Photo By Spc. Chad Tramel | Cpl. Michael Demercede (left) and Cpl. Desiree Demercede (center), 215th Area Support...... read more read more
Many people say that everything happens for a reason.
The statement proved true for a married couple who happened to be promoted into the same Indiana Army National Guard unit on the same day.
Corporals Michael and Desiree Demercede are combat medic specialists with the 215th Area Support Medical Company, based in Franklin.
Desiree, originally from Switzerland, moved to Minnesota in 2011 to live with her dad. She stayed and graduated from high school there, then joined the Minnesota Army National Guard after.
“The fact that I lived in a different country is what pushed me to do something like that,” Desiree said. “The U.S. gave me a lot when I first came here, and I wanted to give back.”
Michael, originally from Munster, took a gap year after his high school graduation to figure out what he wanted to do before deciding that he wanted to join the armed forces.
“I actually talked to an Army recruiter about joining the Marines, because I had no idea there was a difference,” Michael said.
The two met during their advanced individual training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas in July 2018 after their respective basic individual trainings.
“I ended up having a wisdom tooth issue at reception,” Michael said. “When I landed, I was good, and then I woke up with the worst pain in my mouth ever.”
Michael had to have the tooth removed and then recover from the surgery before starting basic training, ultimately not training with the original group he arrived with.
The two graduated from their advanced training in November 2018 and traveled back to their respective Midwestern homes, initially planning to meet up again during the holidays.
“About two weeks later, she sends me a text saying that she's about to buy a bus ticket to come see me for a couple days,” Michael said. “I pick her up and instead of staying for a couple days, she ends up staying for a whole week.”
These back-and-forth bus trips lasted until March 2019 when they decided to marry and Desiree moved in with Michael.
During this time, Michael learned that his unit, the 113th Engineer Battalion based in Gary, would be deploying that year. During one drill, Michael’s first sergeant asked him what he could do to convince him to join the deployment.
“I was like, ‘let me bring my wife with me,’” Michael said. “Because I thought it wasn’t going to happen.”
Michael’s first sergeant agreed, and Desiree conducted an interstate transfer to Indiana to join the 113th’s deployment to the Middle East.
After the deployment and using up their accrued leave, the two were activated for more military orders.
Desiree assisted at a long-term care facility amid the COVID-19 pandemic, while Michael worked at the Hoosier Youth Challenge Academy assisting at-risk youth between the ages of 16 and 18.
Around the start of 2021, the two each received calls from the 215th, informing them that they were both being promoted into their unit.
“We've been told that we were like the unicorn around here,” Michael said.
Shortly after joining the 215th, the two traveled with the unit to Fort Hunter Liggett, California to participate in the annual Global Medic training event.
“I’ve learned so much,” Desiree said. “It’s been great getting to know these noncommissioned officers and getting advice from them has been really helpful in building me as a noncommissioned officer.”
Michael agreed.
“This is my first time working with a team of medics and doctors,” Michael said. “It's a new area for me, so I'm getting used to it, and I appreciate the opportunity to explore more of my field.”
| Date Taken: | 07.01.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 07.01.2021 14:50 |
| Story ID: | 400233 |
| Location: | INDIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 1,291 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Married medics promoted into same National Guard unit on same day, by SPC Chad Tramel, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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