Courtesy Photo | BALAD, Iraq (Aug. 4, 2006) -- Shortly after he reenlisted for four years in the Army,...... read more read more
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by Spc. Lee Elder
133rd MPAD
BALAD, Iraq-- " An Army medic has found himself taking on a lot of responsibility early in his military career, culminating with his being chosen as 'soldier of the Month" for 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery.
Spc. Brian Koerner, 20, would more than likely be a college junior if he had not joined the Army during his senior year at Mesquite (Texas) High School. Instead, he serves as treatment team leader for the medical platoon that serves 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, Task Force Band of Brothers, also known as "Task Force Pacesetter."
"It was just a way for me to get started on a career path," Koerner said as he finished up an all-night shift manning the battalion's aid station. "I wanted to get a certain stepping stone that the Army would be able to help me get done easier than the civilian world. Plus, you get to travel."
And travel he has. He first went to Fort Knox, Ky., and then to Fort Sam Houston, Texas, where he trained to be an Army medic. Upon reporting to his first permanent duty station at Fort Carson, Colo., he began training again. This time, he was preparing for duty in northern Iraq.
Koerner is among nine medics and a physician's assistant who are charged with caring for more than 500 members of Task Force Pacesetter. The task force patrols one of the most contentious areas in northern Iraq and also provides fire support for Logistical Support Area Anaconda and surrounding base camps.
As treatment team leader, Koerner has been given a large responsibility for such a relatively new Soldier. Yet, it doesn't seem to faze him.
"I just try to do my best and do everything that's right," Koerner said. "It all falls together.
"There are a lot of times when you are put in where you have to work with somebody who is older and definitely outranks you. It hasn't really been a big issue when you approach it with tact."
His job entails everything from running daily sick call activities to ensuring unit medical personnel are trained for emergency situations. He also works to make sure patients receive follow-on care that is prescribed by doctors and physician assistants.
Koerner is a class act, according to his supervisor, Sgt. Justin Folts, the platoon's treatment noncommissioned officer in charge. He said the quiet Texan has done everything asked of him and more.
"He's a high-speed Soldier," Folts said. "He shows a lot of enthusiasm."
Folts said Koerner works with little supervision and praised him for being a self-starter.
"He steps up to the plate and he doesn't have to be micromanaged," Folts said. "You give him a task and he gets'er done. His reputation goes a long way."
Koerner's reputation in the task force has grown in recent days. He competed for Soldier of the Month and won it after appearing at a board made up of the unit's senior noncommissioned officers.
"It was kind of nerve wracking," Koerner said. "I was nervous the whole time.
"I have a real good rapport with the senior leadership in the battalion, and I knew what I was doing when I went in there. I studied and I was just going in there to be the best Soldiers out of the whole group."
Folts credited Koerner's victory with his preparation. He spent what few spare moments he had memorizing data and preparing himself for the board members" challenging questions.
"He was motivated," Folts said. "He studied and wanted me to constantly quiz him."
Koerner is the only son among five children born of Keith Koerner of Lewisville, Texas, and Rebecca Forney of Wagner, Texas. He said he talks to his parents often and tries to reduce their worries about his service here.
"They're proud but scared," Koerner said. "They are nervous for me."
Koerner said his parents" apprehension has eased somewhat during his time here. He is due to return home this fall.
"The first part of the deployment, I was out doing missions," Koerner said. "That kind of made them nervous, and I was real hesitant about telling them what was going on.
"When I told them I got pulled into the aid station and was doing this position full time, they felt a lot of relief. It's not as dangerous."
Still, there are a lot of challenges that lie ahead. Temperatures here regularly soar to more than 120 degrees making things just right for a variety of heat-related injuries.
"It hasn't been that rough," Koerner said of the heat. "We are keeping the Soldiers well educated on hot weather and everybody is staying well hydrated and well nourished.
"The task force has come up with several plans whenever we get into the higher temperatures during the day. We try to work with the patrol leaders to make sure the Soldiers aren't overworked during the day."
Despite the hardships, Koerner said he is happy here. On Aug. 4, he reenlisted for four more years and hopes to eventually be trained as a registered nurse.
"I like being in Iraq," Koerner said. "I like being able to deploy because it gives you a sense of honor."
That honor is maintained despite the public's hesitation about having so many young people like Koerner in harm's way every day. He said he stays above the controversy.
"Some people disagree with the reason why we are over here," Koerner said. "The ladies and gentlemen I'm fighting with, their whole idea and mindset is that they will go to combat to defend the freedoms and defend the USA.
"Even if somebody disagrees with us being in Iraq, we're fighting against terrorism that could very easily come back to the United States."
| Date Taken: | 08.10.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 08.10.2006 13:00 |
| Story ID: | 7431 |
| Location: | BALAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 285 |
| Downloads: | 88 |
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