2-502 medic shows his mettle, provides critical care

Courtesy Photo | CAMP STRIKER, Iraq -- Pfc. Steven Koontz, medic, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, performs first aid on a wounded comrade during a recent mission. Koontz provides critical care for Soldiers when they need it most. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Doug Pfeffer, 2nd Bn., 502nd Inf. Regt.)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

06.08.2006

Courtesy Story

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34th Red Bull Infantry Division

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq " When Soldiers become injured or ill during a combat operation, Soldiers turn to their platoon medics to render the necessary medical attention. When the Soldiers of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, become ill or injured, they turn to their own medic; Pfc. Steven Koontz.

Koontz has served as a medic with Co. C, 2nd Bn., 502nd Inf. Regt., since the spring of 2005. Although he is assigned to the battalion's Headquarters and Headquarters Company, the majority of his time has been spent with the men of Co. C.

A native of Simi Valley, Calif., Koontz graduated from Simi Valley High School in 1995. One of his first civilian jobs was at an Army post in Stuttgart, Germany. While there, he said he was deeply affected by the professionalism exhibited by the men and women in uniform. He said he would often catch himself daydreaming of joining the U.S. Army.

After much thought, he said he decided to take his destiny into his own hands, and in December 2004, he enlisted in the Army as a medic.

It was a decision that would change his life forever.

After attending basic combat training and advanced individual training, he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.

Assigned as a line medic with Co. C, Koontz said he had to prove his expertise as a medic and as an infantryman conducting patrols and assisting on numerous air assaults. With this in mind, he threw himself into the training, honing his skills for the battles that lay ahead, he added. He said he worked on his skills tirelessly, and before long, he proved that he would be a valuable asset in the days to come.

"The men in this company have grown to depend on their medic for everything from gunshot wounds to the occasional blister," said 1st Lt. Andrew Jones, his platoon leader, who has seen Koontz grow over the past year. "Koontz has been there for them at every turn, often making his rounds when he should have been sleeping. A great medic gives the men the confidence to do what they do everyday, and the confidence that he has given my men has easily been the source of their greatness. I wouldn't want to have any other medic when things go bad."

Although there is little doubt that as Koontz's platoon completes their deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, his skills will be put to use again. He said that he "hopes that it is more to treat minor cuts and scrapes than gunshot wounds."

Koontz has been there every step of the way, from conducting civil military operations like treating local children to conducting countless patrols, traffic control point operations, air assaults and cordon and searches.

• Date Taken: 06.08.2006
• Date Posted: 06.08.2006 10:40
• Story ID: 6728
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ