Serving for maximum potential

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class P. Behringer | Sgt. Matthew Willich (right), a combat medic assigned to Headquarters Support Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division, evaluates medical trauma training for soldiers set to compete in the Army’s upcoming Best Ranger, Sapper and Medic competitions, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, March 14. In addition to creating training environments and making his peers better combat lifesaver qualified personnel, Willich said he likes helping those who can’t help themselves. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Paige Behringer)  

FORT BRAGG, NC, UNITED STATES

03.14.2017

Story by Sgt. P. Behringer 

49th Public Affairs Detachment   

FORT BRAGG, N.C. – Sgt. Matthew Willich won’t settle for mediocre.
“My drive is to be among the best that the Army has to offer,” Willich proclaimed.
The 28 year-old combat medic knows what he wants and how to get it.
Willich left the Army in 2011 following four personally significant years of service including a deployment to Afghanistan with the 173rd Airborne Brigade.
“My first deployment was the thing that I always refer back to when I think what to set (as) my standard of my accomplishments,” Willich said.
After pursuing an education Willich returned to the Army in 2015, ready to succeed with Headquarters Support Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division.
As far as being the best, Willich is hard at work for the title. The Fort Worth, Texas native placed second in the 82nd Airborne Division’s Best Medic Competition in 2016, and went on to compete for the Army-wide title of Best Medic.
“I want to be well rounded and I want to be the best at everything,” Willich said. “I want to be able to smoke everybody at everything.”
Now, Willich is helping new contenders prepare for the upcoming Army’s Best Medic, Sapper and Ranger Competitions as an augmented medic.
“I’m very honored than I got even picked for it,” Willich added.
Looking ahead, Wilich will be participating in Austere Medic School, an Army pilot school a select few medics will be testing.
“I serve because I believe the Army will give me the opportunities to reach my full potential as a person,” Willich concluded.

• Date Taken: 03.14.2017
• Date Posted: 03.16.2017 15:08
• Story ID: 227088
• Location: FORT BRAGG, NC, US
• Hometown: FORT WORTH, TX, US