Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Joe Armas | Spc. Beau Pratt, a medic assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, navigates the...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. -- A wounded paratrooper was lying on the ground, in need of immediate care as bullets were flying overhead. It was a chaotic scenario that played out as Pvt. Dylan Wilson, a medic assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, arrived on the scene. Wilson was faced with a situation in which he had to put his technical and tactical skills into practice to perform life-saving measures. He reacted quickly, performing immediate first aid and transporting the casualty to safety.
At the end of the day, the scenario was simply a simulation of what could happen in a hostile environment, but it was part of a key evaluation that helped determine the winning team of the All American Best Medic Competition, held Oct. 6-8.
Wilson and his teammate Spc. Joshua Schyler, both assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Abn. Div., took home first-place honors.
The lead organizer of the event, Capt. Kelly Walker, said the grueling three-day competition is a test of mental and physical fortitude and a viable method of determining the best medic in the Division.
“This was more than likely the most physically demanding 72-hour period these Soldiers have seen in their careers,” added Walker, who is assigned to the Division’s surgeon cell.
Over the course of three days, the competitors took an Army Physical Fitness Test, conducted day and night land navigation, completed a written exam and took part in a stress shooting range. They also went through an obstacle course, Combat Testing Lanes and completed a 12-mile foot march.
“Every event was a gut check for the competitors,” said Walker. “It was a continuous self-assessment throughout and the events really forced the competitors to dig deep to push through and successfully complete the tasks.
The competitive spirit was apparent by the drive and determination that was on display, added Walker. At the same time, the competitors were all encouraging each other, recognizing that the competition was an overall Division-wide effort, and that it was imperative for the best team to win.
Wilson and Schyler will go on to represent the Division in next month’s Army-wide competition at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
Wilson feels that taking part in the competition helped him grow as a paratrooper and as a medic.
“The amount of confidence I have in abilities has increased two-fold,” said Wilson. “Win or lose, I feel that everyone who took part in this competition can go back to their units and pass along the lessons learned from these past three days. We’re all better now because we took part in this.”
He continued, saying it’s an honor to represent the All American Division in next month’s competition in Texas. “There’s a little bit of pressure, but I’m definitely looking forward to it. Hopefully we can win this one for the Division,” said Wilson.
Walker feels the medics in the 82nd Airborne Division are the finest the Army has to offer, and she threw down the gauntlet for the other units taking part in next month’s Army-wide competition.
“Tell the other units to watch out … the 82nd is coming,” Walker concluded.
| Date Taken: | 10.09.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 10.09.2014 13:08 |
| Story ID: | 144745 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 301 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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