Photo By Sgt. Dani Salvatore | Spc. Kayoed Ilesanmi, a medical laboratory specialist for the 1st Area Medical...... read more read more
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MONROVIA, Liberia – Capt. Jarod Brammer, a microbiologist with the 1st Area Medical Laboratory, Joint Forces Command - United Assistance, stands tall as he clearly explains the step-by-step precautionary procedures for testing blood samples that may be infected with the Ebola virus, in an Army mobile lab located in Tappita, Liberia, Jan. 6.
As the facility’s officer in charge, Brammer leads his team to complete missions that could be hazardous if not carried out properly. Missions that make for a quicker turnaround on test results for suspected Ebola patients, which could lead to saving countless lives.
Brammer was ambitious to be a part of the initial U.S. military response to the Ebola outbreak in such a prominent role.
It’s a tip-of-the-spear mission, being part of primary operations rather than indirect missions supporting a main objective, said Brammer.
A unique background and extensive education led to him being selected as the lab supervisor.
Brammer was sought after for the position of OIC, said Staff Sgt. Joshua Biggess, a medical laboratory specialist, 1st AML, JFC-UA, who works with him in the lab.
“They knew his special skill set and wanted to have him for this mission,” said Biggess.
According to Brammer, this is a rare occurrence for his specialty.
“Scientists aren’t usually in the primary seat, it’s usually infantry,” he said.
Although he is now a scientist, being on the frontline is not new to this former enlisted infantryman who joined the Army after the 9/11 attacks.
Brammer was 19 years old and had been attending college for seven days when the attacks occurred, he said. He felt so compelled to be part of the war effort against terrorism that he dropped out in order to join.
For four years, he served back-to-back deployments as an infantryman, fighting in wars against the terrorism that inspired his enlistment.
After completing multiple tours, Brammer joined the Army National Guard and went back to college, where he found his talent for biology.
While in his final semester of graduate school, he applied to become an Army medical officer and, upon acceptance, completed his final exams early to rejoin the Army’s active component as a microbiologist.
He was stationed at Fort Bragg working at Womack Army Medical Center when he received a call to transfer early to his current unit to join them for Operation United Assistance.
Brammer said, as a microbiologist, his work here is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“It’s Ebola – the holy grail for microbiologists,” he said.
It is the virus’ unique traits that make him eager to work with it.
Ebola is a particularly challenging virus because it has the potential to appear and be fatal in a small amount of time, Brammer said.
Going from an infantryman completing combat missions to a microbiologist providing leading efforts in a humanitarian mission may seem like quite a change, but his journey has proved beneficial to his current position.
“He has really great leadership abilities and is comfortable in any situation,” said Biggess. “He can adapt and overcome anything.”
His past experience also helps him relate to Soldiers.
“As a prior enlisted Soldier, he has a lot of insight and is a good mentor,” said Biggess.
Knowing Brammer’s experience, education and ambition, it is easy to see why the 1st AML was eager to have him to provide leadership for this mission.
“He has been a great addition to the [unit],” said Biggess. “He makes sure everyone is trained to standard and has brought a lot of experience to this mission.”
| Date Taken: | 01.06.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 01.08.2015 17:33 |
| Story ID: | 151550 |
| Location: | MONROVIA, LR |
| Web Views: | 936 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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