U.S. Army Spc. Megan McCartney
FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, Aug. 5, 2005 — A reservist’s commitment to volunteer service has garnered her a top Army and national honor.
Spc. Megan McCartney, Army National Guardsman and combat medic-in-training from the 232nd Medical Battalion here, is the Army’s recipient of the American Legion Spirit of Service Award.
The prestigious award is given annually to five enlisted service members — one E-5 and below from each military branch — for their off-duty volunteer service in the community.
McCartney, part-time member of the Louisiana Army National Guard and full-time emergency medical technician for a civilian hospital, is not just the second reservist to ever receive this honor, she is also the third soldier medic in four years to earn the award, according to Joe March, a legion spokesman.
“The fact that soldier medics have been recurring recipients of this award is a testament to the quality of soldiers volunteering to serve as combat medics today,†said Lt. Col. Brian Kueter, 232nd Medical Battalion commander. “Service before self is part of the combat medic culture, and McCartney is a prime example of that commitment.â€
As a former combat medic (I also completed my combat medic training with the 232nd Medical Battalion at Ft. Sam Houston), I’m not surprised to find out that this award has been given to Soldier Medics 3 of the last 4 years.
While I respect Soldiers of all MOSs, I have a special affinity for Combat Medics (which was a 91B when I enlisted, but has been changed recently to a 91W). These are soldiers who have trained and are committed to treating the battlefield wounded—regardless of uniform or nationality.
That means that an Iraqi terrorist who just shot you in the chest will get the same world-class medical care as a fallen US Soldier. It also means that sometimes you’ll also be called upon to act as a grief counsler for your fellow soldiers, or you might have to save the life of a little Iraqi girl who was wounded by a cluster bomb.
As Blackfive said, “Nobody loves medics like the Infantry. Nobody. They deserve all the recognition we can give them.”
Congratulations on the award, Spc. McCartney. And welcome to one of the most revered and beloved brotherhood of Soldiers—the Combat Medics.
