“I have a background in mechanized infantry,” Norwegian Lt. Paul See shares after asked what brought him to the operation room that day. “I was once the guy on the table and now I’m here on the other side, and it feels better.”
As a special weapons infantry platoon commander, See specialized in small-team leadership, arduous missions and high-intensity training. He was used to the fast-paced environment and could keep up with the best of them. This is precisely the skillset the medical section of the Norwegian Home Guard 12 needed to fill when See went to re-enlist.
As the medical evacuation team trained with U.S. Marines and Sailors during Exercise Trident Juncture 18, See took a second to embrace his new role in the military. “I’ve spent my entire career leading small teams and seeing men and women injured in the line of duty, now I’m able to do something about it. I can help,” said See.
On two occasions during Trident Juncture 18, the Marines with 2nd Marine Division and Sailors with 2nd Medical Battalion hosted medical integration training with members of the Home Guard 12. Trident Juncture 18 is a large-scale NATO exercise geared towards interoperability and collective defense. It was also an opportunity for Allies and partners to come together and train in a cold-weather environment and become better, together.