A citizen soldier story: Command Sgt. Maj. Michelle Thompson

Photo By Mark Otte | Command Sgt. Maj. Michelle Thompson poses for a photo during the Texas Military Department's Best Warrior competition. Thompson ws the first medic on the scene of an injury during the competition, despite being at the competition as an observer. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Mark Otte)  

TX, UNITED STATES

03.07.2020

Story by Sgt. Daryl Bradford 

100th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

“I’m a sergeant major, and I take care of soldiers,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Michelle Thompson, with 36th Sustainment Brigade. “I’m just here to help.”

Thompson put this mantra into action when a competitor slipped and broke his nose at the Texas Military Department 2020 Best Warrior Competition. Thompson was not at the competition to act as a medic but only there to observe the event. However, with blood draining from the competitor she knew there was no time to waste.

“I work in an ER,” said Thompson. “I see that kind of thing all the time. I assessed the soldier quickly. The rest of his face was fine, but his nose was crooked. I went ahead and put it back in place and pulled the clot out.”

Thompson’s military occupational specialty is 68W, an Army combat medic. She is also an emergency room nurse at Dallas Regional Medical Center. Having been a nurse for 28 years and a medic in the National Guard even longer, Thompson sees a lot of overlap between her civilian and military training.

“Medics respond no matter what your rank,” said Thompson. “The reality is, you never know when something bad is going to happen. Military training teaches you to react faster.”

Thompson says she is foremost a soldier, but she is also a valued member of the community because of those skill sets the military gave her.

Thompson didn't stop with the medic training the Army provided, continuing to educate herself and advance her civilian career as a trauma nurse.

Thompson's drive to advance her medical skills both on and off the battlefield, making her an invaluable asset in both realms, embodies the life of a citizen-soldier.

“If you have two skill sets that bond together and can pull from one and pull from the other, you’re just a more well-rounded human being,” said Thompson. “And in turn a more well-rounded soldier.”

• Date Taken: 03.07.2020
• Date Posted: 03.10.2020 20:46
• Story ID: 364944
• Location: TX, US