Photo By Staff Sgt. Daniel Bishop | Los Alamos, N.M., native Pfc. Serena Norman, medic, Company C, 589th Brigade Support...... read more read more
By Spc. Allison Churchill
41st Fires Brigade Public Affairs Office
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq – Pfc. Serena Norman took ribbing from her father and three older brothers, all combat arms Army veterans, when she decided to follow their footsteps into the military. Her family expected her to be the one to go straight to college in pursuit of a medical degree.
Instead, she's found a happy medium providing medical coverage for more than 60 of her brothers-in-arms at Joint Security Station Five.
Norman, of Company C, 589th Brigade Support Battalion, 41st Fires Brigade, supports Battery A, 2nd Bn., 20th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Bde. and the Iraqi policemen who rotate through the JSS.
"We're one big happy family," said Norman of the crew.
Norman proved herself to the "Renegades" on early patrols.
"She never complained, and always helped out when we needed – you couldn't ask for a better medic," said Bolline, Ill., native 2nd Lt. Anthony Mathis, platoon leader, Btry. A.
In August, when the Renegades and IPs took over JSS-5 after the Georgians were called back home, Norman joined them and set up shop. She teaches combat lifesaver classes to the American Soldiers and IPs, holds sick call, provides medical support on patrols and assists with details.
Norman said the camaraderie she finds between the Renegades and IPs always motivates her. She gets a kick out of knowing the guys all have different backgrounds and music preferences, but come together while deployed.
"They'll do anything for each other. It's exactly what I thought the Army would be," she said
The Los Alamos, N.M., native is torn between the adrenaline rush she feels when treating medical trauma and not wanting to see any of "her guys" injured. Norman instead finds fulfillment through knowing the Iraqis are learning valuable skills from the Americans, such as holding patrol briefs and taking CLS bags on patrols.
"I felt so good after teaching the Iraqis CLS," she said. "I smiled for about a week afterward."
She's also inspired by the initiative the Renegades take to setting up their living space. When she first arrived they were setting up their air conditioners; she, in turn, built a locking cabinet for the aid station.
"If we don't do it, who is going to?" Norman asked.
Norman said she still plans to become a doctor, most likely a trauma surgeon, after completing her military service.
| Date Taken: | 10.02.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 10.02.2008 03:05 |
| Story ID: | 24395 |
| Location: | AL KUT, IQ |
| Web Views: | 265 |
| Downloads: | 245 |
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