
you mentioned. They also aid in detecting environmental toxins that could cause harm to personnel exposed to
it. The humanitarian mission you took part in Liberia was the perfect example of how medical services can not
be rendered until they have built a relationship with the people. Allowing them to come to seek aid rather than
trying to force them to do an action they believed would result in unfavorable results. There are so many ways
that the mission could have turned out, but it is great to see that your team was able to give the Liberian people
back something they thought was lost. Having or creating a functional shaping operation can be difficult if there
is a lack of support from the local population. This can have lasting effects on more than one area of
operations, actions resulting in the lack of being able to create an environment that is adequate for success
over the decisive operation. Economic, political, and social relationships all work together to foster an
environment that will generate and maintain the necessary foundation for health and social care.