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ORLANDO, Fla. – Halloween is usually a time for costumes, candy, and neighborhood fun. But for Capt. Jason Delisle, a chaplain candidate with the Army Reserve’s 352nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, this year’s festivities turned into a night he would never forget.
The peaceful evening turned chaotic as Delisle encountered a life-or-death situation upon arriving home with his kids. Delisle found a young man bleeding heavily from a gunshot wound. Without hesitation, Delisle took action, relying on his Army Reserve training to manage the chaos and save a life.
“Realistic training is the best preparation,” stated Delisle. “At the Chaplain Basic Officer Leader Course, we practiced lifesaving casualty care under chaotic and simulated combat conditions. It taught me to stay focused and effective when every second matters.”
In those critical moments, Delisle’s training guided him. He applied pressure to the wound, expertly used a tourniquet to stop the bleeding, and stabilized the young man’s condition until emergency responders arrived. Yet, his compassion made an equally powerful impact. “If I had only the technical skills, I would have been cold and detached,” Delisle explained. “But if I had only compassion, I would have been helpless, watching him bleed out. It’s the combination of the two that makes the difference.”
As the young man struggled to stay conscious, Delisle stayed at his side, holding his hand and offering words of comfort. His calm presence provided more than physical care—it delivered hope.
For Delisle, the role of a chaplain candidate is about addressing both the physical and emotional needs of others. “Chaplains, like medics, are there for more than just physical wounds. We heal the spirit,” he said.
The Army Reserve’s focus on preparing soldiers for any situation stood out during the incident, whether on the battlefield or at home. “The Army Reserve prepares us not just for combat but for the unexpected challenges of life,” Delisle said. “We have to be ready to act—whether it’s the battlefield or your front porch.”
After stabilizing the victim, Delisle turned his attention to the young man’s friends and his own family, who witnessed the traumatic event. Reflecting on the experience, Delisle emphasized the importance of self-care for leaders who support others through crises.
“As chaplains, we’re taught to care for those in crisis, but it’s equally important for us to seek care when we need it,” he said.
A few days later, the victim’s mother wrote Delisle a note, thanking him and emphasizing the significance of his action: “My son was shot last night, and you helped him. Thank you.” Reflecting on the experience, Delisle expressed his gratitude for the preparation that allowed him to respond.
“When I think about what could have been, I’m just grateful I had the training, the tools, and the presence of mind to act,” he said. What began as a night of Halloween festivities transformed into a moment of heroism, defined by courage and selfless service.
| Date Taken: | 12.03.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 12.05.2024 11:46 |
| Story ID: | 486484 |
| Location: | ORLANDO, FLORIDA, US |
| Hometown: | MACON, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 98 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, A Halloween Hero: Army Reserve Chaplain Candidate Saves a Life with Training and Compassion, by MAJ Dianna Pegeuese, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
