The combat lifesavers (CLS) are nonmedical military personnel with additional trauma training beyond basic first-aid procedures. The additional duties of combat lifesavers are to provide enhanced first aid for injuries based on their training before more advanced medical care arrives.

During the Care Under Fire phase, they will focus on gaining fire superiority and preventing further risk to casualties but can also apply self-aid principles and assist in casualty movement, if tactically feasible. In the Tactical Field Care phase, they can independently perform a casualty assessment and render any MARCH PAWS treatments that are indicated, although they may need to return to the fight if the situation changes. Also, the CLS can support CMC personnel and receive additional guidance and direction from them, as appropriate.