The origins and history of the Army Medical Department's (AMEDD) Medical NCO Corps provides insight for today's Noncommissioned Officer. The history of the AMEDD Hospital Steward is as diverse and complicated as any other NCO in the United States Army. A review of this history reveals evolving duties and responsibilities that have shaped and guided the AMEDD's NCO Corps into a modern pre-eminent force multiplier. Wars, conflicts, and constant reorganization have gradually affected the Medical NCO over time and have enabled this group of NCOs to keep pace with a changing modernization of the fighting force. Surprisingly, the name of the Hospital NCO has changed, but the basic skills, knowledge, and attitudes have not. Whether called a Hospital Steward in the past or a Healthcare Specialist of the present, the main focus of the Medical NCO has not changed in over 200 years: Provide quality care to the fighting force and train the soldiers under their care.

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