Line medics keep the infantry on its feet

MOSUL, IRAQ

09.22.2004

Courtesy Story

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By Spc. Gretel Sharpee

MOSUL, Iraq - It might be hard to distinguish a line medic in a crowd of infantry Soldiers, when only a pair of shears attached to his vest or a large aid bag on his shoulders sets him apart.

Although he carries a weapon to defend himself or his comrades if necessary, the medic's primary mission is to save lives, a responsibility he does not take lightly. He also ensures that every Soldier in his unit is trained to perform basic lifesaving skills in the event a medic is not immediately available.

"Essentially, I do the same thing as an infantry Soldier, going out on daily patrols and missions with my platoon, but my job also involves more than making sure my guys don't get hurt from combat wounds. Just the everyday heat and wear on my guys keeps me busy," said Spc. Frank Brown, a medic assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team). Infantry Soldiers aren't always the first to admit they are hurt or in need of medical attention.

This requires line medics to be aware of the conditions that their Soldiers are facing. Operating in 120+ degree heat and conducting two to three patrols a day throughout the city can take a toll on Soldiers. The medic's duties can range from handing out a weekly anti-malaria pill to treating an infected blister on a Soldier's foot, but it is always focused on maintaining the well being of Soldiers around them.

"I think I have one of the best jobs in Iraq," said Sgt. Justin White, medical squad leader for Company A, 2-3 Inf. Regt."Being deployed with an infantry brigade gives us the ultimate opportunity to learn how to apply our skills in a combat environment," White said. "In every situation we are improving our skills, making us better Soldiers, and better medics."Each battalion with the Stryker Brigade has a Medical Platoon, with each squad responsible for a company or an Aid Station within the battalion.The line medic squad assigned to Company A, 2-3 Inf. Regt. is made up of six medics and one squad leader.

They range from a sergeant with four years experience to a private first class fresh out of Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.Pfc. Troy Smith is the newest member of Company A's medic squad, arriving in country just four months ago after finishing the 16-week Health Care Specialist (Combat Medic) course."When I got here I knew the guys weren't going to like getting a brand new medic right out of training, but I was confident in my skills," Smith said. "I also had a lot of good training from my squad leader and 1st platoon's previous medic when I first got here, so I was just hoping for the best."

For Smith and his platoon, the adjustment period of having a new medic was short-lived. The first day Smith was on a patrol, the patrol was attacked. Smith immediately returned fire, and then treated the terrorist who had tried to kill his fellow Soldiers just moments before.

"Our job as an Army Medic is to preserve life, to keep the victims of any situation alive no matter what nationality or circumstance that brought them to that state," White said. "If we have helped them to the best of our ability that is all we can do."With that in mind, Smith treated the terrorist to the best of his ability.

However, the terrorist fought Smith's efforts to stop his bleeding and later died from his injuries. Smith said that he reacted and did what needed to be done, like he knew he would do for anyone who was in need of medical help. The members of Smith's platoon said they were impressed with their new medic's ability to react in an intense and previously unfamiliar situation.

"The very first day he was with us we were ambushed, and he helped in that and then treated the terrorist," said Spc. Joe Kerr, radio operator for 1st platoon. "We all got to see first hand his abilities as a medic, and that was all we needed to see to have confidence in him. He was good to go after that." Members of medic squad also teach Combat Lifesaver classes to the Soldiers in Company A. Soldiers who become CLS qualified are able to provide basic care to a wounded person until the advanced medical care of a medic, physician's assistant or doctor becomes available. "We try and keep 100 percent of our unit CLS qualified," said Sgt. Shaun Cuthbert, senior line medic with Company A.

"Since we are a mobile, forward-deployed infantry company, it is important that everyone has these medical skills to treat injuries and sustain life until a medic or medical evacuation becomes available."When time permits, White emphasizes training on wounds that are common to the current situation his medics are operating in. Since arriving in Iraq, the focus has been on treating wounds resulting from mortar attacks, small arms fire and improvised explosive devices.

These wounds include fire-blast wounds to the face and upper body that can come from IEDs, penetrating wounds throughout the body and airway-compromising wounds that can happen with any incident. First aid for other injuries such as heat and shock is also a priority.

The most important mission of a line medic is earning the trust and respect of the Soldiers in his platoon. Without this, his ability to bring confidence to the Soldiers who put themselves in harm's way every day would be lost."My guys are out here doing their job multiple times a day, every day, ensuring the safety of the Soldiers on the FOB to the best of their ability," said Sgt. First Class John Healey, platoon sergeant for Company A's 1st platoon. "It is a challenging mission to carry out every day, but I have good Soldiers and knowing I have good medics to take care of those Soldiers makes it worthwhile."

When asked what made them become Army medics, most of the Soldiers in the Company A medical squad replied like Spc. James Mapps."I had an interest in it before I got to the Army, which got me in, and now that I am actually doing it, it feels great to be able to help people when they are hurt," Mapps said. "It is a weird feeling to be out on a mission and responsible for everyone around you," he continued, "but I trust my guys and they trust me, and you just have to be ready for what comes your way."

• Date Taken: 09.22.2004
• Date Posted: 09.22.2004 15:32
• Story ID: 396
• Location: MOSUL, IQ