Photo By Sgt. Clay Beyersdorfer | U.S. Navy Petty Officer Third Class Matthew Hamilton, a trauma corpsman at the Role 3...... read more read more
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KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – When Petty Officer Third Class Matthew Hamilton decided to join the U.S. Navy, he had one goal in mind.
“I wanted to outrank my dad,” he said with a laugh.
Growing up, Hamilton’s father, who was a chief warrant officer in the Navy, was a major influence both in and out of the uniform on young Matthew.
“He was always my biggest motivator growing up,” Hamilton said. “He would never miss a game or anything. I wouldn’t be where I am at today if it wasn’t for his influence.”
Although he doesn’t outrank his father, Hamilton is making his own impact and creating his own legacy as a Navy reservist – highlighted by his recent recognition as service member of the month at the Role 3 NATO Multi-Medical Unit Hospital, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, where he is currently deployed in support of Operating Enduring Freedom.
He serves as a trauma bay corpsman, responsible for a variety of tasks including, but not limited to, providing airway management to casualties, assisting doctors during surgery and being one of the first responders when casualties are delivered to the hospital.
That experience has paid off, as Hamilton said he has gained a lot of knowledge through his job and from the guidance of doctors and senior medical personnel.
“It feels great doing what I do. You don’t have a lot of time to think when you are dealing with casualties and injuries, it all just becomes natural after a while,” he said.
“Working here I have received a plethora of knowledge. The education I am getting is phenomenal,” he said. “There was a case where several patients came in with multiple lacerations, and the doctor demonstrated how to properly stitch and treat the wounds. Later on, we were able to get hands on and do it ourselves.”
That education, along with his career over the years of serving in the Navy, has transferred to his work as an emergency medical technician in the Kansas City, Mo., area.
“Being an EMT, you are the first responder too, so this experience is definitely paying back into that, and the same could be said for my work as an EMT paying off here,” Hamilton said.
No experience, however, will ever replace growing up with his father and his mother, who also served in the Navy.
“As you get older, you mature and you see the things your parents do for you,” he said. “It has made me appreciate everything a little bit more. The way they have raised me; (I) couldn’t have asked for a better upbringing.”
He also credits his own work ethic for his successful career thus far in the Navy.
“I just always make sure to take the extra initiative,” Hamilton said. “You don’t have to be told to do the right thing, just always make yourself available, without being asked.”
So what does his father think of his time overseas?
“I think he is more excited than I am to be honest,” the younger Hamilton said. “He supports me and I know he is proud of me, and that means more than anything in the world to me.”
The U.S. Navy tradition runs deep in the Hamilton family – one generation at a time.
| Date Taken: | 04.07.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 04.07.2014 10:07 |
| Story ID: | 124639 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF |
| Hometown: | KANSAS CITY, MO, US |
| Web Views: | 77 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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