Medics earn their keep in the CAV

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Marcus Butler | Spc. Jamie L. Jameson a medic with the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, patrols through southern Baghdad.  

12.01.2006

Courtesy Story

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division Public Affairs

by Sgt. Marcus Butler
4th BCT (Airborne) 25th ID

One of the biggest moments in the life of child is their right of passage from grade school to the realm of high school. That feeling is like no other in the world. The night before that first day of high school, the children are up all night preparing outfits, hair styles, speaking slang and anything else they may need to make a good first impression because everyone knows that you will never get a second chance to make a first impression.

For two Paratroopers, making a good first impression was everything; especially since they were to be the only two females in a squadron of over 350 personnel.

Spcs. Jamie L. Jameson and Iris G. Almazan are two medics that were assigned to the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division.

Jameson, who grew up in Palms Springs California, has been in the Army for six years and is on her fourth duty assignment and her second deployment.

"I like being one of the medics. When I was deployed to Afghanistan, I tried and tried to get out with the combat line units but they would not let any of the females go," said Jameson. "When I heard that I was getting the opportunity to get out with the line units, I was very excited and honored."

In many units in the Army, not many females would get the opportunity to go out and walk side by side in combat with their brothers-in-arms in the face of war.

For that reason, these two combat medics do not take their jobs lightly.
"Not a lot of females get this chance, but we have earned our keep here. It feels good to know that we are part of the team now and that we have earned their trust," said Jameson.

"My immediate family is a very close knit bunch. So is my father's side of my family," said Jameson. "I have a lot of military in my family. When I told them I was enlisting I had tremendous support."

These two Paratroopers go out on missions on pretty much a daily basis and are considered one of the team by their co-workers and to the team they are attached to.

"I like working with Almazan," said Jonathan Lessard, a medic with the 1-40th Cav. "She is probably one of better medics that we have and she has learned a lot since she has been here."

Even when they are not out on a tactical mission, these two still have the basic responsibilities of patient sick call procedures of triage and diagnosis.

"Jameson is very high speed and brings a new dynamic to our aid station," said Spc. Kenny Lofton, a medic with 1-40th Cav. "It was kind of weird at first, finding out that we were going to have females working with us. Now, you couldn't ask for two better medics to work with."

Both of these Paratroopers had other options of military occupational specialties but both had their own personal reasons for choosing the medical field.

"My grand mother was a nurse in the Army, so she was probably the main reason I chose the medical field. She would always talk about helping people and making difference," said Jameson.

Even though no one in her family was a nurse in the Army, Almazan's reason for being in the medical field is just as compelling.

"I wanted to help people," said Almazan. "When I came into the Army, I was told that I was deploying so I knew I would get the chance to do my job and that's why I chose it."

Also, growing up in southern California, Almazan had a bit of a rough time getting to where she is today.

"I moved around a lot growing up," said Almazan "I moved all around southern California and lost a lot of friends. My parents divorced when I was ten. I started going back and fourth between them, but I turned out okay even though I didn't have a perfect home," said Almazan.

"I didn't have much support seeing that I was told that I would just end up pregnant and a high school drop out," said Almazan. "I was always told that I would never be able to amount to anything, now being here in the Cavalry, I am proving them all wrong. I am doing something on my own now and that is really important for me."

Even with their different backgrounds both of these Paratroopers are surely defying all odds by taking that hard right turn in their lives instead of an easy left.

• Date Taken: 12.01.2006
• Date Posted: 12.01.2006 08:34
• Story ID: 8454