Photo By 1st Sgt. HollyAnn Nicom | U.S. Army Pfc. Grace Spruill, a wheeled vehicle mechanic with the 108th Medical...... read more read more
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FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. - Pfc. Grace Spruill, a wheeled vehicle mechanic with the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 108th Area Support Medical Company joined the military three years ago after going to automotive school to become a diesel mechanic for school buses.
“I was looking for a higher paying job. I saw the sign-on bonus that was offered and thought that with all the benefits this actually might be a great idea, so I signed up to join the Army.”
Once joining, the Maryland native who now lives in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, was placed in a medical company.
“That threw me for a loop,” Spruill said. “But I enjoy it because I’m able to dabble in all types of things now. I get to learn a little bit about generators, radios and medical stuff if they need me.”
Spruill gets the chance to turn wrenches on the fleet of vehicles that the 108th MCAS uses to transport troops and medical equipment, including their M997 4 litter HMMWV, which they use as their ambulance. She is also learning to maintain the company’s generators, which are crucial in powering and supplying air to the tents used for patients.
“As far as working on the vehicles, these vehicles are similar to everyday common cars. They are nothing like school buses, which are much more open and the ones I work on have Cummins engines in them,” Spruill said.
Spruill and her unit are currently participating in a culminating training event which involves establishing a medical site in a field environment and then “jumping” to another area here July 15-19, 2025.
“I’ve been looking forward to this since I heard we were going out in the field and it’s honestly been a fun experience,” Spruill said. “I love the environment, and it feels like home.”
| Date Taken: | 07.18.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 07.18.2025 17:51 |
| Story ID: | 543217 |
| Location: | FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Hometown: | DOWNINGTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 9 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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