Warrior public affairs officer bids farewell

NASHVILLE, TN, UNITED STATES

08.25.2009

Story by Maj. John Heil 

332nd Medical Brigade

NASHVILLE, TN - After nearly 24 years service, Maj. John Heil, 332nd Medical Brigade public affairs, bids farewell on Aug. 25 to the Army Reserve and 332nd Medical Brigade in Nashville, Tenn.

"It has been my honor to serve," said Heil, "My greatest pleasure was training Soldiers on how to engage the media and tell the Army story."

Throughout his career as public affairs officer, Heil ensured that nearly 3,000 Warriors were trained in media relations and engaging the media.

"It's extremely important for Soldiers to know that they are the best ambassadors for the Army," said Heil, "After all, I would rather have a Soldier tell their story to a journalist than the journalist try and tell it without the Soldier's input."

Heil began his career as an Airman in April 1986 with the Air National Guard, then transferred to the Army National Guard. He was promoted to sergeant in September 1987.

Heil entered the University of Georgia in September 1987, then entered the ROTC program. He was commissioned in June 1989, and then transferred to the Army Reserve.

Heil was mobilized and deployed for Operation Desert Shield in November 1990, and served in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait with the VII Corps working as a postal operations officer and liaison.

He served his first command as a first lieutenant in a personnel services battalion detachment, then after he was promoted to captain he took command of a Garrison HHC. In May 1997, he took command of the 450th Military Police Company in Nashville, and led his Soldiers through three combat support exercises; one in Louisiana and two at the National Training Center in California. He also led his command through three iterations of Operation Nuevos Horizontes in Guatemala in 1998.

In January 2000, he transferred to the 372nd Mobile Public Affairs detachment where he became a public affairs officer. As a PAO, he experienced more wartime action with two tours to Iraq. On his first tour in 2004, he served as the public affairs officer for the Third Corps on their crisis action team in the joint operations center. He worked closely with command staff and the media during his deployment.

In 2007, Heil deployed with the 3rd Medical Command to serve his third combat tour in the Middle East. He served as Maj. Gen. Ronald Silverman's public affairs officer, replacing his longtime friend Maj. Bobby Hart.

"This third deployment was my favorite deployment of the three," said Heil, "I was able to travel around the country, meet more Iraqi people than the last tour, and see first hand the great things our medical professionals were doing to heal people and save lives."

"It's amazing the level and sophistication of medical care we have," said Heil, "The technology and the way in which our medical personnel handle critical matters is incredible."

"We are healing people and saving lives," said Heil, "The survival rate for a wounded person is combat is around 98 percent, which is the highest survival rate in the history of warfare."

Heil was awarded the Bronze Star during his last tour in Iraq. His other awards include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, six Army Commendation Medals, and three Army Achievement medals, Humanitarian Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Iraq Freedom Campaign Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kuwaiti Liberation Medal and others.

Heil was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his years of service and the Army Commendation Medal for his recent work during Exercise Global Medic at Fort Gordon, Ga., in June 2009. "I didn't sign-up for the medals," said Heil, "It may sound corny, but I served for the love of my country."

Heil indicated his obligation to the country and to give back for the freedoms we have. "The country has given me so much more."

"As Gen. Douglas MacArthur said in one of his speeches - I think it was to West Point Cadets," said Heil, "Old Soldiers never die - they just fade away."

Heil is married to Barbara with one stepson, Christopher Ryan.

• Date Taken: 08.25.2009
• Date Posted: 08.29.2009 10:07
• Story ID: 38110
• Location: NASHVILLE, TN, US