By Sgt. Natalie Rostek
3rd HBCT Public Affairs
COMBAT OUTPOST CLEARY, Iraq – When Sgt. Seneca Ratledge says he has "been there; done that," he doesn't mean just once or twice. At age 28, he has deployed to Iraq three times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and has had to face the reality of war firsthand as a combat medic.
Ratledge, a Riceville, Tenn., native, is currently deployed to Iraq in support of OIF V as a medic for the Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team. He treats patients on a daily basis at Combat Outpost Cleary in Wahida. His "office" is always open.
"The biggest problems of the patients that come to see me are bug bites and upper respiratory infections from all the dust around," Ratledge explained. "We also get snake bites and small accidental injuries."
Currently, COP Cleary is being renovated from a torn down building and run-down green houses to a base capable of comfortably housing the 1-15 Inf. Soldiers residing there. Ratledge said he treats a lot of patients suffering from injuries caused by the construction efforts.
Ratledge said he doesn't get off the outpost much now and the down time is a drastic change from the experiences he described from his previous deployments.
Seven years ago marked the beginning of what Ratledge describes as one of the most fulfilling times in his life. A Marine recruiter came to his high school and attempted to sell the United States Marine Corps experience to Ratledge but after hearing the offer, he said it wasn't what he wanted. He was, however, intrigued by the thought of serving in the military. After talking to recruiters from each branch of the military, Ratledge determined what he was looking for was an Army experience.
"The Army recruiter gave me the sense that it was going to be a good experience," he said. "I got the sense of physical activity, higher learning, and accomplishment."
Ratledge said he wanted to go into computers when he joined the Army, but after taking the eye exam, found out he was color blind, which disqualified him from serving in a computer-based specialty. He said he also wanted to go into Special Forces, Ranger School and Flight Medic School, but was unable to due to his color blindness.
"After the (color blind) test, they gave me a choice; administration or combat medic," Ratledge said.
The decision was one he said he will never regret even after serving in OIF I and II and now currently in OIF V.
Ratledge takes great pride in his job and the experiences he's had during his seven years in the Army as a combat medic.
He also explained the importance of "keeping your cool" in the event of serious casualties. "Losing it" is just as bad as if a medic were to go down.
"You have to suck it up out there," Ratledge said. "You can either freak out or maintain your composure. If you freak out, everyone else freaks out and nothing gets done."
Along with his job, Ratledge takes pleasure in taking care of his Soldiers, and it is evident when they talk about him.
"He's a great teacher, has a great personality and leads by example," said Pfc. Marisol Garcia, from San Antonio, a medic with the 1-15 Inf., who works with Ratledge.
"He cares about each Soldier he sees as an individual," said Spc. Jeffery Snowden, a native of Phoenix, a medic who also works with Ratledge. "A lot of medics from the (Combat Support Hospital) see different faces everyday so they really don't bond with anyone, but here we know these guys. We sleep near them and work with them and hang out with them, so it's difficult when we see them hurt. Sgt. Ratledge knows that and he understands what we are going through. We feel comfortable talking to him about it."
Ratledge said the Army has taught him to be a better person, a better Soldier and a better leader. He said he can take what he has experienced and explain to the new Soldiers the severity of what they are in for.
"This is real," he said. "I tell them 'people get hurt, you could get hurt.'"
Above all else that he has acquired from his time in the Army, Ratledge said the most important thing he has learned is not to take life for granted.
Ratledge said he intends on making a career of the Army.
"I can't say that I will give it up because I won't," he said. "There is a lot to still get out of it and there is stuff I still haven't seen. Everyone has their stories to tell," Ratledge added. "Just ask. I could go on and on."
| Date Taken: |
05.29.2007 |
| Date Posted: |
05.29.2007 11:37 |
| Story ID: |
10530 |
| Location: |
COMBAT OUTPOST CLEARY, IQ |
| Web Views: |
806 |
| Downloads: |
634 |
PUBLIC DOMAIN
This work, 1-15 medic returns to Iraq for a third time, by SGT Natalie Loucks, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
