Soldier Spotlight

Photo By Sgt. Sharmain Burch | This week’s U.S. Army Central spotlight is Spc. Cameo J. Sweeting, a USARCENT medic. Sweeting assists Sgt. Nathan C. Long Jr., the noncommissioned officer medical instructor, with teaching the Combat Life Saver course to U.S. Army Central Soldiers. The Combat Life Saver course is esteemed critical training and is a requirement for all Soldiers. (Photo by Sgt. Sharmain Burch USARCENT Public Affairs)  

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, SC, UNITED STATES

12.10.2014

Courtesy Story

U.S. Army Central   

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. – The Soldier Spotlight allows the command to Enhance the Force by recognizing Soldiers and their achievements. This week, U.S. Army Central spotlights Spc. Cameo J. Sweeting, a USARCENT healthcare specialist.

Sweeting assisted Sgt. Nathan C. Long Jr., noncommissioned officer healthcare specialist, USARCENT, with teaching the Combat Lifesaver course to U.S. Army Central Soldiers, Dec. 8-12.

The “Combat Lifesaver” program is recognized by the Army Institute for Professional Development. It educates nonmedical Soldiers with basic medical knowledge. Soldiers are trained to provide care for casualties or assist combat medics in providing care while on the battlefield. This first aid training is a link between self aid and buddy aid; taught to enhance an opportunity to save a life.

The course consists of 40 hours of both didactic and practical training.

"This training is not for the person receiving the training, it’s for the person next to them”, said Sweeting.

Sweeting joined U.S. Army Central in October, fresh out of Advanced Individual Training; training he received to prepare him to be a healthcare specialist, making him not only one of the newest Soldiers to the unit but new to the Army.

Sweeting said he always wanted to be in the military and decided to become a Soldier early this year. Shortly after achieving a Bachelor’s of Arts in Criminal Justice, Sweeting was shipped to Basic Combat Training.

Though he was born in the Bahamas, Sweeting grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where he was enrolled in the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps program while in high school.

He said, although initially he was advised to enroll in the program it did not take long for him to appreciate the challenge of being in the program and pushed to excel. He also said, while attending Florida Atlantic University, he presided over multiple school clubs, while also enrolled in the ROTC program; and advanced to become the battalion commander.

“I’m used to being in charge”, said Sweeting. “But as an enlisted Soldier, I am given the opportunity to see the other side and the challenges that comes along with it. Like I said, I’ve always wanted to join the military and now that I am in the military I feel encouraged”.

He takes great pride in training Soldiers with the combat lifesaving skills Soldiers need in their “tool-kit”, said Long. “ And I am happy to have him as a part of the team”.

Though Sweeting is devoted to his career progression he said he takes pleasure during his personal time as well. Some of Sweeting’s hobbies are playing basketball and learning how to play the piano and guitar.

Though Sweeting has just begun his Army career earlier this year, he said he looks forward to a long career as a Soldier and aims to be an Army officer one day.

• Date Taken: 12.10.2014
• Date Posted: 12.10.2014 11:54
• Story ID: 149947
• Location: SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, SC, US