<P> Chapter IV, Article 25 of the Geneva Convention states that: "Members of the armed forces specially trained for employment, should the need arise, as hospital orderlies, nurses or auxiliary stretcher - bearers, in the search for or the collection, transport or treatment of the wounded and sick shall likewise be respected and protected if they are carrying out these duties at the time when they come into contact with the enemy or fall into his hands ." Article 29 reads: "Members of the personnel designated in Article 25 who have fallen into the hands of the enemy, shall be prisoners of war, but shall be employed on their medical duties insofar as the need arises ." </P> <P> According to the Geneva Convention, knowingly firing at a medic wearing clear insignia is a war crime . </P> <P> In modern times, most combat medics carry a personal weapon, to be used to protect themselves and the wounded or sick in their care . When and if they use their arms offensively, they then sacrifice their protection under the Geneva Conventions . </P> <P> Surgeon Dominique Jean Larrey directed the Grande Armée of Napoleon to develop mobile field hospitals, or "ambulances volantes" (flying ambulances), in addition to a corps of trained and equipped soldiers (infirmiers tenues de service) to aid those on the battlefield . Before Larrey's initiative in the 1790s, wounded soldiers were either left amid the fighting until the combat ended or their comrades would carry them to the rear line . </P>

What did you need to be a physician in the ottoman empire