Courtesy Photo | U.S Army Pfc. Ian Flores (foreground), a health care specialist for 54th Engineer...... read more read more
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LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – For the route clearance soldiers of 541st Sapper Engineer Company, 54th Engineer Battalion, 18th Engineer Brigade’s Task Force Dolch, stationed on Forward Operating Base Shank, Afghanistan, an injured soldier’s ability to survive often comes down to the performance, experience and dedication of their medics.
To provide the level of professional care needed for a combat environment, medics have learned to adapt an emotional detachment while treating their patients - a trait they turn on and off at will, said U.S. Army Capt. Larry Ake, TF Dolch’s battalion surgeon and native of Manteca, Calif.
Ake said he has been an Army medic since 1988 and was a special forces medic for 10 years. For the last three years, Ake taught medical subject matter to students.
“There are different personality types of medics, but I’ve always found that there is callous humor among the medics,” continued Ake, discussing the personality type he believes is best suited for a Soldier to be an Army combat medic. “You must desensitize yourself, yet still give the best care. At the same time, you have to be able to walk away, or it can destroy you.
“I’ve seen death and mangled bodies and all levels of horror,” continued Ake. “I had to cut away skin on several burn victims to alleviate swelling and possible limb loss.”
Ake said he has known other people who can only be an Army medical professional so long until they have to stop or go into a different field of medicine. However, he has always enjoyed trauma medicine, and said it has never seemed to bother him.
TF Dolch medics’ duties range from performing follow-up patient care and accompanying rotating combat logistic patrols and route-clearance missions to working emergency care and helping move patients from helicopters into triage for care.
U.S. Army Spc. Robert Lubonovich, a TF Dolch health care specialist from Mercer, Pa., said he has an innate ability to empathise with his patients.
“There are times when the sight of blood has no effect on me, but when I see the pain in their eyes - and yes, I can see their pain - I can’t really shut it off,” said Lubonovich. “It’s almost like looking into their souls.”
U.S. Army Spc. Jay Santos, a combat medic for TF Dolch and native of Norzagaray, Philippines, pursued a career in the medical-health field because he said he enjoyed taking care of people.
Many people are unaware of the sacrifices involved in being an Army medic. A normal work day for Santos stretches about 14 hours. Santos’ hours leave him little personal time. Santos said he witnessed some horrific things.
“Back in 2008, Dec. 25 ... we were hit by a vehicle-borne (improvised) explosive device,” said Santos. “The whole vehicle was reduced to fragments ....”
Santos became filled with anger toward the lifeless suicide bomber, as he recalled the events.
“Why do people waste the value of life? Life is so precious you ought to take care of it,” said Santos. “One of my worst nightmares is a Soldier dying in my arms.”
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. James Bradley, the unit’s medical non-commissioned officer-in-charge, and native of Long Beach, Calif., said this is the career he chose, and he is good at it.
“I know my job and have five to six more years left until I retire,” said Bradley, explaining his driving force to continue treating wounded soldiers despite his emotional and family sacrifices. “This makes it an easier job for me. It’s always a great reward to save lives.”
Bradley said not everyone can turn their emotions on and off. Turning emotions back on is harder than turning them off, but possessing this quality makes for better medics, he said.
“The Army now has programs that help us deal with our emotions and transition back into the world,” said Bradley. “I’ve lost several soldiers, and if someone I know gets hurt badly, it’s like I still have to go on and that’s life.”
The medics of the 54th Engineer Battalion have a dangerous and important role in the Army. They provide initial wound treatment, keep patients stable during transport and risk their lives on the battlefield to save the lives of other soldiers. They say their goal is simple - keep patients alive and in the best possible shape until they can get to a hospital.
| Date Taken: | 05.14.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 05.13.2011 16:59 |
| Story ID: | 70342 |
| Location: | LOGAR PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 394 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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